2011 AHA NHC - whatcha got?

[SpanishCastleAle]

The entry delivery window; 3/21-3/30, is almost here. Who's entering and what? And what's up with selecting your own region? That seemed strange. Normally I would ship to Atlanta but Atlanta isn't one of the choices (I assume Nashville took their place). I picked Texas because it had less entries.

I think I'll have 6 entries:
Mild
Strong Scotch
Helles
RIS
Vienna
Bitter

The Vienna and Bitter are a bit young and not as clear as I'd like but w/e. I suppose I still have time to gelatin them if I want to. I also have a Boh Pils and Maibock that are possibilities but still young.

 

[Yooper]

I might enter one. I haven't decided quite yet. The only thing I have is a BoPils.

 

[RighteousFire]

I'm entering an American Stout and
Dunkelweizen. Might put the brown ale in if it's ready.

 

[user 21663]

I have 3 - American Brown, Oatmeal Stout, and American Barleywine.

There are doing regions this year because a couple regions maxed out last year at 750. You have to pick a region, but it doesn't have to be near you. But all your entries need to go to that region. This way when you go to enter your beer and your region is maxed out, you can still send it in to a region that has entries open.

Last year, the Northeast and Minnesota ( NHC location ) region maxed out really early and some people were shut out from entering.

 

[AnOldUR]

Last year, the Northeast and Minnesota ( NHC location ) region maxed out really early and some people were shut out from entering.

So, it's curious that they only have one drop-off location in the Northeast. Actually only one in the entire East. It'll be interesting to see how many brewers send there beers across the country just to avoid the competition.

 

[user 21663]

Right now the NE, Indy and SD regions are leading the entries. TN could be considered East for the southern entrants and Indy's not too far West. Last year we had to send all entries the Philly, but if you were late to the game, you were out of luck.

I wonder if people would send their entries to a different region based in style. For example, a really hoppy IPA may do better in a west region than it would in the south or east regions. But then all your entries have to go to the same region so it may not be worth it in the end.

 

[pjj2ba]

I've got caught with my pipeline down, hence no beers to the HBT contest I'm finally back in the brewing groove and I've got a couple that I'm pushing a bit for the NHC

Marzen
Std American Lager
Kolsch
Irish Red

Only the last one will be properly aged so we will see. I'll be counting on the extra 2 weeks of aging

 

[bierhaus15]

I have a special bitter and brown porter I was planning on sending in, though the $14 entry fee per bottle is a bit steep for us non-AHA members. I'm also new at bottling from the keg, so I'm a bit worried about how the carbonation is going to hold up.

 

[bob1852]

APA
ABA
IPA
Pyment
Melomel

 

[Doog_Si_Reeb]

Black IPA and a Mild. My lagers aren't ready yet...

 

[FishinDave07]

I'm thinkin RIS

 

[wonderbread23]

12 beers going the PNW regional. I figure out of that, at least one has to move on.

 

[CopperHillBrewery]

Oatmeal Stout and Belgian Dark Strong Ale. I'm sending to NY.

BTW, quick question...I added some cocoa powder to my Oatmeal Stout to enhance the chocolate flavor and it is apparent. However, I'm wondering if this would still fit in the 13C category, or if it would have to go into 23A. Any thoughts?

 

[remilard]

Oatmeal Stout and Belgian Dark Strong Ale. I'm sending to NY.

BTW, quick question...I added some cocoa powder to my Oatmeal Stout to enhance the chocolate flavor and it is apparent. However, I'm wondering if this would still fit in the 13C category, or if it would have to go into 23A. Any thoughts?

Since you say it is apparent, 21A. Beers only go in 23 if they fit nowhere else and if you read the comments section of 21A things like chocolate and chillies while not strictly spices, herbs or vegetables still go there.

 

[sean6247]

I entered a Bo Pils into the competition this year. I entered my beer in the Lodi, CA region. I live about 10 minutes north of Lodi.

 

[CopperHillBrewery]

Since you say it is apparent, 21A. Beers only go in 23 if they fit nowhere else and if you read the comments section of 21A things like chocolate and chillies while not strictly spices, herbs or vegetables still go there.

