We are very excited to be partnering with the DESTIHL Brewery as the host venue for our first ever 2024 Illinois Steinholding State Championship Finals! Since Steinholding is always better when there's great beer in your glass, we couldn't be happier to work with a brewery that is well known for their outstanding German beer styles! The best Steinholders from across the state will come together at the brewery in Normal, IL on Saturday October 12th, 2024 at 2:00pm where the winners will make Illinois sporting history when they are crowned the first ever Illinois State Steinholding Champions! AND they will each receive over $500 worth of prizes! This year's State Champions will ALSO receive a full Oktoberfest outfit provided by our partners at BavariaTrachten.com where you can use the discount code STEINHOLDING to get 10% off any purchase all season long! And this year the great team at German American Central Society of Peoria will also be partnering with USSA and DESTIHL as the Stein Sponsor and Judging Team for the State Finals!
There are a limited number of spots available for the finals and you'll need to compete at one of our Qualifying Venue partner locations (listed below) to qualify for the finals and get your shot at the big prizes.
1. Festivals, breweries, and bars across Illinois are hosting preliminary qualifying rounds! The winners from the men's competition and women's competition at each location will be invited to represent their qualifying location at the DESTIHL Brewery Championship Match. The different venues are listed below along with the dates and times for each competition. If your favorite venue isn't hosting a competition, tell them to get registered so you can join the fun!
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2. You can compete at DESTIHL Brewery's Oktoberfest during their Qualifying Round Competitions on September 13th and 14th, 2024 at both 6:00pm and 8:00pm and German American Central Society festival events on July 17th, August 4th, and September 20th and 21st, 2024! The winners will then be invited back to represent DESTIHL Brewery with home field advantage at the Championship!
U.S. Steinholding Association Official Steinholding Rules will be used. There will be a team of official USSA-trained judges at the finals, so study up on the rules and spend some time training to make sure your form is clean, or you won't last long in the Championship Round!
Check out the initial state competition map and venue list below. Don't see your favorite venue listed? Let them know that you DEMAND STEINHOLDING so they best sign up! We'll be announcing more locations throughout the summer as registrations come in so check back and follow us on FB and IG for updates. Remember- these venues will have limited spaces available for their qualifying rounds, so show up early and register in advance with the venue if you can!
| Venue | Address | Competition Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | German American Central Society Volksfest | Hickory Grove Park 12403 N Hickory Grove Rd, Dunlap, IL 61525 | Sunday July 7th, 2024 at 4:00pm |
| German American Central Society Bratfest | Hickory Grove Park 12403 N Hickory Grove Rd, Dunlap, IL 61525 | Sunday August 4th, 2024 at 4:00pm |
 | Great Central Brewing Company | 221 N Wood St., Chicago, IL 60612 | September 7th, 2024, time TBD |
 | Old Bakery Beer Co. | 400 Landmarks Blvd., Alton, IL 62002 | September 7th, 11th, 18th, and 25th, 2024, at 4 PM, 6 PM, 6 PM, 6 PM respectively |
 | Analytical Brewing | 510 W Main St., Lexington, IL 61753 | September 14, 2024 at 2:00pm |
 | Prairie Street Brewing Co. | 200 Prairie St., Rockford, IL 61107 | September 14, 2024, time TBD |
 | Sturdy Shelter Brewing | 10 S. Shumway Avenue, Batavia, IL 60510 | September 14, 2024, time TBD |
| German American Central Society Oktoberfest | Peoria Riverfront Park, 200 NE Water St. Peoria, IL 61603 | September 20th and 21st, 2024. Friday competitions at 8:15pm (women) and 9:30pm (men). Saturday competitions at 7:30pm (women) and 9:15pm (men). |
 | Cary Ale House | 208 West Main St., Cary, IL 60013 | September 21st, 2024 at 7:00pm |
 | MobCraft Beer Mobtoberfest | 101 N Johnson St., Woodstock, IL 60098 | September 28th, 2024, time TBD |
 | Cypress Grove Brewing Beltiefest | 1414 North 2400 East Road, Assumption, IL 62510 | October 5th, 2024 at 4:00pm |
 | DESTIHL Brewery | 1200 Greenbriar Drive, Normal, IL 61761 | Qualifying Round Competition: September 13th and 14th at 6:00pm and 8:00pm State Finals: October 12th, 2024 at 2:00pm |
Want to compete or host a competition in a State Championship tournament? Check out the buttons below for more information!
