Messages

166

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: My problem judging first round

« on: April 19, 2010, 01:30:14 PM »

I seem to have hit on a magical OTC one-two punch for mine. I take loretadine (sp) everyday so I have lately added in Sudafed (without the regulated stuff) and it keeps me tame even on the harshest of pollen days. Lucked upon the combo this week when I was down for the count with an allergy migrane on Tuesday. Judged this morning without even a sniffle. Better living through chemicals 

Hi Mike,
Even better is to use the homeopathic remedies that are out now.  Vitamin Cottage, Whole Foods, etc. should have them.  I've used the tinctures with great success.  I am also getting acupuncture treatments for my allergies.  This is my best year since I was 17, and I highly recommend this treatment!

Cheers,
   Janis

167

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Is the NHC for rich people?

« on: April 19, 2010, 01:23:40 PM »

This isn't a dig at the NHC. I think the costs for submitting entries is fair considering how much they have to do for this thing. I just wonder if the way some people blast the competition with entries, makes for a less welcoming kind of competition. Especially when in the Midwest region this year, they reached their max. I can guarantee you there were a number of people who spent literally hundreds of dollars on entry fees to enter beers in almost every category. Meaning some people who wanted to enter, could not. Seem silly to anyone else?

I'd like to see the NHC put a cap on how many beers you can submit. The competing for the Ninkasi award just seems like it gets a little out of hand. Anyone else? This is just my 2 cents.

Hi Senor Pantalones,
Thanks for your suggestion on how the National Homebrew Competition (NHC) can be improved.  I will add your suggestion to the list that the the AHA Governing Committee's Competition Sub-Committee will consider for next year's competition.
Cheers,
    Janis

Janis Gross
National Homebrew Competition Director
AHA Project Coordinator
janis@brewersassociation.org

168

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Warner's "German Wheat Beer" - clarification needed

« on: April 05, 2010, 09:33:37 AM »

Hi Kaiser,

3 L/kg = 1.3 qt/lb

Cheers,
   Janis
   National Homebrew Competition Director
   AHA Project Coordinator
   janis@brewersassociation.org

169

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: NHC re-brewing question

« on: April 05, 2010, 09:29:21 AM »

I entered an imperial brown in the specialty beer category.  I'd like to brew a similar recipe this weekend that I could enter in the second round on the off-chance my beer makes it.  Since its the specialty beer category how similar would the beer need to be to the first beer?  For example- could I enter a black IPA instead of an imperial brown or does it need to be of the same base style? I ask because I'd like to brew a black IPA this weekend but I have no more of the imperial brown and who knows whether I'll go through to second round.

Thanks

Hi Cliff,

Re-brewing is allowed for any style entered in the National Homebrew Competition.  Unfortunately, you have to submit the same style that was originally entered; that is, I doubt a black IPA would fare as well in the judging since it would be judged as an imperial brown ale, which is how the entry is described in the competition database.

Good luck in the competition!

Cheers,
    Janis Gross
    National Homebrew Competition Director
    AHA Project Coordinator
    janis@brewersassociation.org

170

Homebrew Competitions / Re: Northeast registration is CLOSED?!?!?

« on: March 31, 2010, 01:19:52 PM »

I understand that it was open for 5 or 6 weeks. I made the decision to wait because 2 of the beers I wanted to send werent ready yet and I didnt want to take up spots without knowing for sure if I would be sending those beers or not.

spots are only held for 24 hours if they're unpaid, they would have opened back up if you decided not to send them in

Huh.  I registered my beers a few weeks ago and did not get around to paying for them until last week when I added my final entries.  The beers originally entered were still there in the system.  Guess I was lucky?

Hi guys,

The 24-hour "rule" only applies when a region has hit the registration limit.  Because the system has no way of knowing why the entries are not paid, unpaid entries older than 24 hours are deleted to make room for more entries below the limit until the limit is reached again.  Many entrants this year chose to pay for the entries when they registered them, so there wasn't a lot of room opened up before hitting the limit once again.  Any new entries made during the opening between hitting the limit have 24 hours to pay for the entries before they are deleted, etc.

