So think about it. Do we want to recognize the club with the most points in the competition or not? If not, what should we be recognizing?
Kinda wondering if you actually did read all 20 pages of this thread because I'm pretty sure that most folks chatting here clearly state they want this to be a competitive award and not solely be for the 2 clubs that actually have enough entries to win this award. If it's going to remain a tonnage style award, then I would like to see Radegast and Gambrinus elevated with more pomp and circumstance as both those awards are equally achievable for all clubs and AHA members, unlike COTY.
Yes, I read it, although I admit to only skimming the novel you wrote on p. 9.
The question I am asking is not "Do we want Club of the Year to be more competitive?" Separate the name from what the award is actually for. Do we want to recognize the club with the most points in the competition or not? Yes or no? I think it is an impressive achievement. As impressive as most points in the 2nd round (not currently an award)? No. As impressive as most final round points per entry (currently the Gambrinus Club of the Year award)? No. But still really cool.
Perhaps the answer is to rename Homebrew Club of the Year to Juggernaut (thanks theDarkSide), and create one based on second round points only.
The BN Army is a club if they want to be a club. They don't need a board, a charter, a constitution, articles of incorporation, dues, or a meeting to be a club. The only requirement to be a club should be a group of brewers that share a common bond and have a desire to be together as one.
I would agree with this, especially since two out of three clubs I belonged to would not be considered clubs if this was required. And neither one is the BN club.
As for Justin and his influence, he is not on the competition committee and to my recollection has never commented to me at all about anything related to the competition or tried to influence any decision in any way. Except I think one year after the banquet he said he wished QUAFF would have won Club of the Year that year.
And as for melliott2811's comment that "the GC could change things", the GC does not change anything. We are an advisory group, not a board of directors. We make suggestions and provide feedback, the AHA makes the changes. Sometimes we agree, sometimes we don't.
Oxford commas forever, double space after periods always, and someone please send me a message with the horrific thing that was said, sorry I missed the members meeting in San Diego.