(Boston, MA) – Here is the first of three articles coming up on the Samuel Adams Longshot Series from Boston Beer Co. Two bottles from each winner will be included in the new six-pack coming out in April 2010. Boston Beer Co. founder, Jim Koch, generally selects three winners each year: one an employee of his own brewery and two others that are not affiliated. There were four finalists vying for those other two spots with the winners being named at the GABF in late September.

As luck would have it, there were at least two firsts this year. One has to do with champ, Ben Miller, who will be featured in another article. The other first was that two of the finalists came from the same homebrew club, the Cincinnati-based Bloatarian Brew­ing League. Luck struck again when both beers were snubbed from the winning trio. Not all is lost though with one of the pair, Jason Roeper, about to start his own brewing operation, River­town Brewing Co.. He hopes to have beer on the shelves at the beginning of the new year.

Now to the winners . . . first up is Michael Robinson of New Hampshire. This was actually Robinson’s second trip up to the finalists podium in two years (perhaps another first?). Robinson’s Espresso Oatmeal Stout came up just short of a chance to be in the Longshot package last year. The year before that, Robinson contributed entries to the Samuel Adams Patriot Homebrew Competition. Again, he was a finalist with two of his beers making it to the final group of five. The winner of that competition won cash and the opportunity to pour beer at Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots.

That has to leave someone a little bitter, doesn’t it?

Robinson’s victory this year firmly establishes his place in homebrewing lore. His win is evidence that all those things are grandparents told us about, things like persistence and dedication- all that hard work pays off. Beer lovers from all over the country will be sipping down his 9% Old Ale next April.

To Robinson, that has to taste pretty damn sweet.

Label description: “Brewed with a blend of five malts and American hops, this well balanced English-style Old Ale has fruit and raisin notes with a hint of caramel in the finish. Full-bodied and slightly sweet, this brew is the perfect ending to a fine meal or to enjoy on a cool evening.”