2008 NHC Comp First Round...

[Brewsmith]

1st Round Results

In the Strong Ale catagory in my region, the highest score was a 39.5. One of my score sheets had a 39, so I don't feel so bad. In the Stout catagory I was only 3 points away from the max. Brewpastors beer just beat me! And mine was my first ever Imperial Stout from 2005! Now that I can see the scores, I'm really happy with my results. Of the beers that did well, they are only a couple points from placing. Watch out next year...:rockin:

 

[EdWort]

So do they only take the beers that placed and send them to Cinci?

 

[Yooper]

Well, I think I mentioned I got a 37.5 in the amber ale and didn't place. It was kind of nice to see that the highest score was a 38.5 in that category in my region- I guess my beer was ok. It's funny- that is my least favorite of my beers. I think it tastes like Sam Adams Boston Ale- which I was NOT trying to emulate! I guess the judges liked it, according to their comments.

 

[Bearcat Brewmeister]

Can someone explain this one - In my region, the high score for a porter was 40.5. I am looking at my score sheets and I received a 40.5 for my porter yet didn't advance. WTF???

 

[Bokonon]

Can someone explain this one - In my region, the high score for a porter was 40.5. I am looking at my score sheets and I received a 40.5 for my porter yet didn't advance. WTF???

This happened on two of my entries as well. I received the max score that was awarded but didn't advance. I suspect there were many entries in your category so they took all the highest scores and had a mini best of show round to determine which ones advanced.

 

[Bearcat Brewmeister]

This happened on two of my entries as well. I received the max score that was awarded but didn't advance. I suspect there were many entries in your category so they took all the highest scores and had a mini best of show round to determine which ones advanced.

So you got the bone double. Eesh.

That explanation makes some sense. I would have thought that they may have done that if there were different judges doing each subcategory and they moved the top 2 or 3 from each to a mini best in category. We had 25 porters, so they probabaly had different ones for each subcat. What sucks is that 2nd and 3rd in my category came from my same subcategory.

 

[jzal8]

So do they only take the beers that placed and send them to Cinci?

Yea its just 1st, 2nd and 3rd from each category...if there are all three for that category. Something in the rules said that if a beer is rated lower than a 30 it won't be allowed to place...so that's why some of the styles dont have 3 beers that placed.

 

[Bokonon]

So you got the bone double. Eesh.

That explanation makes some sense. I would have thought that they may have done that if there were different judges doing each subcategory and they moved the top 2 or 3 from each to a mini best in category. We had 25 porters, so they probabaly had different ones for each subcat. What sucks is that 2nd and 3rd in my category came from my same subcategory.

Well my ESB took 2nd, so I have something going on. Depending on the style flights are usually like 6-15 entries. So with 25 porters thats at least 2 and maybe 3 flights. The highest scoring beer(s) in each flight go on to a mini-bos round to see what actually goes on.

I've never seen a big competition like this run, so I assume thats the way it should work. If I'm wrong hopefully someone will correct me.

 

[jzal8]

Well my ESB took 2nd, so I have something going on. Depending on the style flights are usually like 6-15 entries. So with 25 porters thats at least 2 and maybe 3 flights. The highest scoring beer(s) in each flight go on to a mini-bos round to see what actually goes on.

I've never seen a big competition like this run, so I assume thats the way it should work. If I'm wrong hopefully someone will correct me.

Thats how I understand it to work

 

[Bearcat Brewmeister]

This happened on two of my entries as well. I received the max score that was awarded but didn't advance. I suspect there were many entries in your category so they took all the highest scores and had a mini best of show round to determine which ones advanced.

Makes sense, but it is a tough pill to swallow. The highest scoring porter in the country gets a 41, but my 40.5 doesn't make the cut.

What's worse though is that I have made that beer in the past and I know I can do it better than what I submitted.

 

[EdWort]

I have not gotten any sheets and my check for my entries has not yet cleared. It arrived the day before the deadline according to my tracking number.

