Garden County Brewers would like to announce their 2018 Competition:
"We're Not Bitter About Brexit"
Traditional English Ale Competition
Details:
Dropoff and Entry Close? Friday 11th May 2018
When? Saturday 19th May 2018
Where? The Harbour Bar, Bray, Co. Wicklow (http://www.theharbourbar.ie/)
Online Entry Here (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSckcrShrVaDiahRFwfmkBg0j5PfmWgDiG7SR7SaX5W5TpAIIQ/viewform?ts=5a772474)
Prizes:
We have a nice haul of prizes lined up, including vouchers from:
The Homebrew Company (http://www.thehomebrewcompany.ie/) €100 Voucher
Brickyard Gastropub (http://www.brickyard.ie/) €50 Voucher
thebeerclub.ie (https://www.thebeerclub.ie/) €50 Voucher
All will be revealed shortly as more prizes are on the way.
Categories:
Ordinary Bitter
Best Bitter
Strong Bitter
British Golden Ale
English IPA
Dark Mild
British Brown Ale
This competition is officially BJCP registered.
The competition will be to be BJCP Styles with one exception, please see below for our updated style guidelines of 12a to be in keeping with the overall theme and style of the competition. We really do hope now that this clears up any misinterpretation that may occur of what to enter and what ingredients to use.
In keeping with the overall theme of the competition, English hops, malt and overall English character will be the emphasis.
British Golden Ale
Aroma: Hop aroma is moderately low to moderately high, emphasis is on floral, herbal and earthy. English hops are most common. Frequently a single hop varietal will be showcased. Little to no malt aroma; no caramel. Medium-low to low fruity aroma from the hops rather than esters. Little to no diacetyl.
Appearance: Straw to golden in color. Good to brilliant clarity. Low to moderate white head. A low head is acceptable when carbonation is also low.
Flavor: Medium to medium-high bitterness. Hop flavor is moderate to moderately high of primarily an English hop variety. Medium-low to low malt character, generally bready with perhaps a little biscuity flavor. Caramel flavors are typically absent. Little to no diacetyl. Hop bitterness and flavor should be pronounced. Moderately-low to low esters. Medium-dry to dry finish. Bitterness increases with alcohol level, but is always balanced.
Mouthfeel: Light to medium body. Low to moderate carbonation on draught, although bottled commercial versions will be higher. Stronger versions may have a slight alcohol warmth, but this character should not be too high.
Impression: A hop-forward, average-strength to moderately-strong pale bitter. Drinkability and a refreshing quality are critical components of the style.
Comments: Well-hopped, quenching beer with an emphasis on showcasing hops. Served colder than traditional bitters, this style was originally positioned as a refreshing summer beer, but is now often brewed year-round. Golden Ales are also called Golden Bitters, Summer Ales, or British Blonde Ales. Can be found in cask, keg, and bottle.
Ingredients: Low-color pale or lager malt acting as a blank canvas for the hop character. May use sugar adjuncts, corn or wheat. English hops primarily used. Somewhat clean-fermenting British yeast.
Registration will be open shortly.
(http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p86/fishjam45/Mobile%20Uploads/67136FE6-F01D-45DD-B6C2-1C5858B64847.jpg) (http://s126.photobucket.com/user/fishjam45/media/Mobile%20Uploads/67136FE6-F01D-45DD-B6C2-1C5858B64847.jpg.html)
Also date for the Royal wedding 😂
Fantastic. I miss Belfast's comp
Quote from: Blueshed on January 26, 2018, 11:21:47 PM
Also date for the Royal wedding 😂
Well we did say "In keeping with the overall theme of the competition, English hops, malt and
overall English character will be the emphasis" :D
Quote from: fishjam45 (Colin) on January 27, 2018, 09:44:49 AM
overall English character will be the emphasis
(http://m.dw.com/image/19324029_303.jpg)
Quote from: Simon_ on January 27, 2018, 10:30:17 AM
Quote from: fishjam45 (Colin) on January 27, 2018, 09:44:49 AM
overall English character will be the emphasis
(http://m.dw.com/image/19324029_303.jpg)
No green bottles allowed ;)
Plus the FA cup final is on that day.⚽⚽🍻🍻
Can I ask for a clarification on 12a, British Golden Ale, which can be made quite like an american pale ale with citrusy hops. You mentioned above english hops and malt, but this is a style that pushes clean and american characteristics. Will this be ok for the comp, or not in the spirit of what you're intending and as such be marked down?
