A quick note on the biggest homebrew competition this side of the water...
As last year we are going to run the competition over 2 days in 2 locations. The first leg will be in Galway with the Galway homebrewers hosting. The second day will take place in Dublin. Venues are tba. Again, entry numbers will be limit and entry fee will be similar to last year with a member discount.
Dates for your diary -
Feb 21 - Galway
March 7 - Dublin
Bottle collection cutoff - approx Feb 7th tbc.
Details-
As last year (with full details available on the competition website that is currently being updated and to be launched again in the next month or so).
2 x 500ml bottles power entry, as last year - the 330ml did not work for us last year at all.
We had a great contribution last year from stewards and judges and we will need it again to make next year a success. If you want to get involved keep an eye out on the forum for ways to do so or contact me directly.
FULL UPDATED INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND HERE: http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.ie/competition/entry (http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.ie/competition/entry)
Jeez, you're worse than the christmas adverts! Hallowe'en first!
Only joking, of course. I've beers planned already. Can't wait to get involved again.
Yay! Looking forward to it :)
Can we have a "Best Brewer who isn't BrenMurph Award"? :P
Best brewer can't enter two years in a row....

(runs and hides)
Only kidding.
I wasn't around last year, so don't really know much about the styles for this. What can be entered?
Just a thought - how about a wine section this year? Pretty sure I can get hold of a wine judge or two :)
Quote from: molc on October 10, 2014, 11:45:29 AM
I wasn't around last year, so don't really know much about the styles for this. What can be entered?
It's done using BJCP guidelines. All styles accepted.
http://www.bjcp.org/2008styles/catdex.php
Quote from: Dunkel on October 10, 2014, 12:06:39 PM
Just a thought - how about a wine section this year? Pretty sure I can get hold of a wine judge or two :)
Wine would be a great addition but what size bottle would you be thinking?
I'd say a standard 75 cl bottle!
Its not like beers that go into BOS Just put the cork in and its fine!
Quote from: Will_D on October 10, 2014, 10:42:22 PM
I'd say a standard 75 cl bottle!
Its not like beers that go into BOS Just put the cork in and its fine!
Interesting.
The only thing with wine is finding someone to judge them. No BJCP points to worry about, just need to find someone who appreciates wine. I would nominate Dunkel but he might want his beer judging points and it might not be a good idea to mix the two.
An outsider from the likes of an off licence would probably know enough about wines to judge. I know Cathal McHugh knows a fair bit on wines. I'm sure he would jump at the chance. I was talking to him and he was sad he wasn't asked back to judge last year.
Yep, Cathal was one of the guys I was going to ask. He's a qualified wine judge.
On a practical level, I feel wines should be split into two classes, grape wines (i.e. kits) and country wines (could be kits, but also straight from the hedgerow stuff).
Quote from: Rossa on October 10, 2014, 08:27:06 AM
2 x 500ml bottles power entry, as last year - the 330ml did not work for us last year at all.
That's a shame. I already have some brewed and conditioning in 330ml bottles :(
Quote from: LordEoin on October 14, 2014, 12:19:42 PM
Quote from: Rossa on October 10, 2014, 08:27:06 AM
2 x 500ml bottles power entry, as last year - the 330ml did not work for us last year at all.
That's a shame. I already have some brewed and conditioning in 330ml bottles :(
So do I, Eoin. It is a shame, but I don't think any exceptions should be made this year.
I think I'm right in saying that in 2013, the 330ml bottles were allowed, even though they were forbidden in the guidelines. In 2014, everyone had plenty of notice but there were still howls of objection when it was pointed out. So exceptions were made again. I don't think we can keep making exceptions indefinitely.
Is there a barrel competition this year?
I raised the issue last year before the 2014 comp about including the 330ml bottles because the guidelines and comp rules about bottle size were only put up a couple of months before the comp and a lot of people had bottled the beer already ( especially anything high ABV)
I had mentioned to a few afterwards that the rules needed to be put up early so that anybody entering knew what size bottle to use, how many, and for all bottles to be label free.