I'd feel better if I had my sheets back.

 

[foppa78]

I am proud to say that my porter placed 2nd in the Midwest region. I have had my score sheets for 2 weeks so I feel for those of you who have not yet received theirs.

 

[RichBrewer]

I have not gotten any sheets and my check for my entries has not yet cleared. It arrived the day before the deadline according to my tracking number.

I'd feel better if I had my sheets back.

I didn't receive a score sheet either. I do know I didn't place.
What a waste of time and money if I don't get a score sheet. That's why I entered!

 

[jzal8]

Makes sense, but it is a tough pill to swallow. The highest scoring porter in the country gets a 41, but my 40.5 doesn't make the cut.

Still, 40.5 is a pretty kick a$$ score to get on a beer, and you should feel really proud that you're producing beer that great.

My english pale moved on but the high score was a 39, so I know it didnt even touch that 40 point mark.

 

[ohiobrewtus]

Congrats to all that placed, and those that didn't and received high marks!

Anyone else notice that Jamil has 23 beers/meads/ciders advancing to round 2?

 

[jzal8]

Yea I did. I was actually a little suprised that he had so many ciders and meads entered.

 

[Ol' Grog]

I haven't got anything back on my lone entry in the Old West, but I know I didn't place. Didn't really expect to, just wondering where my favorite ranks with a "professional" judge instead of my friends saying that this is the best beer I've ever tasted. I am curious, of those of you that scored, say 25 or better, were any of them extracts? Through the years I have read how you more experienced brewers use all grain and swear by it, but I just can't seem to come to grips that that is written in stone. So my question again, how did the extracts do?

 

[EdWort]

I didn't receive a score sheet either. I do know I didn't place.
What a waste of time and money if I don't get a score sheet. That's why I entered!

Yeah, I hear ya. I'm wondering if they did not see the check attached to the bottle with the label and disqualified it? The check has not cleared yet. I'm thinking perhaps they opened the two other entries, compared the registration and saw no payment and just set them aside.

Then again, maybe my beer just wasn't good enough. Oh well. If I don't get my sheets back and the check does not clear, I'm guess that is what happened even though I followed their directions for payment.

 

[Bokonon]

Yeah, I hear ya. I'm wondering if they did not see the check attached to the bottle with the label and disqualified it? The check has not cleared yet. I'm thinking perhaps they opened the two other entries, compared the registration and saw no payment and just set them aside.

Then again, maybe my beer just wasn't good enough. Oh well. If I don't get my sheets back and the check does not clear, I'm guess that is what happened even though I followed their directions for payment.

I wish their online system included some kind of status, so you can go in and review if they have been received, damaged, or disqualified. If they were updated as they are received I wouldn't think it would be too much work, and it might allow someone time to get another bottle in or make things right somehow.

 

[EdWort]

I wish their online system included some kind of status, so you can go in and review if they have been received, damaged, or disqualified. If they were updated as they are received I wouldn't think it would be too much work, and it might allow someone time to get another bottle in or make things right somehow.

I agree, cause as it is, I won't bother with the effort next year.

 

[TexLaw]

Guys, I just need to stand up and speak for the competition organizers for a moment. I've organized a competition, helped sort entries for a couple, and judged at many others. The NHC first round judging is held like any other large competition. You have a homebrew club or some group of them working to organize and execute the regional compeitions. There is no paid staff, at least not at the regional level. They are all volunteers who have lives, jobs, and families outside the competition.

While you might think some improvements to databases and reporting might not be too much work, you tend to underestimate what is involved. First, you have to find someone with the skills. Then, from among those, you have to find someone with the time. Then, you have to find someone with the desire. It is not easy. If you really want to see some improvement, keep entering or, even better, get involved. In the meantime, please have some patience and understanding.


