Every year I see a thread pop up AFTER registration has closed, and I always say "oh crap, I missed it!". In light of that I'm throwing this up BEFORE registration as a reminder. So who's planning on entering this year? It'll be my first shot at the big show, but I have a good feeling about a beer sitting in secondary right now.
It'll be my first time entering. I've got a dunkelweizen, barleywine, and stout that I'll be entering for sure. My english porter that I'm brewing next week should be ready by then too so I'll likely enter that. Probably a sour too.
Not I.... entering some in the all American Homebrew comp in Cincinnati though, for convenience purposes. The drop off location is 5 min from work so can't beat that! I hate shipping beers, although the NHC is obviously more legit. I'm just hoping to get some honest BJCP feedback on some of my new brews
Quite a few competitions coming up and I've got a some beers I'll definitely be entering in NHC and some I'll have to think about depending on the entry limits for this year.
I've thought about it. What do you guys do as far as a brew schedule? Do you brew to have it ready right before the first round to keep it as fresh as possible for the second round. Or do you brew a second batch for the second round? I'm especially wondering about IPAs.
I have wondered the same thing, however since the beer I am entering should just get better with some age I will just be using bottles from the same batch.
If you want feedback, the NHC is not a good competition. The short form score sheet is used to speed up judging. The familiar BJCP score sheet is used in most all other Competition s.
This seems a good strategy for ipa, especially if you suspect that you are exposed to oxygen in the bottling. For something big like a barleywine, imperial stout, or quad, a little age could help. Mind you, I am not an experienced competitor.
From what I've read, most people re-brew for the second round on styles that don't age well. And it doesn't have to be the same exact beer you enter in the second round, as long as it fits in the same category.
I will be entering an IPA because the submission dates for the NHC is about the same as 2 other local competitions that I've been planning to enter. Good luck
Entering several in NHC. Most are already bottled but brewing up an IPA this SAT to go. Also getting close to time to brew for my MCAB '16 Championship.
I've entered a couple of beers for the last few years but maybe not this year. I depends whether I have anything to style at the moment. I have 3 fullish kegs now and 5 gallons in the fermenter. The oakey, smokey RIS is delicious but I don't know it if really fits a style other than "other." The pale ale in the fermenter is good but not my best. Maybe I'll submit it, anyway. The hoppy lager in the fermenter may turn out well but I don't know whether it will fit a style.
I am in the same boat. My barleywine doesn't have the yeast esters of an english barleywine, but isn't hoppy like an american. It's too big to be an old ale or strong ale. I'm still debating where to enter it.
I signed up for 2 entries. I was happy to see that I didn't need to confirm my categories yet. Is that new?
You do that when you pay. Edits are possible right to when you enter the beers - print labels and send off/drop off.
