2010 NHC Winners List...

[Brandon]

OK just want to say again, nothing to do with who won it. I hope I get the chance to hang with Gordon one day and drink some beer, mead, cider whatever. It is just a flaw in the system that should be fixed or at the very least be addressed by the AHA, atleast to me it is. Nobody cheated, nobody did anything wrong. It is all right there in the rules: Meads and Ciders count. I just think how the points are tabulated should only include BEER. Give out all the mead and cider awards you want to, Ninkasi should be beer only.

Isn't the Ninkasi Award given to the best Zymurgist?

Nope. And given that logic then just allow liquor and wine in the competition. A zymurgist is one who studies fermentation.

From the AHA:

Named for the Sumerian Goddess of Beer, this award is given to the brewer having the most wins in the Final Round of the National Homebrew Competition.

Hmmm. So the award is named after the Goddess of BEER, not of mead or cider. Ok so let's see, "the award is given to the brewer". wait a sec...brewer? Last time I checked you don't "brew" a batch of mead or cider. The definition (from Merriam-webster) of brew is : to prepare beer or ale by steeping, boiling, and fermentation or by infusion and fermentation. .

Stop bitchin' and start fermenting your own mead and Suck IT! (You'll eventually make good beers, someday)

People have every right to question and bring up points to an organization they are a part of. I am a proud member of the AHA and if I see something I think needs to be addressed, I will say something. You can't tell me I am the only one who thinks that the highest award of the National Homebrewers Conference (not the National Zymurgist Conference) can potentially be awarded to someone who doesn't win one single beer brewing category.

[JohnF]

Actually I would say that description is accurate. You have to be a brewer to win because at least 1 point must come from beer. A brewer may also make mead and cider and win points from those in the final round.

The NHC has made a decision to include mead and cider and I don't see a reason to relegate them to a second class status such that success there does not count towards the highest award. Maybe the name of the award leaves something to be desired.

[TimC]

The BJCP (Beer Judge Certification Program) recognizes and judges mead and cider along with beer, so I don't see why they shouldn't be included. And as John said, at least one point must be in a beer category, so while a brewer that has never made a cider or mead could win the Ninkasi, a meadmaker or cidermaker that doesn't brew beer could not.

[hopshead]

My two cents as far as national clubs go....
I think that the AHA is slow to adjust to the changes the internet is bringing to the hobby. Look how long it took for the AHA to get an online forum rather the a "list serve." I think the old mentality that a "club" exists in a location (i.e. city/town) that homebrewers are members of is also going to be slow to change.

Justin and the brewingnetwork is the "vanguard" for our hobby and the BN is definitely my "club." Justin will be able to add some thoughtful insight to bring the AHA's thinking on clubs - nationally, and derived through through internet medium, and we, the bn, will have the most awesome award winning homebrew club.

rant over.

[TheDarkSide]

So what's the consensus...is everyone going to enter as The BN next year and dominate San Diego? I'll enter The BN as my club...I just hope they don't take points away