Beer competitions

[maplemontbrew]

After two years of upgrading my equipment and process I believe I'm producing a pretty good product. I'd like to take the next step and get some educated feedback as opposed to friends and family. I was thinking about entering a competition, not that I think I might win, but for the tasting notes I would receive from knowledgeable tasters. Sound like a good idea? If so, where do I find a competition in the general area of KY? Thanks,


Sent from my iPad using Home Brew

 

[progmac]

Here is a good place to start: http://www.homebrewersassociation.org/aha-events/calendar/

Homebrewclubs and local shops also often have very good tasters. Personally I prefer competition feedback because it is structured and compared against other similar brews.

 

[Helloworld]

Here is a good place to start: http://www.homebrewersassociation.org/aha-events/calendar/

Homebrewclubs and local shops also often have very good tasters. Personally I prefer competition feedback because it is structured and compared against other similar brews.

At my home brew club we have a few BJCPs that taste and evaluate beer as if it were a competition. OP should ask around with the brew clubs in his area. It is kind of like a mini-competition with great constructive feedback.

Here is another source for competitions:

http://www.bjcp.org/apps/comp_schedule/competition_schedule.php

 

[porterpounder]

The best feedback outside of a known local experienced source will usually come from one of the bigger competitions. The more established comps tend to pull a larger group of experienced judges. Look at the list for the MCAB:
http://www.masterhomebrewer.org/MCAB_XVII_QEs.htm

 

[Hubbs87]

Competitions are great for feedback, get 2 reviews, usually with good notes. Another could be local brew shop/ pub homebrewer nights. Dry Dock host a homebrewer night monthly and everyone shares beers and gets feedback.

 

[Darwin18]

If you're looking for feedback competitions, LHBS, or clubs would be a good start. However, most clubs and LHBS aren't necessarily going to give you the cold, hard truth. I've seen this before where a new brewer brought a rye IPA in to a club meeting that was atrocious and told us how he was entering it into an expensive local comp. I would have scored it a 15. No one had the balls to tell him it was terrible to his face, just that it could use a bit of work. I'm about 99% sure I judged this beer at that comp and I did not hold back.

Here's the list of BJCP comps coming up: http://www.bjcp.org/apps/comp_schedule/competition_schedule.php

One of the very best things that you can do to improve your beers is to participate in a competition. They are always looking for stewards and I make sure my stewards get a chance to taste the beers as well. You'll get a chance to taste good beer, average beer, and a lot of mediocre beer. There's usually a lot of knowledge at the table so you can ask questions and learn a lot.