Messages

16

Homebrew Competitions / Re: NHC regional experiences

« on: April 29, 2013, 04:30:31 PM »

all entries were due at the same time, right?

I had two bottle-conditioned lagers, a fresh Kolsch still clarifying and two slightly green hoppy beers.  I rushed to get stuff ready, entered them in the later of the two regions available to me.  I had two weeks of additional cold-conditioning in Tulsa vs if they had been judged in KC.
advantage?

some got to drop off entries vs ship them.  IMO, huge advantage.

Chance to find out two weeks earlier whether I'd advanced or not? I didn't perceive it as enough of an advantage to make it worthwhile to enter KC.  YMMV.

I won a category that had only 4 entries, while just missing top 3 in one with 55.  The competition level isn't equal.

if someone has a way to run a competition where national interest level probably approaches 20,000 entries, so that no one has any advantages, I'd love to hear it.

17

Homebrew Competitions / Re: NHC regional experiences

« on: April 29, 2013, 11:09:18 AM »

I know we've had a few cover sheets not marked with a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place that did advance.  It happens.
What about ones marked with a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place that did not advance?  Anyone seen that mistake?

I'd like to see just the top 3 on each web site the second that the last region finishes judging.  But maybe it takes a long time to go through scoresheets and flight summary sheets and double check...

the reason I asked is post-Tulsa judging my name wasn't on the list of top 3 in Cat 14.  Yet my scoresheet shows up Saturday, and in addition to the 4 I knew about, my 14C says "3rd."
Hmm...maybe I'll hold off on draining that keg for a few more days.

cheers--
--Michael

18

Homebrew Competitions / Re: NHC regional experiences

« on: April 27, 2013, 12:17:22 PM »

OK  the NHC says all results have been processed!!  Now can we get the results?....or do we have to wait another week?

I dunno.  But New York was one of the first regions 'processed' and I haven't seen my score sheets yet.

that sucks.  3 weeks ago, right?  Got mine from Tulsa today, and they just finished 6 days ago.

19

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Scoresheet comment... Inappropriate?

« on: April 27, 2013, 08:13:49 AM »

On another tack - you have scoresheets back?

No sign of mine yet, and there's no results been leaked on the web.

some regions finished 3 weeks ago.  others only 6 days ago.

20

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Scoresheet comment... Inappropriate?

« on: April 27, 2013, 05:41:20 AM »

I don't think I'd be offended by it, but they really wasted their time writing something that goes without saying - if it didn't advance, and wasn't mis-categorized, then well yeah there were better beers on the table...

21

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Brewstrong

« on: April 26, 2013, 08:52:23 AM »

One thing to remember always is that BJCP os judging to style. If you send a West coast APA to Tulsa it will be treated according to their interpretation of style.

This is incorrect.

1) A 'West Coast APA' as I interpret it is edging on being out of style for 10A - Pale Ale anyway (hops edging on IPA, too dry, not enough malt support usually). It should not matter where you send it. The judges MUST use the style guidelines to judge against. If they use "their interpretation of style", then we might as well throw out the guidelines altogether.

Tulsa and KC NHC Category 10A were both full of "hop juice" entrants.  seems to be a new thing.  "Session IPA" I guess.     Agreed though. 

22

Going Pro / Re: Logo Feedback

« on: April 25, 2013, 09:08:57 AM »

You don't like DC brau?  Different strokes, I guess, but for the first brewery in the city in over 50 yeast I think it's a pretty strong brand.

I like the can...but it seems more like a Soviet look than anything 'Merican.  Don't know anything about the brewery; was this intentional?

23

Going Pro / Re: Logo Feedback

« on: April 24, 2013, 02:21:53 PM »

Trainwreck

It really bothers me that the first and last letters don't line up on the bottom.

man the engi-nerds ruin everything.



...I noticed it hours ago.   