TL

 

[ShortSnoutBrewing]

I'd hate to think that another HBTer had their entry lost as mine was. AHA did say I wasn't the only one to have an entry lost. Other regions had problems as well.

 

[olllllo]

In my limited view of this..

all of the prizes are donated or are promotional items. The organizers truley hope to just break even. I imagine they do not always do that.

 

[RichBrewer]

I e-mails the AHA and this is the response I received from Janis Gross. It appears that they haven't sent out the score sheets for the Old West Division yet. Patience is indeed reqiuired.

Hi Richard,

Thanks for entering the 2008 National Homebrew Competition. This year there were 5,643 entries from 1,307 brewers; both of which are new records!

Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I have contacted the organizer for the Old West region regarding the status of the score sheets. The Old West Region organizer (new region and a brand new organizer this year) has not sent the score sheets out because the results had not been posted. All of the score sheets will be mailed today. I take full responsibility for the delay in the score sheets not being sent out before now, and I apologize for any inconvenience this has caused you.

 

[jzal8]

I e-mails the AHA and this is the response I received from Janis Gross. It appears that they haven't sent out the score sheets for the Old West Division yet. Patience is indeed reqiuired.

Hi Richard,

Thanks for entering the 2008 National Homebrew Competition. This year there were 5,643 entries from 1,307 brewers; both of which are new records!

Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I have contacted the organizer for the Old West region regarding the status of the score sheets. The Old West Region organizer (new region and a brand new organizer this year) has not sent the score sheets out because the results had not been posted. All of the score sheets will be mailed today. I take full responsibility for the delay in the score sheets not being sent out before now, and I apologize for any inconvenience this has caused you.

Yea, like a posted earlier in this thread, the north east organizer told me not to expext score sheets until mid may. Some regions just sent them out pretty much the day after they judged, other wait till the first round results are released.

That being said, I definitely am anxious to see mine as well.

 

[Bearcat Brewmeister]

Still, 40.5 is a pretty kick a$$ score to get on a beer, and you should feel really proud that you're producing beer that great.

My english pale moved on but the high score was a 39, so I know it didnt even touch that 40 point mark.

Thanks for the kind words. I was really hoping to advance this year since nationals are in my hometown. By the looks of the results from my region, it looks like Cincy will be well represented.

 

[Ol' Grog]

Did anybody place with an extract?

 

[RoaringBrewer]

Finally got my sheets back and am overall very pleased.

My APA scored a 27, which I kind of expected as this was my Haus Amarillo-Ale with only 25IBU or so. I was tempted to put it in the Blonde Ale category and think it would have scored better there. No negative comments or noticable off-flavors, etc. Just needed a higher mash temp (I missed way low on this one) or some more malt profile (provided by higher mash temp)...

Then the (somewhat) shocker... my Abbey Pale Ale scored 41! Got some really good comments on it. "Very good example of style..." , "Balanced and very drinkable with obvious Belgian character. Basically what one would expect from a Belgian Pale Ale." etc.

I brewed this and just kegged and forced carbed it about 2 days before the mailing deadline. Didn't even have time to use my BMBF, so I just filled a bottle as I would a growler. Overflowed it and capped on foam/liquid. The carbonation must have held the 2 weeks until judging and it must have tasted great from the comments. I was very satisfied that this simple Belgian Pale scored 41 when the top scorers in the category (43 was the high) were from 16A,C,E as opposed to 16B. So, no Belgian Pale placed, I had to be one of the better ones, I s'pose. Very pleased.

Unfortunately, I just froze the last 1/2 keg of this Belgian Pale so I'm hoping its OK once thawed! Haha...

Definitely happy with the results for my first competition. Expected the APA comments as it was a little 'light' and delightful news on the Belgian Pale.

 

[RichBrewer]

I received my score sheets today. I scored a 37.5 on my American Brown Ale. The two judged found no flaws with my beer except I should have added more hops for the style. I am pleased!

 

[Yooper]

Wow- good score! I told you that beer was good! Good job.