BUTLER TWP —Benjamin Franklin is credited with stating “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.”

Attendance at the Butler Brew Fest 2010 was proof that the opportunity to sample different craft beers made many Butler County residents happy.

At least 200 people filed through the doors of the Butler Days Inn to tip back malted delights from around the region, including offerings from Sam Adams Boston Brewing, North Country Brewing, Hofbräuhaus, Penn Brewery, Sly Fox Brewery and home brewers.

An employee of Goettler Distributing in Butler, pouring samples of beer from the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co. based in Chippewa Falls, Wis., had a blister on her hand from opening so many bottles in the event’s first hour and a half.

The company had a prize wheel set up and ran out of prizes quickly, but had ample beer to make it through the night.

About 35 home brewers participated in the Sam Adams Longshot American Homebrew Contest, from which nine winners were chosen in different categories. One of those winners will advance to the national event for a shot at production as a craft beer under the Sam Adams label.

That opportunity convinced Greg Deal and partner Nick Fazzoni, both of Butler, to enter three different beers in the competition after just a year of brewing together.

“I was tired of the taste of regular beer. I was ready for something different,” Deal said.

“We kind of just talk about it and see what we want to make. We also look at the season and see what would be fun to brew.”

The pair entered a summer ale, a strawberry blond ale and a raspberry porter in the competition, their first as brewers. They said they would like to start a microbrewery called Butler Brew Works.

“It started with kits, but it’s gotten to the point now here we build our own equipment so we can create higher quality products,” Fazzoni said.

“Our goal is to change the perception of what good beer is and to bring craft brewing into Butler.”

Josh Macko of Butler and his group of friends, who he called “beer fans,” said the event was a great chance to experiment with new tastes.

“I’m trying things I would not ordinarily try,” he said.

“It’s a learning experience, really.”

For many of the local brewers the learning started at 3 B’s Tobacco & Brew in the Point Plaza, which carries all of the basics needed for home brewing.

Owner Scott Bricker, who opened the shop with his brother Randy and their late father, has been brewing beer for about three years.

“You can do anything to it,” he said.

“You can add different flavorings, different hops or grains; It’s like little kids making artwork.”

Brewers even can mix the beer with different gases, like carbon dioxide or nitrogen, the latter of which is said to give the beer a creamier head, as well as a mix of the two, called “beer gas.”

Scott’s wife Barbara Bricker said the pair had been pressing their own apple cider, then progressed to winemaking about four years ago, then beer.

“My husband and I started with wine, but he loves beer, so he decided to start brewing beer.

“It’s enjoyable, it’s fun and it’s satisfying to make it yourself,” she said.

“There’s so much anticipation. After you brew and you bottle, you can’t wait to taste it.”

Barbara Bricker said the beer needs to sit at least a week after bottling, but better flavor comes with more time in the unopened bottle.

“It smooths out the flavor,” she said.

Chuck and Michelle Jordan of Butler Township have been brewing in their home for about two years after Chuck received a brew kit for Christmas.

“I got bit by the bug, because the beer came out pretty good,” Chuck Jordan said.

“Personally, I like beer, so it wasn’t too big of a leap to making it.”

The pair has crafted an Irish stout and a porter in the past, but offered a spiced wheat brew and a wheat ale for the competition. The latter was labeled “Michelle’s Nemesis,” due to the fact she’s allergic to wheat.

“We’re trying to come up with a good recipe for a gluten-free beer so I can drink it,” Michelle Jordan said.

Chuck Jordan said many home brewers are open with their recipes so they can compare flavors.

“What I’ve learned to do is start with a recipe I like. Then, after a lot of trial and error, you find out what works,” he said.

“I was pleased I liked the first beer (I made), but I was even happier that other people enjoyed it.”

Fazzoni, too, said the first taste of one’s home-brewed beer is amazing.

“There’s some excitement and anticipation. Is it going to be good? Is it going to be horrible? The first sip is such a boost of confidence, like, ‘Hey, I can actually do this,’” he said.

Good beer even has the power to convert those who once preferred a steady diet of mainstream labels or rum-and-Coke at the bar.

“I hated beer, until I started pouring and sampling,” said Crista Ross of Butler.

“Now, it’s all I drink. It’s because brew fests introduced me to different types of beer.”

Shawn Beatty of Butler said he didn’t venture very far from Miller Lite until a friend with the Global Brewers Guild introduced him to brew fests.

“We actually go to a lot of beer fests,” he said.

“Now, my taste buds just keep changing. Brewers are getting really creative.”

With all that creativity, it takes a refined palate to judge which beer is best.

Ryan Stauffer, a renaissance man who also plays bagpipes and teaches blacksmithing and knife-making at Butler County Community College’s Heritage School, assembled the panel of judges for the competition.

Stauffer also teaches brewing at 3-B’s.

“I really thought long and hard about what type of people I wanted on there,” he said.

Stauffer said he sought people with a knowledge of brewing and agriculture, as well as a willingness to argue flavor points.

“A good beer showcases the flavors of the style it is recreating,” he said.

The Days Inn has hosted wine festival and martini fest before, and manager Trisha Sheakley said the venue would welcome back the brew fest with open arms.

“Hopefully we can do it again next year, bigger and better,” she said.