From the BJCP:
"12A. British Golden Ale
Overall Impression: A hop-forward, average-strength to moderately-strong pale bitter. Drinkability and a refreshing quality are critical components of the style.
Aroma: Hop aroma is moderately low to moderately high, and can use any variety of hops – floral, herbal, or earthy English hops and citrusy American hops are most common. Frequently a single hop varietal will be showcased. Little to no malt aroma; no caramel. Medium-low to low fruity aroma from the hops rather than esters. Little to no diacetyl."
Don't mind either way, just need to know before designing a recipe :)
Hi Molc, that's a good and fair question.
We are going with the theme of a Traditional English Ale, so in the overall spirit of the competition we would be leaning away from punchy and bold American or New World Hops. We would like to emphasise the use of English Hops.
When designing a recipe think traditional, sitting in an English Country Pub. So no, for example, Mosaic or Citra Hop Bombs getting entered.
I hope this helps,
Colin
No english porter 😢
Quote from: Pheeel on January 27, 2018, 07:36:17 PM
No english porter 😢
Pheel: The average English beer drinker would have no idea what a porter was (somebody on a railway station maybe)!
So says a Welshman!!
Top marks for the poster. :)
Will_D, will you and me enter a Welsh Pale Ale, see if anyone notices? I think Brains, maybe? Or Felinfoel?
The Competition is now officially registered with BJCP.
Quote from: fishjam45 (Colin) on January 27, 2018, 07:15:25 PM
We would like to emphasise the use of English Hops.
What about newer English hops?
Olicana tastes like passionfruit; Admiral acts like other super alphas - lots of resin - when you load up on it.
I take these are not what you had in mind....?
Like any competition, you can't judge based on ingredient provenance, only on whether the beer is on style.
If your use of new aromatic English hops takes your beer into APA territory then you are off style. It's also perfectly possible to make good English beers with US05 or new world hops.
OP has been updated guys.
Doing a little more research tonight and I came across this, worth a read for anybody doind some recipe research.
https://byo.com/article/british-bitter-style-of-the-month/ (https://byo.com/article/british-bitter-style-of-the-month/)
Entry is now open.
OP Updated.
Get Brewing ;)
Extra Points awarded for interesting beer names ;)
This should help you choose one ...
Clerks Dark Cow Worrier for me
(http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p86/fishjam45/IMG_6487.jpg) (http://s126.photobucket.com/user/fishjam45/media/IMG_6487.jpg.html)
Is there a limit on the number of entries per brewer, and also overall number of entries?
There isn't one as we didnt think it'd be an issue going by entry numbers in previous competitions.
Cool. Carpet bombing O0
That is a brilliant name generator!
So fotr me its:
Fishers Oatmeal Lobster Beater
Ingredients ordered!
Cheers,
Ostlers Heavy Goat Botherer
I was under the impression Pheel,that Porter was originally a drink favoured by London Porters and brought to Eire by a certain Londoner called Guiness!
Is this not true?
If it's fake news I think we should be told.
I would love to enter the competition but the logistics have conspired against me but perhaps one day.
John Price,Kipper Brewery,Sileby,Leicestershire.
Quote from: jp1147 on February 28, 2018, 12:54:24 AM
I was under the impression Pheel,that Porter was originally a drink favoured by London Porters and brought to Eire by a certain Londoner called Guiness!
Is this not true?
If it's fake news I think we should be told.
I would love to enter the competition but the logistics have conspired against me but perhaps one day.
John Price,Kipper Brewery,Sileby,Leicestershire.
Where are you based that logistics have conspired against you?
I've a brown ale brewed with 20% smoked malt, would it be a runner?
20% Smoked Malt, probably not - I can't see what category it would fit into.
Quote from: fishjam45 (Colin) on March 04, 2018, 07:47:49 PM
20% Smoked Malt, probably not - I can't see what category it would fit into.
Grand, was just chancing my arm really.
Having read that beer name generator tempted to finally try and brew a decent English bitter. Name of the beer will be "Weavers Nutty Ferret Lifter".
Shanna
Leave those ferrets alone Declan :P
Quote from: fishjam45 (Colin) on March 05, 2018, 03:34:30 PM
Leave those ferrets alone Declan :P
Unbelievable name I know :)
Shanna
Got my grain for this competition today. Will be brewing up a 50 pointer at the weekend :P
Nice one Mick!
