what a difference a year makes: my first beer competition award

[jigidyjim]

I got 3rd place with a 35.5 for a Dunkelweisen I made for a local competition. Quite an improvement from last year's 28 for a Weisenbock. Both recipes were from Papazian's book.

I think the main difference was that I temp controlled the Dunkelweisen in an upright freezer. I'm sure a year of practice didn't hurt either. The Dunkelweisen was stove-top all grain, the weisenbock all extract + steeping, but again, I'm guessing temp control was the major change in quality.

 

[bob1852]

congrats! It's always nice to get independent confirmation that you make good beer!

 

[kuphish]

Congratulations! I agree - temperature control is probably what put your beer over the top. Keep it up!

 

[LeadFarmer]

that is cool.

 

[jigidyjim]

Thanks guys! Its definitely fun, especially since all my other entries in other competitions haven't been great, so it's good to know that all the tips I've read on here are helping to improve what I do.

Of course, the best part is that I actually like drinking this beer!

Thanks for all your help everyone. Now to keep improving and work on getting a 2nd place!