Thanks for the feedback! I didn't think about putting it in this category since cocoa is not really a spice, but I forgot that cocoa powders from different regions are sold in spice stores.

 

[Brewpastor]

I have 9 entries heading to Denver. Imperial Stout, Premium American Lager, Flanders Red, Raspberry Lambic, Coffee Stout, Traditional Bock, Juniper-Aged Vanilla Imperial Stout, Raspberry Imperial Stout, American Barleywine.

I like being able to pick my region. It is cheaper and closer to send things to Denver from New Mexico!

 

[bob1852]

I chose Denver this year as well; something different, I guess....

 

[Brewpastor]

It will be interesting to see how it goes there. I have had good luck with the judges in San Diego, but Denver is more like home turf.

 

[Homebrewtastic]

I've got an all Nelson Sauvin dry hopped saison that's ten different levels of awesome. I think I'm gonna send that. My drop off is in Dallas.

 

[chromados]

Ill be sending my Dry Stout, Pumpkin Ale, Bourbon Barrel RIS, and IPA to Denver this year.

Chromados

 

[Ender]

I've got an American IPA, English IPA, Robust porter, Northern english Brown, Alt and Ord Bitter. Hopefully some will do well! Looks like Indy is closed out already.

I thought about sending my beers where there was less competition, But, hell, you gotsta step up to the plate! Want to be the best, go against the best!

 

[ayoungrad]

I have a feeling that they will close out in most areas.

I entered in NY.

An american wheat and an imperial IPA.

 

[LKABrewer]

We have six entries this year in TN: a traditional bock, an english barleywine, a cream ale, a schwarzbier, an american lager, and an amber ale.

 

[-TH-]

American IPA
APA
Sent today to Wisconsin

Does anyone know when they post first round results online? I'm trying to figure out if I would have time to re-brew if I'm fortunate enough to move on.

 

[user 21663]

Although some regions will be completed before others, the AHA usually holds out posting the results online until everyone is done. However, if your region is on the ball, you may get your scoresheets before that.

Your region has some good people in it, well organized so you may get your results quickly...unless the AHA makes them hold them.

 

[Stefano]

I put in an orange hefe and my rye pale ale. Sent them off this morning to wisconsin.

 

[SpanishCastleAle]

Does anyone know when they post first round results online? I'm trying to figure out if I would have time to re-brew if I'm fortunate enough to move on.

Per the R&R:

A. Judging

(1) First Round judging of all entries will be done at the First Round Judging Centers April 2- April 23, 2011. (Canadian entries will be judged April 11-16, 2011.)

(2) The Judging Center directors will strive to mail score sheets with judges’ comments to entrants by May 27, 2011. If any of your entries qualify for the Final Round judging, the AHA will mail you notice by the third week of May with instructions on how, when and where to send entries [three (3) bottles per qualifying entry] for Final Round judging. Contestants are advised to refrigerate or properly store potential Final Round entries to minimize changes in character. RE-BREWING recipes of entries advancing from First Round IS PERMITTED.

(3) Final Round judging of qualifying entries will be done at the AHA National Homebrewers Conference in San Diego, CA, on June 16, 2011.

So the first round judging won't be complete until April 23rd. A list of final round qualifiers will come out before the 3rd week of May but it will take a little while after April 23rd. So I wouldn't count on it before May 1st. Final round entries must arrive by June 6th. So that only gives you about a month from getting your results from the first round to having to ship the final round entries.

 

[-TH-]

So the first round judging won't be complete until April 23rd. A list of final round qualifiers will come out before the 3rd week of May but it will take a little while after April 23rd. So I wouldn't count on it before May 1st. Final round entries must arrive by June 6th. So that only gives you about a month from getting your results from the first round to having to ship the final round entries.

Ok thanks. That's what I was coming up with also. I think maybe I'll just plan on re-brewing around late april (with the expectation that I would need to ). That way my IPA and APA would be at their peak come final round...or come summer...depending.

 

[Mischief_Brewing]

I know I'm taking a big chance on this, but I'm waiting on the HBT results to determine whether I should send off my hop burst APA to the NHC...

Think we'll know by the 28th whether I've gone on the the final round in HBT?

I guess I could enter my sour cherry amber, but it's my friends and family that tell that one is good, I'm on the fence about it...