My First Competition Results

[HopRunner]

I bucked up and sent four beers to a local event. Short ansewer - Didn't win anything..

Oatmeal Stout. Most useful comment "Very nice clean oatmeal stout. No Off-Flavors or aroma. Could be a little bigger but a very nice stout." Scores -38, 38(National judge #), 33, 38, 39

American Pale Ale - Most Useful - "Good pale ale! Perhaps a bit too much malt in the aftertaste, but isn't overpowering. Hopping rate is perfect." Scores - 35(National), 35, 35, 37, 35

Scottish 80/~ (National BJCP Judge) "A very good beer that matches style well. The quick drop-off in the finish hampers the full enjoyment potential." Scores - 37(National), 37, 33

Strong Ale/Old Ale - "Roasted notes dominate, could use more malt notes and complexity. Clean & well made. Doesn't really have an "old" aged quality." Scores - 31(National), 33, 34

The event was fun and met a lot of the local brewers. Next year I am going to enter more beers. I have to admit that I am disappointed that the Stout didn't win something. I think I will increase my mash temp a couple of degrees for the next competition.

[chefchris]

Awards or not those are some solid scores. So I will say congratulations to you, sir, anyways.

[BigNastyBrew]

Yes, congratulations on some very nice feedback!

[boobookittyfuk]

i can't believe that 5 judges did your pale ale....that is just insane. I bet it took all of those 5 judges 20 minutes to judge each beer....or three of them were not doing anything. It must have been annoying for them.

[HopRunner]

i can't believe that 5 judges did your pale ale....that is just insane. I bet it took all of those 5 judges 20 minutes to judge each beer....or three of them were not doing anything. It must have been annoying for them.

I know there was some training going on at this event. Out of those five results, only one was a BJCP National judge. I would be willing to bet that at least two were first timers. There has been a big push to get more judges certified and trained in this area. The growth in the popularity of hombrewing competitions is great! But there needs to be an equal growth in the number of judges.

I am really proud of the local scene. Everyone is serious about the brewing and when the call went out for more judges a lot of folks stepped up. I didn't see any ego or attitude at this event. It was very cool.

I just could not take on another thing this year. I still need to focus on my brewing, but next winter I am going to take the BJCP cert course.