I know it's sensible to bottle the high ABV beers in 330ml bottles for personal consumption, but in a competition, JUST to be sure the judges get a skinful enough, 500ml bottles would need to be submitted.
Hey folk do you reckon come Feb & Mar next year the 2014 draft BJCP guidelines will be in place? They certainly seem modernised with a greater divide for 'newer' styles. Anyone have any insight?
Pity, but sure it's all good!
Quote from: Dube on October 14, 2014, 11:22:03 PM
BJCP wheels turn very slowly, so I'd be surprised if there was any change before next summer.
According to themselves (http://www.bjcp.org/), new guidelines will be in use "at the start of 2015."
Would they be used if they were in effect?
Can we get a ruling on this now?
So by the time they're actually implemented they'll be completely out of date. :D
I'll have a good look at it next week and see where we can incorporate the new guidelines but the competition software that does a lot the work for us is limited at present to the older guidelines but we will see.
It's great to see an overhaul. It is long overdue but there will be some catchup for us all in this and I'm sure other questions to be answered.
I am sure that if you ask the BJCP they will tell you that the style guidlines are nothing to do with a BJCP sanctioned competition!
They are just guidlines to help the judging process and group similiar beers together if needed.
It is the "rules of conduct" of the comp that are really immportant and makes the comp "Sanctioned".
So when the new style guides come out we can still use the old one! Remember that if the new guidlines DO come out in 2015 some beers will have been brewed to the existing guide. Also brewers need to read and understand the new guidlines. This is Ok for people who just enter on style but for CERTAIN people it will take them ages to wade through! (Tee Hee!!)
I would suggest waiting at least a year after issue before adopting the new guide for our national competition.
I think you'd be mad not to include at least some of the new categories. It would reduce the cat 23 entries & give those beers & fair shout in their own new category. IE: black IPA, session ipa, american sour beer etc.
The style guide in use should form part the competition announcement.
I say go with the 2015 style guide
+1 for the new guidelines also. They're so much clearer and better organised than the 2008 version.
+1 for the new guidelines (if possible), so much more clarity & variety
At the moment there are no "New Style Guidlines"! They have been issued in draft form for review!
It would be a bit risky to brew to these guidlines as they may be changed in the future when the official issue is issued!
I had another look at the presentation Gordon Strong did on the proposed guidelines at the NHC 2014. It is worth a look if you have an hour to spare. It is exciting for me as a brewer and as a judge. We can certainly take aspects of the proposed guidelines but as a whole it would be more prudent to run it as last year with 24 categories as opposed to the 40 that are proposed. Having said that section 23 is a mess and the new guidelines will allow us to have criteria to judge those beers against. Whatever guidelines are used it will not affect any entry as such. A beer is a beer after all so just because the older guidelines don't have a descriptor for it it doesn't mean you should enter that double wheat sour stout you know is a winner. Whether we take some of those beers out of 23, and put them in an appropriate category, we can decide when we see what the numbers are like.
There is a recognition that judging to the guidelines has been almost too strict and that anything that veers outside the guidelines is wrong and gets marked down. This is also where we can improve and implement the new approach. A good beer should be rewarded and just because it strays over the lines slightly it doesn't mean it should be punished.
Everyone will be playing catch up on this. That includes the software we use. I wouldn't see a new version ready in time for us but maybe for 2016.
If you haven't looked at the categories you should. For example Category 15 has Irish Red and Irish Stout and export. There is also an English stout category and English porters are now in with dark milds and American porters and stouts have their own category so there is a lot going on and a lot of decisions to be made in the future of how categories will be grouped.
SO, although I would see us running the 2015 championship in the same format as this year we will be able to have the draft guidelines on hand so if someone enters a sahti or grodziskie we will be able to pull up information about them and judge accordingly.
I had a good chat with the guys in Galway, south Dublin and capital brewers last week along with anyone else I met face to face ( Garden county, Rebel, Liffey and north county, I have been getting around!).
