Entering Homebrew Competitions

by Bill Lynch

 

About Competitions

Homebrewers submit more than 10,000 beers into sanctioned competitions annually.  As the hobby increases in popularity so do the number of entries.  In North and South Carolina we are fortunate to be part of CBOY (Carolina Brewer of the Year) which consists of six competitions in which points are awarded for Carolina Brewclub of the Year, Carolina Brewer of the Year, Carolina Master Brewer of the Year and Carolina Meadmaker of the Year.

 

As homebrewers we are constantly striving to perfect our beers.  We are always looking for feedback from our peers.  Its one thing to give a homebrew to a novice and get a compliment but it’s significantly more gratifying to get that same compliment from a fellow homebrewer.  Likewise, it’s equally important to get criticism and advice for improving our beers from fellow homebrewers.

 

So Why Compete?

This question can be answered first and foremost by one word; feedback.  Every beer entered is judged by two judges who produce a relatively detailed judging summary of each beer judged.  Yes, we all know that judging is subjective and that occasionally judges do not provide adequate feedback or comments.  But for the most part the scoresheets received back from a competition contain enough information that will allow you to improve your beers.

 

Homebrewing is a hobby and hobbies are supposed to be fun but there’s also nothing wrong with getting a little competitive.  With this in mind, here are a few guidelines that should be considered when choosing to enter a competition:

  • Brew to a goal – Study the style guidelines and brew to them as best you can.  The guidelines were recently revised in 2004 and can be found at www.bjcp.org.
  • You’ve got to play to win – Why not enter three beers instead of one?  Or six instead of three?  Or ten instead of six.  Even beers which you consider mediocre can wind up in a flight with equally mediocre beers.  Or, quite possibly, you’re judging your own product too harshly
  • Be honest with yourself – Making award winning beers isn’t easy but it’s very doable.  Take the results of a competition and use them to improve your beers
  • Accept that judging is imperfect – Even with experienced beer judges, the subjectivity of beer evaluation leads to variability.  Accept this fact. 
  • Bask in your glory – If you take a ribbon, be proud of it.  You accomplished something that not many have done.  Share your secrets.

 

How to Enter a Competition

Since we are entering a large number of our beers in CBOY competitions, this will focus mainly on entry requirements established by these clubs.

 

Over the past few years the increase in use of on line entries has significantly improved the process of entering beers.  It makes it easier not only for the entrant but for the competition organizers to enter the entries into a database.  While the process may differ slightly from club to club (some clubs tend to share their entry programs with other clubs), the steps are basically the same:

  1. Select the beers that you would like to enter keeping in mind that entry into a competition requires that you categorize them by specific styles which have specific guidelines.  The bottles should be 12 ounce brown bottles; two or three are required for each entry depending on the club’s instructions. 
  2. Be aware of the competition entry deadline.  This is generally a week or two prior to the competition.  Typically this is the last date on which you can formally advise the club of your intention to enter.  This is not to be confused with the last delivery date for your beers.
  3. Log on to the club’s website and select the link which will bring you to the competition entry form.  For CBOY competitions, we will always advise you of the website on which to enter well prior to the competition deadline.
  4. Fill out the form which will include your name, address, whether you wish to participate as a judge or steward and, if you wish to judge, to list your judging preferences by category.
  5. Finally the form will allow you to select the category that you wish to enter and will ask you the name that you’ve given to your beer.  For beers in certain categories you will be required to enter certain additional characteristics of your beer.
  6. After entering the appropriate categories, click the Submit button.  This will return a summary sheet which will include all of the information that you had just entered.  The summary will typically include a total of the fees that are due for your entries.  Additionally, following the summary will appear bottle labels; some clubs will pre-fill them out with the entry information that you had previously entered; some will simply produce labels that you will have to fill out by hand. 
  7. Submit your entry fees by mail to the address that is contained on the club’s website.  It is a good idea to enclose a copy of the summary page that was produced.
  8. Prepare your beers for shipping or to be picked up by club members for delivery to the competition.  This includes placing the bottle labels on each entry using a rubber band and insuring that any identifying markings on the caps have been obliterated through use of a black magic maker.  The Carolina Brewmasters has traditionally made arrangements for a club member to get the beers to the competition site; this will continue to be the practice for the foreseeable future.  Full details will be announced in advance.

 

The above are basic guidelines for entering competitions.  The VP of Competitions will insure that full entry rules and deadlines are made available to all members well prior to any competitions.  If you have any questions about entering any competitions please contact Bill Lynch at brewcnc@yahoo.com.

 

Let’s flood the local competitions with entries and reclaim the CBOY club award in 2006!!