Cheers,
   Janis Gross

NHC Director
AHA Project Coordinator
janis@brewersassociation.org

171

Homebrew Competitions / Re: 2010 National Homebrew Competition

« on: March 31, 2010, 01:04:35 PM »

This is just an inquiry, not a complaint... but why do the Canadians get an extra week to get their entries in? Inquiring minds would like to know? 

Hi Jeff,

As one of the largest competitions in Canada, the ALES Homebrew Open competition is the annual homebrew competition of the Ale & Lager Enthusiasts of Saskatchewan club. The schedule for this competition, the money to run it, and the entry fees are all determined by the ALES club. 

This competition acts as the qualifying competition for all Canadian entries to the Final Round of the AHA's National Homebrew Competition (NHC).  In order for winners in this competition to advance to the Final Round of the NHC, the entry must have scored 30 or more points, the same criteria as for the winners of the First Round in all 9 of the US regional competitions.  Canadian entries that advance must then pay an entry fee for the Final Round of the NHC, and they must ship their entries and maneuver Customs in order to compete.

Cheers,
   Janis

NHC Director
AHA Project Coordinator
janis@brewersassociation.org

172

Homebrew Competitions / Re: Northeast registration is CLOSED?!?!?

« on: March 30, 2010, 11:44:08 AM »

Hi Curt,

I should be the one apologizing to you.  I am a procrastinator by nature myself, and I don't hold any illusions that I wouldn't have been caught by this rule myself. I'm sorry for the way I worded my reply.

Many large or established clubs can pull off a huge competition, but the organizers of the regional competitions for the NHC don't have the same resources.  The NHC regional organizers and judge coordinators are all volunteers, some of whom belong to clubs that have their own competitions.  Trying to pull off two large competitions in a year can be draining for the people involved.  I think this is especially true if one person organizes the NHC for two or more years in a row.

I'd like to be confident in every regional competitions' ability to run a good competition, do it within budget, and give the entrants the best feedback possible, and the entry limit helps me do that.  If you have constructive ideas that can help this competition in the future, please share them with me or anyone on the Competition Sub-committee, and we'll consider them and get back to you.

Another thing you can do is to volunteer to help with a regional competition as a judge, a steward, or in some other way.  The more people who get involved, the more entries we might be able to accommodate. 

In any event, the state in the Northeast with the highest number of entries last year was PA, followed by NY, MA, NJ, CT, MD, etc.  I hope this helps.

Cheers,
   Janis

173

Homebrew Competitions / Re: 2010 National Homebrew Competition

« on: March 30, 2010, 11:04:02 AM »

Hi everyone,

Two regions have hit the maximum number of entries (750) as of Monday afternoon.  Those regions (Midwest and Northeast) are now restricted from taking any further entries. The entry limit rule was decided upon by the AHA Governing Committee's Competition Sub-committee as the best way to ensure the judging integrity for the competition.

Each year I examine the entries on a state-by-state basis with some additional criteria, to adjust the regions based on a prediction of the entries they are likely to receive.  Unfortunately this year, the adjustments for the Midwest region (location of the Conference in June) were not enough to prevent the entry limit from kicking in.  The entry totals from this year will be taken into account for next year’s competition, and the regions will be realigned as needed to prevent the limit from being reached again, if possible.

I'm sorry if you were caught by the entry limit this year, and I wish you better luck next year.

Cheers,
    Janis

Janis Gross
NHC Director
AHA Project Coordinator
janis@brewersassociation.org

174

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: AHA club only competitions, how to get on the list?

« on: March 30, 2010, 10:07:11 AM »

Does anyone know how a home brew club gets on the "list" to host one of the club only competitions? Any info on this will be appreciated

Hi Bo-Gator,

You can contact me to get the Club-Only Guidelines document, and to put your club on the list.  The next opening on the schedule is September/October 2013. 

