[tomsawyer]

I've been at this all of two months, but both the KC Biermeisters event and now the Drunk Monk Challenge are both getting record numbers of entries (DMC is supposed to be close to 800).  Is this reflecting a new interest in homebrewing, in comps or both?  Or have they seen steady growth over the last few years?  Just curious.

[denny]

Based on a dramatic increase in AHA membership, I'd say the overall hobby is up.

[tomsawyer]

I could see the increase in microbreweries helping to educate the consumer, and the price of commercial craft beer causing them to want to make their own.

[tschmidlin]

Entries in our competitions jumped last year and the trend is continuing this year.  We're on our some-teenth annual comp and we never broke ~220 before.  Last year hit ~350, this year 424.  I don't know why exactly, but it wasn't a slow and steady gain.

[bfogt]

Homebrewing at the World Expo of Beer certainly took a leap in entries this year.  Nearly 900 a year after having just over 450.  Crazy growth in brewing, home and commercial, in Michigan.

[morticaixavier]

I know I brew partially (Very partially) because I can have good beer when I want it for .5 or less of the prices in the store. With the economy in the shape it has been in of late perhaps people are getting frugal like their grandparents were back in the 20s.

[jeffy]

Our Florida only homebrew competition (Best Florida Beer Championships) had a record 480 entries this year.  We also had 102 entries in the Pro Comp side of BFBC, all from little breweries in Florida.
I doubt that any of these folks entered to save money though.

[tomsawyer]

I know I brew partially (Very partially) because I can have good beer when I want it for .5 or less of the prices in the store. With the economy in the shape it has been in of late perhaps people are getting frugal like their grandparents were back in the 20s.

That could explain increased interest in homebrewing, but not comp entries.  And I'm not sure it is really a driving force behind the increase in homebrewing, though it could be a factor.

One thing, it makes getting invited to be a judge easier!  But I'm not sure I'd want to be a comp organizer.  Wow, how do you deal with double the entries on relatively short notice?  Yikes.

[hopfenundmalz]

Homebrewing at the World Expo of Beer certainly took a leap in entries this year.  Nearly 900 a year after having just over 450.  Crazy growth in brewing, home and commercial, in Michigan.

I have entered this one each year.  It has become a big one.  Maybe the second largest east of the Mississippi.  Hats off to the Cass River Club for pulling it off.

[morticaixavier]

I know I brew partially (Very partially) because I can have good beer when I want it for .5 or less of the prices in the store. With the economy in the shape it has been in of late perhaps people are getting frugal like their grandparents were back in the 20s.

That could explain increased interest in homebrewing, but not comp entries.  And I'm not sure it is really a driving force behind the increase in homebrewing, though it could be a factor.

One thing, it makes getting invited to be a judge easier!  But I'm not sure I'd want to be a comp organizer.  Wow, how do you deal with double the entries on relatively short notice?  Yikes.

Then I'll blame it on reality TV. everybody wants to be in a contest. Ahh I'm just talking out my a$$

[tschmidlin]

One thing, it makes getting invited to be a judge easier!  But I'm not sure I'd want to be a comp organizer.  Wow, how do you deal with double the entries on relatively short notice?  Yikes.

We've been working hard to increase the number of judges in the area.  In the past we took two days to get through < 200 entries, last weekend we got through almost 400 in just two sessions (~25 or 30 were taken care of Friday night).  If you have enough judges you can really get a lot done quickly.

[maxieboy]

I know I brew partially (Very partially) because I can have good beer when I want it for .5 or less of the prices in the store. With the economy in the shape it has been in of late perhaps people are getting frugal like their grandparents were back in the 20s.

That's kind of what I was thinking. Incomes may go down but alcohol consumption remains relatively stable. hic... 

[hopfenundmalz]

As Denny said the hobby is up.  It has become very popular with the people in their 20's and early 30's. 

My first NHC was Chicago, 2003.  At the last 2, I have been impressed with the influx of young people at the conference.  On the other hand, I have gotten a little older.

[tomsawyer]

We've been working hard to increase the number of judges in the area.  In the past we took two days to get through < 200 entries, last weekend we got through almost 400 in just two sessions (~25 or 30 were taken care of Friday night).  If you have enough judges you can really get a lot done quickly.

How many beers do you have a judge evaluate in a session?  I did ten each of porters and Irish/Scottish ales (in a 2hr period), that can be tough slogging.  Not that I'm complaining mind you, just challenging to find those subtle nuances of flavor in entry #10.

[tschmidlin]

We've been working hard to increase the number of judges in the area.  In the past we took two days to get through < 200 entries, last weekend we got through almost 400 in just two sessions (~25 or 30 were taken care of Friday night).  If you have enough judges you can really get a lot done quickly.

How many beers do you have a judge evaluate in a session?  I did ten each of porters and Irish/Scottish ales (in a 2hr period), that can be tough slogging.  Not that I'm complaining mind you, just challenging to find those subtle nuances of flavor in entry #10.

20 beers in 2 hours?!  Nothing that fast, we had 7 in the first session, then a mini BOS.  9 in the second session (after lunch).  About 2 hours per session, some people took longer (had more beers, started late, whatever).  It was a very relaxed pace, and I wasn't too swilly to drive home after.