OBC Bung Awards

Bunged! – A Brief Description and History of the OBC Bung Awards

by Scott Sanders – January, 2008 (updated Dec, 2015)

I got Bunged! Actually, I have been Bunged twice, over the years, a fact I share with considerable pride. But what does it mean to be Bunged? Since the first Bungs were awarded, the Oregon Brew Crew has attempted to acknowledge, honor, and occasionally, share a laugh with many members and craft beer industry personalities. And, over time, the annual awards have evolved in various ways, to the point that it seems appropriate to offer a review of what the awards are intended to recognize, as well as a list of previous winners.

Golden Bung – This award is intended to honor a craft beer or homebrewing industry personality for efforts to promote or support the trade from a commercial perspective.

Red Bung – Also known as the “Beer Lover’s Award”, this recognizes the recipient’s unbridled passion for good beer, and distinguishes their efforts to share that enthusiasm with others.

Silver Bung – “Member of the Year”  This is awarded to the winner of the Oregon Brew Crew’s annual "Karma Points" competition.  Members accumulate points for various volunteering efforts that help in general club activities.  A few examples are; helping at meetings, bringing food to meetings, writing content for our monthly newsletter, helping with food at out meetings and events, volunteering at our various festival booths, taking on special projects as requested by the board of directors, etc.

Merle Gilmore Memorial Bung – (Orange Bung), this acknowledges exemplary volunteer service to the club. This award was renamed in honor of the 2006 recipient, who has since passed away.

Jim Kennedy Entrepreneurial Bung – (Purple Bung) Jim Kennedy was a long time supporter of the club, and went to extraordinary efforts to promote the understanding and appreciation of good beer as an owner and manager of local beer distribution firms. This Bung honors that same spirit in the owners and/or managers of local craft beer related enterprises.

Pulp Bung – (Black Bung) This award expresses our appreciation for the efforts to promote craft beer appreciation and education through the printed word.

Organic Bung  – (Green Bung) In recognition of efforts to promote planet friendly brewers.

Special Bung Awards – Over the years, several Bungs have been presented for special recognition of specific events or circumstances. These range from the Green Bung for Worst Homebrew of the Year, a tongue in cheek award which has only been awarded twice, (and then, only in jest,) to the "Above & Beyond" Bung which was awarded to F.H.S in 2016.

The board of directors would like to offer hearty congratulations to all winners. They are all worthy additions to the following list of distinguished Bung-ee’s.

Bungs throughout history

2015 Silver Bung Member of the Year Eric Hinson OBC Cup Charles Macaluso & Rodney Kibzey A stunning tie with 704 points each! Golden Bung Dave Vodhen & 13 Virtues Brewing Red Bung Tracy Hensley Merle Gilmore Memorial Orange Bung Brian Haslip Jim Kennedy Entrepreneurial Purple Bung Portland Craft Beer Festival Pulp Bung Brian Yaeger Organic Green Bung Clean Water Services