Cheers,
    Janis

Janis Gross
National Homebrew Competition Director
AHA Project Coordinator
janis@brewersassociation.org

175

Homebrew Competitions / Re: Northeast registration is CLOSED?!?!?

« on: March 30, 2010, 09:52:57 AM »

I was disappointed to find out that there was no room in a NATIONAL competition for my beer. War of the Worts, a local competition in the same area, had more than 800 entries and had no problems getting it done.

Maybe it is time to redistribute or add another region in the Northeast. I think the only way to really determine who has the best beer is to give everyone a shot.

Hi Curt,

This is the first year we have had one region hit the limit, much less two!  The Midwest Region is also closed.

Every year I evaluate the number of entries for each region on a state-by-state basis to determine if realignment is necessary.  This year was no exception, but the changes were mainly centered on lowering the entry count in the Midwest region due to the Conference being held there this year.  I effectively increased the number of states in the East region, South region and, Northwest region,  and decreased the number of states in the Midwest and Southwest regions.  I will certainly look at the regions that have hit the limit this year when I realign the regions next year.

The online registration was live on February 26 this year (5 days earlier than last year) because the deadline was moved up one week (April 1).  I'm sorry you weren't able to register your entries earlier; I hope you have better luck next year.

Cheers,
   Janis

NHC Director
AHA Project Coordinator
janis@brewersassociation.org

176

Homebrew Competitions / Re: Northeast registration is CLOSED?!?!?

« on: March 29, 2010, 09:45:23 PM »

Hi Babalu87,

I have to say I'm quite surprised by this turn of events myself.  This is the first time that we have had a region hit the limit since the limit was put in place.

You may still be able to enter your beers.  The system will delete entries that were made over 24 or 48 hours ago (I don't recall which it is right now), but that have not been paid for.  Keep checking the online registration because new openings will occur.

Good luck in the competition!

Cheers,
     Janis Gross
     NHC Director
     janis@brewersassociation.org

177

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: NHC shipping. The adressee gives it all away!

« on: March 26, 2010, 09:48:23 AM »

Hi Enso,

You might try shortening the address to Home Sweet HB.  I like the maple syrup answer.  Good luck in the competition!

Cheers,
Janis Gross
NHC Director
janis@brewersassociation.org

178

Homebrew Competitions / Re: 2nd Annual Mead Free or Die

« on: March 12, 2010, 11:30:01 AM »

Hahahahaha, like I have nothing to do during the month of April, especially on the weekend when the Old West Region is judging.  I'd love to be able to fly out for your competition, but I'll be too busy this year to get away from work.

When are you coming out for the Mazer?  I'll probably miss you unless you come by the offices.  We have our BJCP exam that Saturday, so I'm not signing up to judge the Mazer this year.   

I hope to see you!

Cheers,
Janis

179

Homebrew Competitions / Re: 2nd Annual Mead Free or Die

« on: March 12, 2010, 11:19:44 AM »

Michael,

I'm tempted to enter, but I'll have to assess the remaining quantities.  Mmmmmmmmead!   

Cheers,
Janis   

180

Homebrew Competitions / Re: 2010 National Homebrew Competition

« on: March 12, 2010, 11:13:46 AM »

I just wanted to add that Canadians can also qualify for the NHC by entering here:

http://www.alesclub.com/index.php/competitions/details/21-homebrew-open-2010

(my apologies if this doesn't belong in this thread)

Thanks, Mark!

The ALES club competition is indeed the Canadian qualifying competition for the AHA's National Homebrew Competition.  All Canadian entrants should visit the link you posted and submit their entries to the qualifying competition.  All competition details are available at www.alesclub.com and http://www.homebrewersassociation.org/pages/competitions/national-homebrew-competition/participate.

Cheers,
Janis Gross
National Homebrew Competition Director