Anyone enter the National homebrew competition yet?

[jnacey]

I have not received an email, nor am I able to log in to the competition website. I get the same error message as BGBC.



I also tried capitalizing my email address just in case, still got the same error message.



Are others having the same problem?

I am. I emailed AHA, no reply yet.

 

[BGBC]

Well, at least I'm not alone

 

[atom]

I have not received an email, nor am I able to log in to the competition website. I get the same error message as BGBC.

I also tried capitalizing my email address just in case, still got the same error message.

Are others having the same problem?

samsies.

 

[sburnt]

BGBC, atom, jnacey, and any others in this predicament -- if you hear back from AHA, will you let us know? Thanks!

 

[raysmithtx]

I have not received an email, nor am I able to log in to the competition website. I get the same error message as BGBC.

I also tried capitalizing my email address just in case, still got the same error message.

Are others having the same problem?

It may be that you have to login to the regular AHA site first and then login to the competition website.
Try going to http://www.homebrewersassociation.org/ and logging in. Then under the Competitions tab click on "Registration and Entry". The third section of that page is the Editing and Paying for Entries section. In that section there is a link to the Competition Website. Click on that link. Then on the next page enter your user name or email address and for the password you have to enter your AHA membership number.

That should do it.

 

[mbbransc]

For ppl having problems, the email (when/if you receive it) has this note in it:

Entrant notifications are being sent in staggered groups, but if a large number of entrants are attempting to access the software at the same time you may experience slow speeds. If this is the case, you may come back later to finish your entry payment, so long as it is completed by the deadline of 11:59 PM Eastern Standard time on Friday, February 12.​

I have a feeling you'll be notified soon. I asked for (3) spots in Nashville and got them.

 

[BGBC]

It may be that you have to login to the regular AHA site first and then login to the competition website.
Try going to http://www.homebrewersassociation.org/ and logging in. Then under the Competitions tab click on "Registration and Entry". The third section of that page is the Editing and Paying for Entries section. In that section there is a link to the Competition Website. Click on that link. Then on the next page enter your user name or email address and for the password you have to enter your AHA membership number.

That should do it.

It doesn't look like there's any difference if you log in to the AHA website first or go directly to the competition website. There's no SSO in place or anything.

I don't have any issue logging in on the AHA site, but my username is not recognized on the competition website.

 

[jnacey]

It may be that you have to login to the regular AHA site first and then login to the competition website.
Try going to http://www.homebrewersassociation.org/ and logging in. Then under the Competitions tab click on "Registration and Entry". The third section of that page is the Editing and Paying for Entries section. In that section there is a link to the Competition Website. Click on that link. Then on the next page enter your user name or email address and for the password you have to enter your AHA membership number.

That should do it.

That doesn't work, nor does requesting a password. When I registered I was brought to a confirmation page, but I noticed yesterday that I never received a confirmation email.

 

[BGBC]

That doesn't work, nor does requesting a password. When I registered I was brought to a confirmation page, but I noticed yesterday that I never received a confirmation email.

Hm, I did get a confirmation email

For ppl having problems, the email (when/if you receive it) has this note in it:

Entrant notifications are being sent in staggered groups, but if a large number of entrants are attempting to access the software at the same time you may experience slow speeds. If this is the case, you may come back later to finish your entry payment, so long as it is completed by the deadline of 11:59 PM Eastern Standard time on Friday, February 12.​

I have a feeling you'll be notified soon. I asked for (3) spots in Nashville and got them.

Thanks for posting this. I already sent an email in, but I'll sit tight for now.

 

[sburnt]

Hm, I did get a confirmation email



Thanks for posting this. I already sent an email in, but I'll sit tight for now.

Yes, thanks. I guess I'll wait... with bated breath.

 

[sburnt]

FYI -- I still haven't heard anything.

 

[BGBC]

FYI -- I still haven't heard anything.

No word yet here either.

 

[mbbransc]

Ok, might need to worry now.

 

[brewshki]

5 entries for SD. Entering a combo of proven recipes and ones I can't figure out what's wrong with...

 

[Qhrumphf]

5 entries for SD. Entering a combo of proven recipes and ones I can't figure out what's wrong with...

Save the ones you're looking for diagnostics. With the checklist scoresheets used at NHC, you probably won't get the feedback you're looking for. If you just want feedback, enter in a local comp or take to a homebrew club. NHC is really only for entering to win.

Just my advice.

 

[brewshki]

Save the ones you're looking for diagnostics. With the checklist scoresheets used at NHC, you probably won't get the feedback you're looking for. If you just want feedback, enter in a local comp or take to a homebrew club. NHC is really only for entering to win.



Just my advice.

Darn. That's disappointing. I was hoping this would be the best feedback. My theory was that the best judges would turn out for this one. I have a witbier where something is just super odd and I have no idea what it's issue is.

 

[Qhrumphf]

Darn. That's disappointing. I was hoping this would be the best feedback. My theory was that the best judges would turn out for this one. I have a witbier where something is just super odd and I have no idea what it's issue is.

In theory, yes. More higher ranked judges tend to be on hand for NHC. However, not always. The small number of Certified+ judges I had last year was infuriating (I'm used to having at least one National+ judge per flight judging my beers, last year I think I had one where the highest was Recognized, I entered 4 beers, and I think I only had ONE National judge on any of them, and no one higher than that, I usually get at least a Master judge or two).

