This past weekend, the 9th edition of the Winchester Beer Cheese Festival took place in the small central Kentucky town.

I was not able to attend.

I was hoping for a first place win for Jean Bell of Hall’s On The River as the ol’ gal has put 50 years of her life into the making of the quintessential Kentucky foodstuff. Sadly, she did not.

Apparently there was a landrush on the $5 wristbands that allowed you access to Beer Cheese Boulevard. Organizers had to think quick and break into boxes from last year’s event to use year-old bands so that patrons could freely graze.

Here’s a list of the 2017 Winchester Kentucky Beer Cheese Festival Winners:

—First place: Kentucky Beer Cheese

—Second place: River Rat Beer Cheese

—Third place: Full Circle Market

—People’s choice: River Rat Beer Cheese

—Best amateur: Ben Goff

Hope to see y’all out there in 2018.

photo courtesy of Hall’s On The River

The history of Kentucky beer cheese