Messages

31

Homebrew Competitions / Re: NHC regional experiences

« on: April 29, 2013, 07:30:21 am »

• If we know some regions are a bit slow, why are we still sending our beers to them? Somewhat local and well organized are my requirements for any competition. If I wasn't allowed to enter my beers in KC, I would have picked either Tulsa or St. Paul because I know they can run a great competition.

Amanda, last year my region was Philly and I had my scores back in a few days.  Obviously they are a little busy this year so NYC picked it up.  The year prior was Saratoga Springs, and you can look back at old forum posts on that one. 

I hope Philly decides to do it again next year.  Otherwise you may see my entries heading your way.

32

Homebrew Competitions / Re: NHC regional experiences

« on: April 29, 2013, 06:17:44 am »

There's a rather long thread on Homebrewtalk regarding the first round results and inconsistencies in each region (which have sent to a member of the GC so they could be aware for next year ).  Some are valid, like the scoresheets for some regions being sent out the next business day while other regions judge the same day haven't sent them out yet (not going to say who but it rhymes with Blue Snork Ditty  ). 

Others are ridiculous, like saying "how hard is it to enter info into a database and put them online".  Very few of us (me not included) knows how much work Janis puts into getting the results posted.  Some are just comical, like the poster who said the reason region 11 had so many issues is that people in NYC are just busier than everyone else.

Everyone likes to throw the "perceived advantage" thing around but having 3-4 extra weeks to rebrew one or more of your entries is definitely an advantage.  I have no problem waiting for the May 4th deadline, but feel that some will have a 4 week jump on others just doesn't seem fair.

I'm not sure how to fix it and don't envy those who are assigned the task.

33

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Brewstrong

« on: April 29, 2013, 06:01:37 am »

as if Jamil is Homebrew Jesus.

Jamil isn't Jesus...he's the Pope.

That really bothers me too. It isn't like it's a call-in show. If you have the questions ahead of time, how can you not research the answers? I don't listen to all the shows, but it seems like there's at least one factual error per episode.

A lot of the questions do come from the live chat.  On several occassions, I have heard Jamil and John Palmer (oh yeah...he's on this show too) say they don't know the answer rather than give false information.

As I've said before on Homebrewtalk, Beer Advocate, etc...If you don't like the show or how it's run, don't listen and let others form their own opinions.  I haven't listened to BBR for years (unless there is something specific I'm researching ) because I find it very dry and boring...like watch golf on TV, while lying on the couch but it would reccommend to anyone looking for brewing information so they can check it out themselves.

I guess I won't be seeing a bunch of you at BN8 then 

34

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Competition results - Bad addition on one of my sheets - what to do?

« on: April 25, 2013, 04:45:38 pm »

Oh okay - I was out of St. Paul.

I live on the border of Maine in Milton.  You?

I'm in Derry.  I am a member of the Seacoast Homebrew Club in Portsmouth.  We meet at A&G Homebrew on the 2nd Wednesday of each month.  We are going to be doing a Big Brew event on May 4th in the A&G parking lot, starting around 10am.  You should stop by.

35

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Competition results - Bad addition on one of my sheets - what to do?

« on: April 25, 2013, 03:32:28 pm »

The more I look around, the more I realize that maybe I shouldn't have posted this so quickly.  I don't want the venue to get into trouble sending out the results too early.  This was my first competition (well since 1995) and was excited to get my results :-)

Regarding the other topic, I would definitely steward one of these events but they need to be a lot closer to my home (Northern New England)!

I haven't heard back from Janis but to be honest, I know that she's quite busy so I wasn't expecting one.

Thanks everyone for their posts.
perogi.

I wouldn't worry about getting the site in trouble.  I think a majority of them have sent out their scoresheets (except NY  ) and believe they were instructed to do so.

As far as local comps, I know there's one coming up in Lowell on June 1st (Merrimack Valley Homebrew Comp) and there's always the New England Regional Homebrew Comp in October.  Last year it was in Nashua.

What part of NH are you in?

