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