Following the judging of the entries submitted for the 2025 Erie County Fair Home Brew and Cider competitions, the Best of Show winners have been selected and will be produced and distributed by Try-It Distributing to select retail locations and the Erie County Fair this summer.

Best in Show Cider | Chuck Privitera of Eden

Winning Cider: Carnival Drizzle

Chuck Privitera of Eden has been named the 2025 Erie County Fair Best in Show Cider winner for Carnival Drizzle – a modern semi-sweet cider inspired by the nostalgic flavor of a caramel apple. Crisp, apple-forward, and finished with smooth caramel notes, it perfectly captures the spirit of the Fair. Chuck derived the caramel recipe from his grandmother’s old cookbook.

Chuck is a longtime cider maker and member of the Stumblin’ Falls Homebrew Club. He also earned the Fair’s 2023 Best in Show Cider title, making this his second time earning top honors.

The Best in Show cider will be brewed by Blackbird Cider Works, and will be available on tap at the 2025 Erie County Fair and sold in retail stores.

A complete listing of cider winners is available at www.ECFair.org/cider.

Best in Show Home Brew | Dr. Mark Zambron of Buffalo

Winning Beer: Czech Out The Fair

Dr. Mark Zambron of Buffalo took home the 2025 Best in Show Home Brew title for his Czech Amber Lager, Czech Out The Fair. The beer features a floral hop character, firm bitterness, and a rich malt backbone—making it a perfect match for bold fair flavors like street tacos and cinnamon taffy.

A returning champion, Dr. Zambron is deeply involved in the fair’s homebrewing community. He helps coordinate the Niagara Homebrewers Association exhibit in the Ag-Grange Building and is passionate about the agricultural roots of brewing.

His award-winning lager will be brewed by Hamburg Brewing Company and available at the fair and select retail locations this summer.

A full list of beer winners can be found here: www.ECFair.org/homebrew.

Celebrate the Winners at Hamburg Gaming on July 15

Join the Erie County Fair for a special sampling event featuring the 2025 Best in Show Cider and Homebrew on Tuesday, July 15 at Hamburg Gaming. From 4 to 7 p.m., guests 21 and older are invited to enjoy samples, light snacks, and live music from Brother James.

The 185th Erie County Fair will be held August 6-17 (www.ECFair.org).