A Squealin’ Good Time

This year’s Real Squeal BBQ & Music Festival brought excitement, competition, and fun to Lyons as barbecue teams fought for monetary prizes and bragging rights.

It was two college fraternity brothers of Lyons Police Chief Wesley Walker that took home a total of $650, winning the Grand Champion title and both the Backyard Chicken and Backyard Ribs competitions. The team, which called themselves Pi Kappa Hog, was composed of Phil Rosomano of Jacksonville, Florida, and Steve Walsh of Moultrie. The men were unable to attend the awards ceremony to receive their prize, but Walker assured that he would inform them of the success.

B & B Barbeque was not far behind, clinching the title of Reserve Grand Champion and 2nd Place in both the Backyard competition categories, totaling $500 in cash prizes.

The Professional Barbecue Competition was fierce, with multiple scores nearing perfection. Professional Competition Grand Champion Team Yes, Dear BBQ has been competing at the Real Squeal for a decade, but never achieved the ultimate honor of being named Grand Champion until this

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year – a feat which Savannah natives Chad Warner and Frank Neagle said was truly “a dream come true.” The men took home $2,500 in prize money, as well as a spot in the Georgia Barbecue Championships.

Smokin’ Sweetmeats is also no stranger to the Real Squeal, having earned 9th Place Overall in the 2022 competition. However, this year, the team grilled their way into the Reserve Grand Champion spot, bringing them a $1,000 payout.

It was Uncle Kenny’s Take Away that blew the judges away in the sauce competition, as two of the group’s entries found their way into 1st and 3rd places in the competition.

Results Overall Professional Competition Results

1. Yes, Dear BBQ

2. Smokin’ Sweetmeats

3. Angry Jack BBQ

4. Maya Jane BBQ Co.

5. ZIPS BBQ

6. Cool Hand Que

7. QMeisters

8. Lang BBQ Smokers

9. Smoke Show Mafia

10. Bad Azz Mule BBQ

Overall Backyard Competition Results

1. Pi Kappa Hog

2. B & B Barbeque

3. Backwoods BBQ

4. Red Stag

5. Summer’s Backyard BBQ & Stew

Professional Chicken Competition Results

1. Smoke Show Mafia – Perfect Score

2. Smokin’ Sweetmeats – Perfect Score

3. Maya Jane BBQ Co.

4. Angry Jack BBQ

5. Cool Hand Que

6. Yes, Dear BBQ

7. Hickory Barbecue Company

8. ZIPS BBQ

9. Bad Azz Mule BBQ

10. QMeisters Professional Pork Ribs Competition Results

1. Yes, Dear BBQ

2. Smoke Show Mafia

3. Flyin’ Pig

4. Maya Jane BBQ Co.

5. Old Henry’s BBQ

6. Lang BBQ Smokers

7. Smokin’ Sweetmeats

8. Hickory Barbeque Company

9. Angry Jack BBQ

10. QMeisters Professional Pork Competition Results

1. Cool Hand Que

2. QMeisters

3. Smokin’ Sweetmeats

4. Off the Chain

5. Angry Jack BBQ

6. Yes, Dear BBQ

7. Willingham’s

8. Pop’s Smoke on the Hill

9. Uncle Kenny’s Take

Away

10. Hickory Barbeque Company

Professional Brisket Competition Results

1. Yes, Dear BBQ

2. Angry Jack BBQ

3. ZIPS BBQ

4. Sweet Dixie BBQ

5. Smokin’ Sweetmeats

6. 2 Live Que

7. Off the Chain

8. Altamaha River BBQ Company

9. Peckerwood Country Club

10. Uncle Kenny’s Take Away

Backyard Chicken Competition Results

1. Pi Kappa Hog

2. B & B Barbeque

3. Backwoods BBQ

4. Red Stag

5. Summer’s Backyard BBQ & Stew

Backyard Ribs Competition Results

1. Pi Kappa Hog

2. B & B Barbeque

3. Backwoods BBQ

4. Red Stag

5. Summer’s Backyard BBQ & Stew

Barbecue Sauce Competition

1. Uncle Kenny’s Take Away (Sauce B)

2. Bolden’s Best (Sauce C)

3. Uncle Kenny’s Take Away (Sauce A)

4. H.P.O. Pit Team (Sauce A)

5. Bolden’s Best (Sauce D)

6. H.P.O. Pit Team (Sauce B)

7. Bolden’s Best (Sauce B)

8. Summer’s Backyard BBQ & Stew

9. Off the Chain

10. Bolden’s Best (Sauce A)