I put it to them that we should break up section 23 in a trial run by adding specialty IPA as a medal category of its own. This would include the Brett, Belgian, Session, rye, black forms of the style, and anymore we can think of. Everyone agreed it would be worth running with it this time around as most of these have some sort of guidelines available. These styles will make up the majority of 23 we think so separating them seems right.
Wine is also to be trialled but in a capped basis providing we can get judges.
Instructions on how to enter these will be on the competition site which we will be launching soon.
Not long to go....just over 3 months brewing left.
Wish I had put my ris into 500ml bottles now - I'd actually love to have that drop judged. Anyway of transferring from a 5litre mini keg to 500ml bottles without damaging the beer that anyone knows?
Quote from: molc on November 03, 2014, 05:50:10 PM
Wish I had put my ris into 500ml bottles now - I'd actually love to have that drop judged. Anyway of transferring from a 5litre mini keg to 500ml bottles without damaging the beer that anyone knows?
Siphon and 're-prime I'd say.
As in they'll take 330ml bottles? That'd rock. I've learned my bottling lesson now :)
Quote from: molc on November 03, 2014, 05:50:10 PM
Anyway of transferring from a 5litre mini keg to 500ml bottles without damaging the beer that anyone knows?
Counter pressure bottler :)
Quote from: Rossa on November 03, 2014, 06:01:40 PM
Quote from: molc on November 03, 2014, 05:50:10 PM
Wish I had put my ris into 500ml bottles now - I'd actually love to have that drop judged. Anyway of transferring from a 5litre mini keg to 500ml bottles without damaging the beer that anyone knows?
Siphon and 're-prime I'd say.
Well if that doesn't cause any damage to the beer, sounds like a good option.
Quote from: molc on November 03, 2014, 06:03:29 PM
Quote from: Rossa on November 03, 2014, 06:01:40 PM
Quote from: molc on November 03, 2014, 05:50:10 PM
Wish I had put my ris into 500ml bottles now - I'd actually love to have that drop judged. Anyway of transferring from a 5litre mini keg to 500ml bottles without damaging the beer that anyone knows?
Siphon and 're-prime I'd say.
Well if that doesn't cause any damage to the beer, sounds like a good option.
Just do 3 bottles. One for testing and if it's good send the rest to the comp. Quality control.
Cool I'll track the keg next month after some more conditioning and give it a go then. Wee :)
Quote from: Dube on November 03, 2014, 06:29:43 PM
Quote from: molc on November 03, 2014, 06:02:44 PM
As in they'll take 330ml bottles?
Yeah, think so.
National HomeBrew Championship 2015 are only taking 500ml bottles though. Just so we are all clear on that. :-*
I like her thinking. First I'm going to try it out on the ncb lads and see if they think it's any good :)
Quote from: Rossa on October 20, 2014, 01:28:49 PM
A good beer should be rewarded and just because it strays over the lines slightly it doesn't mean it should be punished.
Having said that (and this is probably not the place for it) seeing as judging is subjective anyway, bitterness, body, aroma etc already has a degree of flexibility. Making that even more lenient will only increase the average score; the winning beer will still be the winning beer. I'd say stick with the guidelines. Most are vague anyway. Medium light body to medium full body is pretty broad.
Do we have a rule of thumb for medals for small categories?
i.e. 3 mediocre to passable schwarzbiers produced by the same person so Gold, Silver and bronze >:D
Quote from: johnrm on November 04, 2014, 11:20:14 PM
Do we have a rule of thumb for medals for small categories?
i.e. 3 mediocre to passable schwarzbiers produced by the same person so Gold, Silver and bronze >:D
We were going with the idea of a maximum of one entry per person per sub category. So only one Irish red or Schwartz per entrant would be allowed. This stops blanket bombing and gives everyone an equal chance. It's about giving everyone a shot and not just the guy who brews every week if the year. It is also what a lot of other competitions do to avoid the blanket bombing.
One of the issues here is that one judge's 32 is another judge's 25 but it is something to be looked at i think. Last year we left it to the discretion of the judges in the medal rounds.
