county fair a/k/a wtf?

[pfeuffer]

So here's the story:

The county fair accepts exhibit entries for homebrew beer. Entries must be entered into one of four categories: ( wtf#1 )

() beer
() malt
() ale
() pale ale

...then they award prizes for "best dark" and "best light".* ( wtf#2 )

This year I entered my attempt at a DFH Palo Santo Marron clone. ( I figure it's 12%+ ABV - my hydros wouldn't measure past that. ) If nothing else, I was hoping to provide the judges with a WTF? moment, and of course, you get free passes to the fair for entering.

My wife took the bottle down to the fair grounds and entered it as a "beer" described as an "imperial brown ale". Somehow, it got listed as "Imperial GROUND ale". ( wtf#3 )

When she went to pick up the entries after the fair, she returned with a different bottle, marked "imperial blonde ale". ( wtf#4 )

...which means someone out there exchanged his nice bomber bottle for my puny 12 oz.( (his) wtf#5 )**

--Mike


*I'd offer to explain the errors of their ways, but am afraid it would be interpreted as volunteering to sort it out.

** If this is you, PM me & we'll swap bottles

 

[Ace_Club]

Did you win?

 

[Revvy]

Sounds like the people who put on the county fair thought it would be "neato" to have a homebrew competition, but know absolutely nothing about beer whatsoever.

It might be a good opportunity to track down the organizers and offer to help the put on a REAL competition, with Bjcp judges and real beer categories for next year. Maybe even setup some group brewing demos there was well.

This like this are great opportunities to be a good ambassador of our hobby.

 

[wildwest450]

Exactly why I chuckle when people come on here gloating about how their beer just won an award.

_

 

[Revvy]

Exactly why I chuckle when people come on here gloating about how their beer just won an award.

_

Well, it might be different in TN, where you are, but I'm sure most of us would say this story is the exception, rather than the rule.

In Michigan, for example, all the contests I know of are BJCP sponsored events, even the State Fair (when we still had one) and the big Ren. Fest comp, are ran by one of the 12 or so brew clubs, and draw from a pretty large pool certified judges. Even the smaller club comps are Bjcp and put on by folks who know what they're doing.....

Most of the bigger comps in Mi. judge between 400 and 800 entries. So when someone from Michigan comes on and says they placed in their category or took best of show, it really is nothing to skoff at.

 

[EoinMag]

Damn even if they knew nothing of beers or styles surely the accolade of having the best tasting beer there, which is subjective of course, would be something would it not?

 

[Homercidal]

Doesn't TX actually have a state description of what a "Beer" is, compared to say a lager or an ale? Something to do with ABV?

But I'm not sure what constitutes a "dark" beer. The lady at the haircut place said she thinks Heineken is dark. "Well it's darker than Bud Light!" You got me there lady.

 

[bknifefight]

What score/feedback/place did you get?

 

[pfeuffer]

Yes, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission has some strange definitions that are based on ABV, and not traditional beer styles. That must drive the commercial folks nuts.

As for the county fair, homebrew is part of the canning division. There were maybe a beer dozen entries this year. There are usually more homemade wine entries than beer. There are hundreds of jams, jellies, fruits & veggies entered in canning.

I suppose I should just be glad that they have a category for beer at all. I just thought the whole thing was amusing.

Sadly, I didn't win, but then again, I didn't really expect to. The Palo Santo was way too left field to have much of a chance. I did have a really nice Arrogant Bastard clone that would have done much better, but the keg blew before I got around to pulling a bottle. oops. Maybe next year.

 

[McHaven]

I believe Texas classifies beer as under 4.9abv, and "ale" is anything above that. Got a nice average lager? Congratulations, in Texas, it's an ale.

 

[geneb]

a beer dozen entries

Is that kind of like a baker's dozen?


I'm with you, though.. I just wish the fairs around here -had- a homebrew competition. Looked at the website for the state fair (which we'll be going to on Saturday) and they proudly display information about their wine contest, but nothing about beer.

 

[Revvy]

Is that kind of like a baker's dozen?


I'm with you, though.. I just wish the fairs around here -had- a homebrew competition. Looked at the website for the state fair (which we'll be going to on Saturday) and they proudly display information about their wine contest, but nothing about beer.

Then start talking to the promoters/planners of the state fair, and the folks who put on the wine comp about the possibility of them adding beer, ciders and meads next year. There's plenty of info on the Homebrewer's Association webiste about comps, and how to start them. And I betcha there's a ton of other homebrewers in your state and your area that are wanting the same thing.

I never looked at stats, but I bet you there's more homebrewers than wine makers in this country, or if not, it's mighty close.

On that webiste there's probably a "contact us" email to the planners of the fair, pitch the idea to them.

Like Ghandi said, "Be the change you wish to see in the world."

 

[geneb]

Then start talking to the promoters/planners of the state fair, and the folks who put on the wine comp about the possibility of them adding beer, ciders and meads next year. There's plenty of info on the Homebrewer's Association webiste about comps, and how to start them. And I betcha there's a ton of other homebrewers in your state and your area that are wanting the same thing.

I never looked at stats, but I bet you there's more homebrewers than wine makers in this country, or if not, it's mighty close.

On that webiste there's probably a "contact us" email to the planners of the fair, pitch the idea to them.

Like Ghandi said, "Be the change you wish to see in the world."

I considered doing that this year, but I am in the process of starting a homebrew club (First meeting is tomorrow. If anyone in the Abingdon area wants to stop by shoot me a message and I'll tell you where) so my hands are pretty full at the moment. Maybe next year once the club is completely off the ground we can try to get the local county fair to have a homebrew competition since the state fair is 6 hours away.

 

[KayaBrew]

All this from the state that gave us "W" and Rick Perry. Awesome.

 

[rhamilton]

All this from the state that gave us "W" and Rick Perry. Awesome.

Its better than Oklahoma. Ever heard of a near-beer?

 

[unionrdr]

Yup. Replaced real beer during prohibition. Wasn't very popular at all. Then hopped malt syrup appeared on store shelves,& put the last nail in Vevo's coffin. And the blue collar boys do say the definition of retarded in Texas is pretty wide...Wrong people in the wrong jobs.