36

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Brewstrong

« on: April 24, 2013, 08:05:13 am »

I am not a judge or ever judged (hope to change that someday soon) so I wouldn't ever call these guys morons.  Jamil, on several occassions, has opined about some of the judges abilities to fill out scoresheets or their lack of skill in filling out these sheets.  He's even listed examples from nationally ranked judges.

Another area that he's complained about, and Gordon Strong has agreed with, is telling people how they brewed something just by tasting the beer.  His thoughts are how a judge can know a person's specific brewing process by detecting a flaw, when that flaw could be the result of several factors regardless of their process.

One of the reasons I haven't become a BJCP judge yet is I'm not confident in my ability to judge a beer according to style.  I'm trying to increase my knowledge before doing so.  I know there's a seriuos shortage of judges but is it better to have that than a flood of judges who don't know what they're doing.

37

The Pub / Re: Another reason to be a homebrewer

« on: April 22, 2013, 05:40:14 am »

I am glad they took him alive.  Now they can beat some answers out of him.  It's was really strange seeing the scenes from the bombing site, since I worked down in that area for 6 years and walked up and down those streets several times.

Massachusetts is having a moment of silence at 2:50pm EDT today, and all the church bells in Boston are going to ring in memory of those who lost their lives and those injured in the blast.  Gov. Hassan has asked everyone in NH to do the same at 2:50pm.

38

Events / Re: Big Brew Day 2013

« on: April 19, 2013, 11:35:19 am »

The Seacoast Homebrewers will be brewing in the parking lot of A&G Homebrew Supply/Earth Eagle Brewings in Portsmouth, NH. Here's the info:
    Event Name or Location: A&G Homebrew Supply.
    Contact Name: Gretchen McDonald.
    Street: 165 High St.
    City, State: Portsmouth , NH.
    Country: USA .
    Website: www.aghomebrewsupply.com
    Event Description: BIG BREW DAY! We'll be brewing in our parking lot with the Seacoast Homebrew
    Club for the third year running. Want to brew, too? Just call the shop at 603.767.8235. Or just stop by
    for some great conversation, to see brewing in action and enjoy this downtown Portsmouth activity. We
    are also celebrating our 2nd Anniversary. Cheers! Free; outdoors; 10am-3pm.

We'll probably have somewhere between 7-10 brewers doing their thing!

39

Events / Re: Big Brew Day 2013

« on: April 19, 2013, 10:48:59 am »

There are actually 3 recipes:

http://www.homebrewersassociation.org/pages/events/national-homebrew-day/recipes

But some of us are brewing others as well.

40

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: budweiser yes, but kind of cool

« on: April 17, 2013, 10:13:08 am »

I bet it was intended to be the shape of a woman, since cans normally stand upright.  But they are saying bowtie so they don't get protested.  But we all know the average Bud drinker is going to look at it and say,"Damn...that's hot"

41

The Pub / Re: Why I run Windows

« on: April 17, 2013, 06:42:35 am »

Windows 8 is the new era Windows ME and Vista.  We'll stick with Win7 at work for the time being.  We sill have a ton of XP machines.

42

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: New brew pot suggestions

« on: April 17, 2013, 05:43:05 am »

I have the 10 gallon Megapot from Northern Brewer with brewometer and ss ball valve.  I only do 5 gallon batches as well.
 
http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/megapot-with-ball-valve-brewmometer.html

Solid kettle.  Sometimes with my 90 minute boils, it can get really close to the top but a little Fermcap-S and a spray bottle in hand takes care of that.

43

The Pub / Re: Damn right!

« on: April 15, 2013, 08:45:56 am »

HA!

Best line in the article:

Rykoff concluded, "Once again, the Yankees have figured out yet another way to charge a superior price for an inferior product."

Of course you could change "charge" with the word "pay" and have it still apply.

44

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Lagering in corny kegs

« on: April 11, 2013, 11:06:24 am »

All my lagering is done in kegs.  The first couple pints will be cloudy, but clear as a bell after that.

45

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Brewing Attire

« on: April 08, 2013, 01:44:21 pm »

don't fear the foam

fear leads to anger.
Anger leads to hate.
Hate leads to the dark side....

Actually I93 North to Rte 102 East leads to TheDarkSide, but thanks for playing