Quote from: johnrm on November 04, 2014, 11:20:14 PM
Do we have a rule of thumb for medals for small categories?
i.e. 3 mediocre to passable schwarzbiers produced by the same person so Gold, Silver and bronze >:D
Damn you, johnrm!!!! What am I going to do with all this feckin schwarzbier now?! ;)
Quote from: Bubbles on November 05, 2014, 09:39:29 AM
Damn you, johnrm!!!! What am I going to do with all this feckin schwarzbier now?! ;)
Well with the new 2014 BJCP guidelines* you could enter them in:
Schwarzbier Urquell
Black German Lager
Black US Lite Lager
Black US Lager
Black Session 'Wet' Low Hop IPA
Black Stout Light
Black Steam Beer
Black Kölsch
Black Betty Beer
* E&OE. These categories are subject to change and may not be in the final document ;-)
Excellent! That "Best Brewer" award will be mine next year!! >:D
What we have used in previous comps for under subscribed categories:
If for example there are only 3 4 or 5 beers in a category then the beers are scored as usual, if they score enough they are awarded a medal if not: not.
So for a cat of 5 entries;
1 gold, 1 bronze
or
Silver and bronze
orjust a silver
OTH: If there are 25 beers and 23 are S***e then again its just two medals
HTH
We have two years of data regarding scores etc. now so maybe this data can be used to determine the "cut-off" points required for gold, silver, and bronze medals for low entry categories? For example if the average score for the past two years given for all the gold winners was say 41 points, the average score for silver was say 38 points, and average score for bronze was say 35 points, then in a low entry category the medals could be awarded accordingly. If no beer in a low entry category scores over 35 (as per the above example), then no medals are awarded for that category
Unfortunately, that's not going to work because different judges will score differently. One judge's 35 is anothers 28, and so on. My porter took a silver medal last year despite scoring only 32 points.
Final score for each beer is the average of both judges score is it not?
Quote from: delzep on November 05, 2014, 09:45:07 PM
Final score for each beer is the average of both judges score is it not?
No. It's a number they agree on after discussion.
Quote from: Rossa on November 05, 2014, 09:56:37 PM
Quote from: delzep on November 05, 2014, 09:45:07 PM
Final score for each beer is the average of both judges score is it not?
No. It's a number they agree on after discussion.
OK so...my idea can still be used though
It is, but each pair of judges decide the level, for want of a better word, the beers on their table are going to be judged at.
I should have said that each "table" will judge differently, rather than the individual judges.
It's agreed between the judges, but to be fair, it's nearly always the average of the two scores. Cos there's normally only 2 or 3 points between them.
Quote from: delzep on November 05, 2014, 09:45:07 PM
Final score for each beer is the average of both judges score is it not?
Its a score that the pair both agree on, not necessarily an average.
One team could give a 45 but that beer could still be beaten in the "Best of Show" by a beer that scores 38 from a different pair of judges.
I don't think an average score from previous years should decide medals, a large category would have high scoring beers in the bos, thus the bronze from that bos would be a higher score.
I believe it should be down to the discretion of the bos judges wether beers in a small bos deserve a medal.
One table of judges might score beers in the high twenties 29/30 say, another may put their beers in the high thirties. At a medal round the lower beers may take all the medals and it would seem they were judged too harshly in comparison but that table were consistent and the second table might have been generous. For the bigger categories it evens itself out.
The AHA doesn't enforce a scoring cap, I'm told, but some comps do in first round. The fact that we still don't have enough bjcp judges means scoring can be erratic but the best beers still come out on top if you get me. Might be something to consider if we go massive in the future though.
Like Kev says - the judges along with the comp director can call it in the small categories at medal rounds. They may also be judging several sub styles which complicates things even more

.
I've secured a few Beersmith (http://beersmith.com/) Keys for the highest scoring kits in the 2015 Competition.
The idea is to get some of the best kit brewers and new brewers the tools they need to try their hand at all grain and extract.
Two rules though:
1 - Please don't enter if you've already got a copy of beersmith.
2 - Kit hacks allowed. Add hops, yeast, specialty grain, etc. But no Mashing.