I was planning on doing 3 brews in the middle of April. Might reconsider that now
There still plenty of time to make up your mind and amend entries etc.
No panic
Brewed mine today. Hopefully it turns out ok.... so far, so good :)
Nice one!
There's a few Garden County Entries getting brewed this weekend also.
Yep, bottling one now and brewing a second tomorrow. ;D
Starter time for first entry ...
(http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p86/fishjam45/3E93C05C-2EA6-4815-A582-FDCC6102F3ED.jpg) (http://s126.photobucket.com/user/fishjam45/media/3E93C05C-2EA6-4815-A582-FDCC6102F3ED.jpg.html)
(http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p86/fishjam45/F294E43C-45C8-4BA7-BE5E-5D5B43996AE4.jpg) (http://s126.photobucket.com/user/fishjam45/media/F294E43C-45C8-4BA7-BE5E-5D5B43996AE4.jpg.html)
(http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p86/fishjam45/7C521701-7D28-4903-9B6B-CF616BDBA1F6.jpg) (http://s126.photobucket.com/user/fishjam45/media/7C521701-7D28-4903-9B6B-CF616BDBA1F6.jpg.html)
Mmm must get one on this weekend and join you :)
Sent from my E5823 using Tapatalk
Quote from: molc on March 29, 2018, 10:10:13 PM
Mmm must get one on this weekend and join you :)
Sent from my E5823 using Tapatalk
There's the Gold Medal gone anyway :P
Quote from: fishjam45 (Colin) on March 30, 2018, 08:56:17 AM
Quote from: molc on March 29, 2018, 10:10:13 PM
Mmm must get one on this weekend and join you :)
Sent from my E5823 using Tapatalk
There's the Gold Medal gone anyway 
Haha I wish. My attempts at English beer have been less than stellar :)
Sent from my E5823 using Tapatalk
The lengths some of the entrants will go to in order to research their competition entry :)
Pob went all the way to England before brewing his entry, that's dedication for you :P :P
(http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p86/fishjam45/59B6665C-A594-46D2-B76F-86B181804ECF.jpg) (http://s126.photobucket.com/user/fishjam45/media/59B6665C-A594-46D2-B76F-86B181804ECF.jpg.html)
bottled a British Brown last weekend that will be making an appearance.
Colin is it too early to drop entries?
Des, if you have an entry ready then by all means drop it off the next time you are in Bray.
I'll keep it chilled here until the competition
Quote from: fishjam45 (Colin) on March 31, 2018, 07:32:11 PM
The lengths some of the entrants will go to in order to research their competition entry :)
Pob went all the way to England before brewing his entry, that's dedication for you :P :P
(http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p86/fishjam45/59B6665C-A594-46D2-B76F-86B181804ECF.jpg) (http://s126.photobucket.com/user/fishjam45/media/59B6665C-A594-46D2-B76F-86B181804ECF.jpg.html)
Jealous!!! Great bloody beer.
Who doesn't like a medal?
There'll be Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals too aswell as prizes on the day.
There's still time to brew an entry if you are thinking about it.
We are going to cap entries at 40 and we are not far off that number now, so if you haven't registered yet then please do. Any hassles etc just send me a message.
There was a few more entries from Garden County brewed yesterday.
One entrant had some happy yeast starters on the go too for their entries.
(http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p86/fishjam45/FF891276-0D11-467F-A8DC-B9D13D5D10D3.jpg) (http://s126.photobucket.com/user/fishjam45/media/FF891276-0D11-467F-A8DC-B9D13D5D10D3.jpg.html)
Second entry kegged at the weekend :). Not often I end up with 3.9% whoppers ;). Looking forward to the day - should be a good one.
I've got an entry too. Am in Leopardstown so can drop it to whomever whenever. I better get it bottled soon though as I don't think it will last long in the keg.
Brewed an English IPA on Saturday.
Quote from: mick02 on April 03, 2018, 02:34:04 PM
I've got an entry too. Am in Leopardstown so can drop it to whomever whenever. I better get it bottled soon though as I don't think it will last long in the keg.
Cheers Mick
WhatsApp me and we can organise collecting that entry.
Quote from: Blueshed on April 03, 2018, 04:11:13 PM
Brewed an English IPA on Saturday.
Nice one, doing an English IPA myself later this week.
Bottled a Strong Bitter for the comp, fingers crossed
Quote from: brianbrewed on April 03, 2018, 08:51:30 PM
Bottled a Strong Bitter for the comp, fingers crossed
Good stuff - have you registered it on the competition entry form?
