Beer Forum

I'm entering my beer in the Foam on the Range comp in Denver next month, and as I look at the recipe sheet, I realize that I have NO freakin clue on some parts of this.

Examples: OG, FG, how much yeast I pitched, the exact acid % in my hops, the brand of malt (not the type, I know that)...

Is this okay? Can I still enter?

That typically won't need that stuff unless you win, at least that is how most comps go. How do you not know your og and fg??

For some people, brewing is an art, not a science. My friend rarely takes readings. Although, he isn't going for repeatability or hitting style... just good beer. He usually succeeds.

Thirsty Mallard wrote:For some people, brewing is an art, not a science. My friend rarely takes readings. Although, he isn't going for repeatability or hitting style... just good beer. He usually succeeds.

Agreed, but if you entering a comp you are going for style and will typically have readings. This might be his first comp and why he doesn't have those readings. I don't always take mine either and if I do, they are quick guestimates and I don't typically write them down, I just make sure that it is finished. Since I moved to AG, I keep track of the numbers a lot more often because I am trying to nail my system down. Anyway, for future reference if you plan on entering a comp it is good to at least know these numbers in case they ask.

I haven't taken a reading in probably 10 years. I am so out of habit for it that when I entered our local club's contests, I estimate it using pro-mash. I meant to take readings for my Apple Cider since I wasn't sure what the sugar content was, but forgot.

I agree with Thirsty Mallard, it's definately more of an art to me than a science.

BrewBum wrote:That typically won't need that stuff unless you win, at least that is how most comps go. How do you not know your og and fg??

The reason is that there is a design flaw in the plastic tube that holds the hydrometer. If you drop the hydrometer into the tube, it pushes the bottom of the tube out as it falls, hits the floor, and breaks. So, my hydrometer is broken and I haven't bothered to get a new one.

mfischer2 wrote:

BrewBum wrote:That typically won't need that stuff unless you win, at least that is how most comps go. How do you not know your og and fg??

The reason is that there is a design flaw in the plastic tube that holds the hydrometer. If you drop the hydrometer into the tube, it pushes the bottom of the tube out as it falls, hits the floor, and breaks. So, my hydrometer is broken and I haven't bothered to get a new one.

Yikes, ok, that is a good excuse.

Hey Matt,

I'm going to enter too, I was planning on bullshitting my way through some of that stuff, some of it seems a little excessive.