red IPA's and bjcp competitions

Your beer seems a bit like Bear Republic Red Rocket, listed as a classic example of the Specialty Category in the BJCP guidelines.

 

Be as descriptive as possible when you enter your beer in the competition. I've had the opportunity to judge a couple of these "open" categories and some brewers don't give the judges enough info to judge the beer effectively. If allowed I would include grain and hop bill along with you intent like "An American IPA meets an American Amber".

 

How 'way off' is the gravity/ABV? Judges can't measure it, and there's a tendency (not all the time, but a tendency) for higher gravity examples to do better than low. However, how is the hop aroma/flavor? Does it fit the upper end of the amber description?

The specialty category is a tough place to compete with something as simple as a hoppy amber, IMO.

But there's nothing to stop you from entering your beer in both categories, unless your particular competition has an entry limit (rare).

 

to add to VikeMan's question, how "way off" from 14B is the color? Sounds like flavor is NOT off? Does it taste caramelly?
since it is obviously not black, I'd not take much off if the color is too dark while the flavor is on point.

depending on how big/bitter it is, there's a good chance it would do the best in 10B, though I'd expect an experienced BOS judge to kick it early if out of style. I've pretty much given up on competing in 10B, as judges keep asking for a beer that sounds like what you made.

[obligatory "send me a bottle and I'll tell you what it is!"]

cheers--
--Michael

 

My dilemma exactly...except mine could not be confused with an Amber at 7.5% ABV...going to enter it in 14B & 14C...I figure appearance is only worth 3 points anyway...as long as it smells, tastes, and satisfies like an IPA

 

change is coming

 

Even though the SRM guidelines are the same on the high end (15), I think some judges might be a little more forgiving on an Imperial IPA. It's just a really well made 10% one that I'm afraid of

 

I'd go 14B. It's one point in Appearance, none in Flavor if the judge knows what they are doing.

good luck!

 

Most judges will still look at the beer and go "this is out of style - it can't place" and thus score the beer down.

 

Enter it as an American Amber and specialty. I've had my hoppy Ambers medal many times in 10B.

 

How can it be an India PALE ale if it's RED? I am highly offended and I'm calling the PALE ALE police. Sheesh! You and those pesky black IPA folks ...

 

don't hate the playa...

specialty...although guess it wouldn't hurt to try amber and hope for a hop-head panel.

 

I disagree (see NHC Category 10 Gold Medal winner, circa 2012 and 2011), but considered adding a sarcastic remark about how it was likely that a judge would "detect" some caramel flavors based on the color.

 

I'm a little surprised at this statement. I've been judging for >20 years and have met VERY few judges (good AND bad) who would disqualify a beer from placing based on appearance alone. A black Pils should raise some red flags and eyebrows (and initiate a discussion with the competition director), but a red IPA can still score well as an IPA.

 

I don't know if I want to give up 3 bottles of IPA and $10 just to enter another contest.

The Black Pils is really a Schwartzbier...torpedo the bastard who says otherwise!

 

My problem too...now I only bottle with 12 oz used SN...my screen print/painted bottles are getting pretty rare.
One more bottling of an Old Ale and a Flanders Red and they'll be all gone...except for some nice flip top 750s and Growlers.

 

Black pils, black IPA, dark pale ale, imperial session... next thing St Patty's day will arrive and they'll have a RED ale as the green beer*...

head. going. to. asplode.

must. consume. malted. barley. beverage.

*btw, I've had exactly ONE green beer so far that was any good, and that was Freetail's "spirulina wit" from last year. Awesome witbier, colored with spirulina. The brewer there gave me the jist of how they did it (and how I could replicate it, if ever necessary). Pretty cool stuff as it wasn't just crappy beer with food coloring in it.