jwalk4
Well-Known Member
Is it actually a great beer?
I have a batch of English Old Ale that I thought was by far my best beer to date. It was just phenomenal to my taste, and if I could have bought it in a bar I would have blown an entire paycheck on it. Roommates and friends thought the same.
Entered into a competition and didn't even place. Haven't seen scoresheets yet so I don't know what the specifics were, but it's making me second guess if this one is worth re-brewing for the NHC.
It was on the same table as barleywines, so part of me wonders if a 7.5% ABV Old Ale (no matter how delicious, or true to style it actually is) just seemed bland compared to 12% ABV barleywines.
I'm sure this, or something like this, has been said already, but here it goes anyways. IMO, beer competitions are a lot like dog shows. You may have a great dog; he/she is smart, obedient, and knows how to do a trick or two. However, when a judge eyes up your pooch, he /she may not think your dog stands out as an exceptional in its breed. It doesn't mean that your dog is a bad dog, it just means that Fido isn't what the judge thought of as the best example of a beagle, or spaniel, or whatever.
I'm sure your beer was damn tasty, just reading your post made me miss being in England. I hope you get good tasting notes though.