However, even then, it's a different scoresheet. Rather than the normal written one, NHC uses the faster checklist sheet. Some judges will still write notes. But there's a lot less room to write. So ultimately you may get a more accurate perception out of NHC judges, but you won't necessarily get the same level of feedback. Now if there's an off-flavor you can't diagnose, they may be able to point it out for you, but simply saying it's there only goes so far.

 

[bob1852]

Darn. That's disappointing. I was hoping this would be the best feedback. My theory was that the best judges would turn out for this one. I have a witbier where something is just super odd and I have no idea what it's issue is.

In theory, you'll get the best perception of your beer.

That may help YOU figure out what's wrong, but many people incorrectly assume that competition score sheets (even if they weren't using checklist scoring) can improve recipes/techniques.

Since judges don't see the recipe and don't know your technique, they can really only guess about what improvements to suggest (which we're really not supposed to do anyways).

But, comp feedback can be helpful in identifying off flavors (certain esters, phenols, astringency, etc.) that you may not detect, or not know the terminology (it's hard to correct something if you can't define it).

 

[brewshki]

In theory, yes. More higher ranked judges tend to be on hand for NHC. However, not always. The small number of Certified+ judges I had last year was infuriating (I'm used to having at least one National+ judge per flight judging my beers, last year I think I had one where the highest was Recognized, I entered 4 beers, and I think I only had ONE National judge on any of them, and no one higher than that, I usually get at least a Master judge or two).



However, even then, it's a different scoresheet. Rather than the normal written one, NHC uses the faster checklist sheet. Some judges will still write notes. But there's a lot less room to write. So ultimately you may get a more accurate perception out of NHC judges, but you won't necessarily get the same level of feedback. Now if there's an off-flavor you can't diagnose, they may be able to point it out for you, but simply saying it's there only goes so far.

That's fair. Well I have 4 good recipes that are definitely going in. The one issue one may have an off flavor but I dont know how to describe it. Maybe I'll
Start a thread here asking for some help. Thanks for the advice!

 

[Qhrumphf]

Since judges don't see the recipe and don't know your technique, they can really only guess about what improvements to suggest (which we're really not supposed to do anyways).

This is a good point as well, and it applies to all competitions, not just NHC. A lot of times when judging I get beers I will swear are new brewers who know something is wrong and don't know what, but without being able to work through their process, I can point out what's wrong, offer suggestions as to what MIGHT fix it, but if I can't sit down with you and go over your recipe/process I'm just making educated guesses.

If you want to diagnose a problem, give to an experienced judge/taster/brewer/your homebrew club and go over it in person where you can discuss recipe and process.

 

[atom]

still waiting to hear... this was my first attempt at entering the NHC. if it's going to be this difficult. it'll be my last.

 

[rwing7486]

still waiting to hear... this was my first attempt at entering the NHC. if it's going to be this difficult. it'll be my last.

This is my first year as well. Did you select multiple judging locations or only one?

 

[atom]

This is my first year as well. Did you select multiple judging locations or only one?

philly primary, nyc as an alternate.

 

[rwing7486]

philly primary, nyc as an alternate.

Maybe you can go in and add more locations? I put Chicago as my primary (which I ended up getting) but I also listed every other location as an alternate - except for the 3 locations on the west coast

 

[Braufessor]

still waiting to hear... this was my first attempt at entering the NHC. if it's going to be this difficult. it'll be my last.

Saw this on the AHA site:

"Thanks for your question, cytorunner.
If you haven't received the confirmation e-mail telling you how to login to the 2016 National Homebrew Competition (NHC), rest assured that we are still trying to get all applicants into the competition. Everyone who applied during the week of February 1-7, will have communication from the AHA by February 17th. Thanks for your patience.
Cheers,
John"

https://www.homebrewersassociation.org/forum/index.php?topic=25901.0

I think it will get straightened out early this week. They may be trying to deal with some sites that were undercooked vs. those that were overbooked.

And, if you think the process is "difficult" now...... you should have been entering a couple years ago when you literally had to be sitting at your computer, at work, ready to enter when it opened up..... make sure nothing froze or crashed on your computer, and get your entries in within minutes to ensure you got anything entered.

The current process, in regard to difficulty, is light years ahead of where it was 3-4 years ago.

 

[atom]

And, if you think the process is "difficult" now...... you should have been entering a couple years ago when you literally had to be sitting at your computer, at work, ready to enter when it opened up..... make sure nothing froze or crashed on your computer, and get your entries in within minutes to ensure you got anything entered.

The current process, in regard to difficulty, is light years ahead of where it was 3-4 years ago.

thanks. i know it used to be way worse...which is why i never entered before.

 

[sburnt]

Thanks atom and Braufessor. I am also still waiting to hear... chose Philly as primary, multiple alternates.

 

[brewshki]

so...can you not edit entries once you have paid for them? I paid earlier to get it done but did not have the time to put in all of the details. anyone else having this problem?

 

[carvetop]

so...can you not edit entries once you have paid for them? I paid earlier to get it done but did not have the time to put in all of the details. anyone else having this problem?

You can definitely edit entries after payment.

 

[brewshki]

You can definitely edit entries after payment.

more than the name and style?