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Old 04-20-2009, 02:49 PM   #1
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Default Entering Competitions: Some Q's...

2 initial questions:

1 - Does presentation matter? Like what bottle you use, what the label looks like, etc? For example, will a plastic PET bottle fair worse than a 16oz flip-top glass bottle? Is a flip-top glass bottle OK to use?

2 - How do you choose which shows to enter? I don't want to just do my local ones...

That might be more than 2 questions!
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Old 04-20-2009, 02:56 PM   #2
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Just about every contest I have entered wants NO presentation whatsoever, no labels, and nothing on the cap (they usually recommend you just use a black marker over your code on the cap.)

There may be a seperate contest for label art, but that is not a consideration in your brewing.

I only do local competitions, mailing/shipping beer is a bit of a pain...So I do the Michigan State Fair (which had over 800 beers last year) and the Renaissance Festival, and any local club competition I heare about...Next year I will probably do longshot. I had planned ot do it this year, but didn't know that as opposed to most competitions that want 2 bottles, they require four...and I didn't have enough of the beer I wanted to enter.
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Old 04-20-2009, 02:58 PM   #3
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Most competitions require a plain brown bottle with no label, embossing, etc. This is to eliminate any chance of identifying who made the beer. Typically, the only label is rubber-banded to the bottle and it has your entry number and style category on it.
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Old 04-20-2009, 02:59 PM   #4
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Thanks guys... do the actual bottles matter? Can you enter flip-tops?
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Old 04-20-2009, 03:00 PM   #5
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Most of the time, no. They want plain ol' 12 oz capped bottles. Again, there shouldn't be anything special about your bottle to distinguish it from others.
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Old 04-20-2009, 03:01 PM   #6
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Quote:
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Thanks guys... do the actual bottles matter? Can you enter flip-tops?
Flip-tops are a no-go for every competition that I've ever entered, but it pays to check the specifics of the comp you are planning on entering.

12 oz, no embossing, crown caps; usually 2 bottles per beer entered.

Good luck! Entering comps is an awesome way to get unbiased, objective feedback on your beers - but it can be a blow to the ego.

Jason
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Old 04-20-2009, 03:03 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fastricky View Post
Thanks guys... do the actual bottles matter? Can you enter flip-tops?
Every contest is different, and they will have the rules someplace...nowadays just about every BJCP sponsored contest uses some sort of online registration/printed and rubberbanded labels. You would find the rules there.

I don't know about flips, but the ones I enter allow for all sizes of crown bottles though...but what I do, is if I bottle anything in bombers or my antique pint bottles, is to bottles a 6-er in 12 ounce bottles...that way I can enter contests, and not worry about not getting back any of the other bottles....I hate parting with my pints especially.
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Old 04-20-2009, 03:07 PM   #8
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Thanks again! So how do you guys pick which you'll enter?

I worked in an industry where award shows are a huge part of promoting yourself, so I know all about the massive disappointment and groaning to come!
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Old 04-20-2009, 03:17 PM   #9
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Here is an article I recently read that might help a little.
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Old 04-20-2009, 03:19 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fastricky View Post
Thanks again! So how do you guys pick which you'll enter?

I worked in an industry where award shows are a huge part of promoting yourself, so I know all about the massive disappointment and groaning to come!
Well I don't brew specific for a contest, I got that advice last year from someone here....I choose my best beers at the time of the contest, but I also have set aside a sixer of any of the more interesting beers I brew, to re-evaluate at contest times....

I've got my Oaked Smoked version of my Brown Ale set aside since I brewed it late last year, as well as a few of the un oaked versions.

I also may enter my chocolate Mole Porter this season, as well as the swartzbier and vienna lager I ghetto lagered.

But it all depends a week before the contest deadline, what I will enter...I will taste them and evaluate them and then decide.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Madman
Revvy's one of the cool reverends. He has a Harley and a t-shirt that says on the back "If you can read this, the bitch was Raptured.
Quote:
Originally Posted by YooperBrew
I gotta tell ya, just between us girls, that Revvy is HOT. Very tall, gorgeous grey hair and a terrific smile. He's very good looking in person, with a charismatic personality... he drives like a ****ing maniac!
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