The Steinley Cup, started in 1996, is Wyoming's official state microbrew competition. Only Wyoming microbrewers are eligible to compete for the cup, a large traveling trophy modeled after the famous hockey cup.
The tournament is held the third Saturday in August at Saratoga, Wyoming's Veterans Island Park, and is open to the public for a small admission charge.
The event draws brewers from all over the state and has a bigger selection of brews to sample every year.
The Steinley Cup trophy itself is awarded by a panel of brewing experts from Colorado, who judge each year's competition brew in blind tasting. Competition brews are decided by the tournament official, Lady Steinley, in April of each year, based on a cycle of brew types as follows: pale ale, wheat beer, stout, amber ale[?], and pilsner[?].
Festival-goers also get to vote on a people's choice award, which is open class.
Past winners of the competition are as follows:
Steinley Cup Winner: Bowman's Brew Pub, Laramie - Happy Jack Pale Ale
Steinley Cup Winner: Sierra Madre Brewing Company, Saratoga - Winkin' Willie's Wild Wheat
Steinley Cup Winner: Snake River Brewing Company, Jackson - Zonker Stout
Steinley Cup Winner: Snake River Brewing Company, Jackson - Pheasant Tale Red Ale
Steinley Cup Winner: Sierra Madre Brewing Company, Saratoga: Golden Dabloom Pilsner
People's Choice Winner - Bitter Creek Brewing Company, Rock Springs: Roadkill Ale
Steinley Cup Winner: The Library Restaurant & Brewery, Laramie - Buffalo Brown Ale
People's Choice Winner: Bear River Brewing Company, Evanston - German Ault
Steinley Cup Winner: Big Horn Brewing Company, Cheyenne - Big Red IPA
People's Choice Winner: Bear River Brewing Company, Evanston - Trout Teaser Pale Ale.
