State Fair Beer Competion -- Blind Tasting?

**ElDuderino** · 09-10-2009, 07:13 PM

My wife and I went to the Oregon State Fair this weekend to hear the results of the beer competition. We were both amazed at how many times one guy in particular won (14 times) out of 3,600 entries altogether. No, I didn't win a ribbon. No, I'm not a sore loser (I started brewing last year and I'm the first to admit that I have a lot to learn, which is what makes brewing more fun than making a glass of Tang).

It's not my intention to question someone's skill who obviously brews a ton and undoubtedly makes stellar beers. I guess it did make me wonder if the judging is really blind, or whether the judges know who's beer they are tasting? Is it common for one person to win so many times in so many different categories?

I've only entered beers in two different contests and it's been fun each time. I'm just trying to understand the contest thing a little better.

**Homercidal** · 09-10-2009, 07:16 PM

At a state fair, you'd like to feel that the tasting is truly blind.

Recently, I took 3rd in a nearby competition, and I was amazed. I sometimes wonder if the tasters knew that one was mine, and the brewmaster was somehow giving me a hand, due to my enthusiasm.

You could always check the rules, but that doesn't mean that they actually followed them. Corruption is possible.

Or the guy is truly fabulous brewer!

**ShortSnoutBrewing** · 09-10-2009, 07:22 PM

It's quite common, at least in the comps I've been in, to have 1 brewer stand out with several brews taking awards. Just take a look at the NHBC results. You'll see Jamil placed 20 some-odd brews.

Bokonon · 09-10-2009, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElDuderino

My wife and I went to the Oregon State Fair this weekend to hear the results of the beer competition. We were both amazed at how many times one guy in particular won (14 times) out of 3,600 entries altogether. No, I didn't win a ribbon. No, I'm not a sore loser (I started brewing last year and I'm the first to admit that I have a lot to learn, which is what makes brewing more fun than making a glass of Tang).

Wow 3,600 entries? That's a ton for a state fair. The NHC last year had about 5500 entries.

carnevoodoo · 09-10-2009, 07:49 PM

3,600 sounds steep. Are you sure it wasn't like 360?

**ElDuderino** · 09-11-2009, 04:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carnevoodoo

3,600 sounds steep. Are you sure it wasn't like 360?

We thought we heard three thousand and there were a couple entries that won from out of state, but you are right, it sounds really high. It was hard to hear everything that was being said, as the PA was competing with random fair noise and alternative rock blaring from a stage behind us...

I think the guy that won must be a home brew guru.

It is an unfortunate aspect of my nature to suspect the man in the black pajamas.

carnevoodoo · 09-11-2009, 05:04 AM

You know, it is Oregon. I can imagine something like 1000. We get 750+ at our state fair comp, and it is considered one of the biggest one day comps in the country. Oregon has a big brewing community for sure.

And I totally understand how one guy can win that much. There are brewers that are just that much better.

dantodd · 09-11-2009, 10:01 AM

He sure did clean up...
http://www.oregonstatefair.org/sites/all/files/u14/2009_Homebrew_Winners.pdf

Doesn't mention the total number of entries but they did have one beer category with only 2 beers placing and only one soda placed in the soda category.

It is a BJCP sanctioned event so it is supposed to be a blind tasting.

stevea1210 · 09-11-2009, 10:37 AM

If you look at the pdf above, there is a category called sesquicentennial. WTF is that? Google says a 150 year anniversiary. How does that relate to beer. I haven't heard of it before.

**Yooper** · 09-11-2009, 12:18 PM

I just judged at a county fair in Wisconisn- it was much smaller, to be sure- but it was a blind tasting. There were some good beers, some awful beers, and a few outstanding beers. In the best-of-show round, the first place was a fantastic stout, and the second place was a kolsch. We found out later when looking at the standings that was the same brewer. He also had a couple of other beers place.

I think some brewers are just very good at brewing, especially for contest. They study the style, the water chemistry for that style, and brew to the BJCP guidelines. I've tasted some good beers that didn't score well, because they were out of style for their category. A high scoring beer meets the guidelines for the style, and has no discernible off-flavors. That's pretty hard to do!