24

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Brewstrong

« on: April 24, 2013, 07:55:31 AM »

we're certainly not perfect, and there are some bad apples.  A judge this weekend mentioned that he had lost his sense of smell a few years ago.  Wow, interesting choice of hobby...

but I think we're pretty good, and getting better.  And if I thought poorly of BJCP judges I certainly wouldn't send dozens of entries to NHC...*shrug*

cheers--
--Michael

25

Yeast and Fermentation / Re: Wlp029 got hot on me

« on: April 22, 2013, 10:21:54 AM »

this yeast can sometimes be finicky at cold temps, and in my experience doesn't necessarily need to be that cold as compared to other strains.   I pitch at 64 and let go to 67 all the time.  Last time it got out of control and hit 70 I slowly brought it back down to 67 over a day.  FWIW some guy named Hieronymous gave that batch a silver medal.

long cool lagering will clean it up and you'll end up with restrained white wine grape, very slight tartness, sometimes other fruits at low levels.  I know the fruitiness it produces doesn't appeal to everyone but I love this strain.

good luck--
--Michael

26

Beer Recipes / Re: Hopping a Kolsch

« on: April 22, 2013, 09:35:03 AM »

I think a small aroma addition can work great.  I have found FWH gives me plenty of hop flavor for this style, and as delicate as it the style is it doesn't take much to give excellent results.

27

Homebrew Competitions / Re: NHC regional experiences

« on: April 22, 2013, 09:29:59 AM »

I thought I'd bump this up to see how the other regions have faired...are we all done?

I judged Th/Fri/Sat in Tulsa.  I believe they finished up the last few categories on Sunday.

An unfortunately-timed Tulsa Craft Beer Week really ate into the local volunteer pool, but I was impressed with the organization.  The FOAM club does a nice job, and Desiree Knott is an amazing organizer.

Several judges came from Kansas, Arkansas, Missouri and Texas to help out.  Gary Glass also flew out to help, which gave us a certain street cred...not as much as if we'd had Janis, but beggers can't be choosers.   
I think a good time was had by all.  I saw a lot of really well-filled-out scoresheets.

Once again the single best improvement to this competition was the 2nd bottle. 
In review I'd be happy to send entries to Tulsa again and would judge there again, especially if they work on the local Fest scheduling to increase the volunteer pool.

any other regions/volunteers want to chime in?  Things you're happy with?  Areas for improvement?

cheers--
--Michael

28

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: JIB free

« on: April 17, 2013, 10:39:45 AM »

Did you know that overexpression of vacuolar H*-ATPase-related genes in bottom-fermenting yeast enhances ethanol tolerance and fermentation rates during high-gravity fermentation? 

Yeah, me too.   

thanks Denny!

29

Going Pro / Re: Job open in Tacoma, WA

« on: April 16, 2013, 08:20:36 AM »

create timeless Narrows Brewing "Classics".

ISO Giant Pacific Octopus Porter, and Galloping Gertie Gose.  I will probably stay away from the Tacoma Aroma IPA.

seriously though, always great to have more good breweries.  I'll be rooting for them.

cheers--
--Michael

30

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Begian Dark vs Quad

« on: April 15, 2013, 01:56:40 PM »

In my pea brain the Belgians are
Blonde, tripple and strong on the light colored side
Dubel, quad and dark strong on the dark side
Might find cherry or plum in the quad
Its keeps it simple so I can understand it

"Freedom is temporary unless you are also Brave!" - Patriot

not to be rude, but I don't see how that keeps it simple. 
there are most definitely cherry and plum flavors in some belgian dark strongs.  Even if this was not the case, is the possible presence of a couple fruity flavors/aromas enough to define a sub-style?  I don't think so.  What other differences do you see between them?

Denny's post keeps it simple - one is a subset of the other.  Using that rationale, Quad should be entered in Belgian Dark Strong. 

if Quad doesn't belong in 18E, then don't we need to know why?  What attributes knock these beers out?

cheers--
--Michael