It seems one would enter a recipe they've deftly honed over several years, but no. I'm entering this first ever Rauchbier I have right now. It came out exactly how I wanted, and I need to wet my feet with something. May as well be this one.
There were a few dozen entrants in the smoked beer category last year. I expect there will be experienced competition this year. Thing is, there's a beginners category. That's cool and all, but I want to see how this does in it's style category. I don't see anything that says I "must" or "can only" enter the beginner category. And I'm not a beginning brewer, so would it even be correct to enter that just because I'm new to competing? I don't wanna look like I'm sandbagging.
Of course, the judges may score me as rat piss. I doubt it though. There were a few truly messed up brews the year I went as a guest. Mostly though, they were truly amazing. I'd buy this in a store amazing.