good luck my friend. Looks like we won't be competing head-to-head in anything. I've got one each beer mead and cider ready but need to pick a 4th and 5th favorite child. Driving myself nuts on best/most likely to advance/most likely to medal. As is Tradition.
cheers--
--Michael
Same here. Plus, I was sick as hell for the last 10 days or so, and my "tasting" skills have been severely hampered. I poured a quick glass of pilsner I had sitting ..... it was still hazy and tasted yeasty 2 weeks ago. Yesterday morning, it was crystal clear and tasted pretty good.... so, I ended up bottling some of those up.
Final list - Dark Mild, Best Bitter, Scottish Light, German Pils, Blonde
Helles ended up as odd beer out.
American Brown was just too "blah".... I think it would have got lost in the shuffle of bigger/assertive browns and ambers.
IPA ..... just can't bring myself to enter that category as it is always so crazy - even with a good IPA - just too hit and miss.
Something weird going on with my czech dark lager..... DMS or Diacetyl ... or both.
Had a kolsch I brewed with 1007 that I was hoping would be ready.... but, the yeast just WILL NOT drop out of it.
I was more optimistic in some years past. Just been a hectic couple months for no real reason and I just don't feel some of these are where they will need to be. Guess we will see. Best of luck to you as well.