Quote from: fishjam45 (Colin) on April 03, 2018, 08:53:16 PM
Good stuff - have you registered it on the competition entry form?
Registered yesterday :)
Nice one!
We are getting close to the 40 entry mark now guys so please register a beer if you are going to enter.
Thanks Colin.
I'll take entries in either Finglas or Leopardstown, and drop to Bray for anyone who needs it.
Thanks again Des
Had to do a bit of research

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180406/5a64968b7ac0e8f4e8ad389b06e56107.jpg)
& they're pint prices too!!
Last of the GCB entries brewed today
(http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p86/fishjam45/CD5EA5CD-CC6F-4096-9B3D-30AD0FE360CB.jpg) (http://s126.photobucket.com/user/fishjam45/media/CD5EA5CD-CC6F-4096-9B3D-30AD0FE360CB.jpg.html)
(http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p86/fishjam45/C6846524-2570-42E3-8BDF-7FFF94850E1A.jpg) (http://s126.photobucket.com/user/fishjam45/media/C6846524-2570-42E3-8BDF-7FFF94850E1A.jpg.html)
Have two entries entered for this but need to remove one - could someone help me out :)
Quote from: BrewDorg on April 15, 2018, 09:49:17 PM
Have two entries entered for this but need to remove one - could someone help me out :)
Can you PM either Fishjam45 or me with details you want changed.
Cheers, sent you a PM.
Just stumbled on this post now and happen to have a best bitter in primary. needs another week before I can bottle it though. when is the deadline for entries again? and I'm based in city centre. where can I drop my entry to?
Cheers,
Phil
Yes please enter it, you still have time.
Local clubs will be primary drop points. Any difficulties give us a shout and we will do our best to get your entry collected but City Centre will not be a problem.
If anybody else is thinking of entering can they pm me please and we'll do our best to accommodate you?
We've hit our capacity for entries now but there's always a couple who might not actually enter.
With regards to your actual entries and getting them collected, if entrants could communicate with their local club reps and we'll take it from there. Again, if there is any difficulties with getting your entry collected we'll do our best as in previous years to get them all collected.
Any questions? As always just give me a shout.
Entry System is now closed - we've hit our limit guys, thank you all who have entered our competition. We're delighted with the response to and interest in our competition.
If by any chance there is anybody who has entered on the entry system but for whatever reason cannot physically enter their beer could they contact us? It just means we can allow somebody else to enter.
Thanks again everybody for your entries :)
If you find a space I'll have a beer to enter!👍
Good stuff.
We are presuming one or two might drop out.
If that happens then you are first in.
Thanks
Great stuff!
Thanks!
Can we bring the beers to Brewcon for drop off?
Quote from: Pheeel on April 26, 2018, 02:58:21 PM
Can we bring the beers to Brewcon for drop off?
No. to easy for them to get damages/lost/drunk.
We will be using the Club network, as per previous competitions, so drop them off with your local Club rep (or designated person).
No worries. Thanks!
Reminder:
If by any chance there is anybody who has entered on the entry system but for whatever reason cannot physically enter their beer could they contact us? It just means we can allow somebody else to enter. There are 2 members who would like to put in an entry but cant currently as we are at capacity.
If your entry is bottled and ready to go could you please contact your local club rep / nominated drop point and organise getting your entry to them? It'd be much appreciated.
Any questions etc please free to ask here or message me.
Thanks again for your entries!!!
Is there an entry fee for this? I don't see it listed on the lead post and the entry system is closed. Tape it to the bottle or PayPal?
Payment is €5 per beer entered & is to be attached with the labels, (which will be emailed to you) to the 2 x 500ml brown glass bottles (no swing tops) with elastic bands (no sellotape)
Medals!!!
Finally got these sorted ... are you going to be bringing one of these home with you?
(http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p86/fishjam45/AFEE6EB8-E1D9-4358-99A3-FB09F5549040.jpg) (http://s126.photobucket.com/user/fishjam45/media/AFEE6EB8-E1D9-4358-99A3-FB09F5549040.jpg.html)
Wish I had made a better beer now. Those look ace!
Sent from my E5823 using Tapatalk
Mr Modesty :)
Entries have started coming in folks, thanks Des.
Competitions getting closer :)
(http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p86/fishjam45/352EC794-2621-42D0-A372-E06175806152.jpg) (http://s126.photobucket.com/user/fishjam45/media/352EC794-2621-42D0-A372-E06175806152.jpg.html)
I've an English IPA on standby if needed.
