maddcow
Well-Known Member
I am looking to enter my first lager into a competition. With the new guidelines I am a little confused on which category I should enter it. My beer is an attempt at a Munich Helles. My efficiency got the best of me and so my OG ended up at 1.054 instead of 1.048. Not a huge deal but would like some input. I realize without actually tasting my beer it is hard to know what style it really falls under. So maybe just help me understand differences in categories so that I can choose myself. So, numbers wise, I see it would fit in 4B Festbier and 5C German Helles Exportbier. Under the old category system I probably would have put it under Exportbier but with the new category of Festbier, would I do better there? Both under the BJCP guidelines are very similar as far as body, mouthfeel, and bitterness. From my reading, I would guess that Festbier would be maltier taste-wise and Exportbier would be slightly drier and slightly more bitter. Am I right in reading this? Should I buy some of the examples under each category and see what is closest? Would I have a better chance with Festbier because its a new category? Or should I just enter it as a Munich Helles because that is what I was going for? Sorry for all the questions. Its just that is what is going through my head at this moment. Also, I will be lagering for the next 2-3 months before the actual competition so I wont really be choosing til the last minute when I know what the final product will taste like. Any input would be appreciated!