Thanks Blueshed.
You are 1st on the reserve list if anybody drops out.
A lot of entries are collected already, thanks for that guys.
Please remember to attach your labels to the bottles along with your €5 entry fee. You would have received your labels via email shortly after you registered your entry on our entry system. The entry system has stopped accepting entries as we hit our maximum amount of entries some time ago, hence the reserve list Blueshed has started.
Thanks again,
any questions message me :)
Ladies & Gentlemen,
Bottle drop off & collections close today.
The old saying of "if you ain't in, you cant win" applies here ... There's a couple of entrants who we are trying to contact and cannot get through to. If you are one of them please remember today is the last day we can accept entries from you. There's still a lot of work to do with your entries to get them sorted etc for next Saturday. So we are drawing a line in the sand today, if we don't have your entry today then your beer wont be in the competition next Saturday.
Thanks,
Colin
Entries have all been submitted and sorted into categories for judging on Saturday.
Best of luck to all entrants :)
(http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p86/fishjam45/5766F75E-A8F2-4098-BBE3-83AA6B8CA150.jpg) (http://s126.photobucket.com/user/fishjam45/media/5766F75E-A8F2-4098-BBE3-83AA6B8CA150.jpg.html)
(http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p86/fishjam45/68F00320-6FEC-4F70-8B00-81D094473296.jpg) (http://s126.photobucket.com/user/fishjam45/media/68F00320-6FEC-4F70-8B00-81D094473296.jpg.html)
Big shout out to one of our prize sponsors www.thebeerclub.ie (http://www.thebeerclub.ie) for their prize we received today. It was meant to be a beer hamper worth €50 but the good guys over there have put in well over €50 worth of a prize - there's some cracking beers in there! Below is the actual hamper.
(http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p86/fishjam45/1BBBEE3E-8F99-4113-8C1F-3FBF4D1EB3F5.jpg) (http://s126.photobucket.com/user/fishjam45/media/1BBBEE3E-8F99-4113-8C1F-3FBF4D1EB3F5.jpg.html)
In 3rd Place Adam Clarke with Brown Ale
In 2nd Place Colin Bolton Best Bitter
In 1st Place Adam Clarke Dark mild
Scoresheets to follow
Well done to all involved and thanks again for supporting and entering our competition
I'd just like to thank everybody who helped make yesterday happen.
Rossa, Colm, Des, Ronan and Gearoid - thanks guys for making the trip out to Bray and judging, we'd still be there now judging beers if it wasn't for you. Despite the DART lines being down you all got here one way or another.
The Harbour Bar - http://www.theharbourbar.ie/ (http://www.theharbourbar.ie/)
These guys are great hosts and always look after us. We hold our monthly meet here too and they are always happy to have us. Great selection of beers on tap - Thanks again.
Platform Pizza https://www.platformpizzabar.ie/ (https://www.platformpizzabar.ie/)
What a lunch these guys provided! 14 pizzas delivered to The Harbour Bar Beer Garden sorted us all out :)
The Fish Bar https://www.fishbar.ie/ (https://www.fishbar.ie/)
Gorgeous food as always from these guys too in The Harbour Bar.
O'Kellys Jewellers http://www.pokelly.com/ (http://www.pokelly.com/)
Everybody was very happy with the quality of the medals we bought from these guys.
The Homebrew Company http://www.thehomebrewcompany.ie/ (http://www.thehomebrewcompany.ie/)
Thanks again for sponsoring 1st prize of a 100 Euro Gift Voucher.
The Beer Club https://www.thebeerclub.ie/ (https://www.thebeerclub.ie/)
Thanks for sponsoring the 50 Euro beer hamper that ended up being worth a lot more than 50 Euro. There was a great selection of beers in it.
Brickyard Gastropub http://www.brickyard.ie/ (http://www.brickyard.ie/)
Thanks for sponsoring the 50 Euro Voucher.
To everyone from Garden County Brewers who pitched in and helped out before and on the day, you all know who you are. We purposely paired BJCP judges with novice/future BJCP judges from GCB as a means of introduction to judging beers and competitions to Garden County Brewers members.
Apologies as I am no doubt forgetting somebody.
Scoresheets will be sent out as soon as we can.
Thanks guys :)
Just to say that was a great, well run competition, well done to Tara and all involved.
Cheers Des