Quote from: Rossa on November 05, 2014, 10:25:56 PMThe fact that we still don't have enough bjcp judges means scoring can be erratic
I'm quite surprised to hear this. I thought we were now inundated with qualified BJCP judges?! Are there any plans to do another course/exam? I'd be interested in doing it if it were Dublin-based.
Quote from: Bubbles on November 17, 2014, 10:51:49 AM
Quote from: Rossa on November 05, 2014, 10:25:56 PMThe fact that we still don't have enough bjcp judges means scoring can be erratic
I'm quite surprised to hear this. I thought we were now inundated with qualified BJCP judges?! Are there any plans to do another course/exam? I'd be interested in doing it if it were Dublin-based.
I think we used about 60 judges last year at least, between the two days. I think we had less than 20 club members doing the exam but another course would be great. The course is not just about judging and in fact brings a lot of brewing theory into it too which is great for your brewing. Maybe get a thread going about another course as I'm sure many of the guys and gals who did it last time would love to help out and I'm sure Padraic might help out again.
Quote from: Dube on November 17, 2014, 11:27:55 AM
Quote from: Bubbles link=topic=7928.msg103344#msgAre there any plans to do another course/exam? I'd be interested in doing it if it were Dublin-based.
I intend on running another one in Dublin next year.
Will you be running that out of your homebrew shop?
Quote from: Rossa on November 17, 2014, 11:12:18 AM
Quote from: Bubbles on November 17, 2014, 10:51:49 AM
Quote from: Rossa on November 05, 2014, 10:25:56 PMThe fact that we still don't have enough bjcp judges means scoring can be erratic
I'm quite surprised to hear this. I thought we were now inundated with qualified BJCP judges?! Are there any plans to do another course/exam? I'd be interested in doing it if it were Dublin-based.
I think we used about 60 judges last year at least, between the two days. I think we had less than 20 club members doing the exam but another course would be great. The course is not just about judging and in fact brings a lot of brewing theory into it too which is great for your brewing. Maybe get a thread going about another course as I'm sure many of the guys and gals who did it last time would love to help out and I'm sure Padraic might help out again.
Yeah I'd be interested in doing this as well. Would be a great way to improve my brewing as well as being able to help out.
There was talk on their forum abou the Belfast lads organising a course and exam
Thanks for the responses lads.
Will start a new thread to gauge interest.
Quote from: Will_D on November 17, 2014, 11:46:52 AM
There was talk on their forum abou the Belfast lads organising a course and exam
Just read through that thread and it looks like the lads are doing their course over several weeks. The regular commute wouldn't work for me unfortunately. I'd need something that could be done over a weekend. Though I'm not sure how practical this would be. The old palate would be fairly shot at the end of the day!
Quote from: Bubbles on November 17, 2014, 01:31:57 PM
Quote from: Will_D on November 17, 2014, 11:46:52 AM
There was talk on their forum abou the Belfast lads organising a course and exam
Just read through that thread and it looks like the lads are doing their course over several weeks. The regular commute wouldn't work for me unfortunately. I'd need something that could be done over a weekend. Though I'm not sure how practical this would be. The old palate would be fairly shot at the end of the day!
You certainly need the time. You could easily do it on your own though. It's great to taste all the styles but you can read the notes and test yourself with a scoresheet. Having a knowledgeable qualified judge/beer nerd with they helps with bouncing ideas around.
If there was a course being run again I would expect a qualified judge or two to be involved. Although it was fun there were times when we needed guidance last year and you don't want the loudest person in the room telling everyone what they think when they are wrong.
The Galway club will be doing the siebel off flavour tasting & a final run through judging for any of ye that are interested. It'll be ran on a Saturday. All day affair. Siebel tasting in the morning & then judging in the afternoon. Not sure of a date yet but all are welcome.
Any idea what the style split is going to be between the Galway and Dublin judging dates?
Quote from: Ciaran on November 23, 2014, 12:29:13 PM
Any idea what the style split is going to be between the Galway and Dublin judging dates?
No split decision yet. Dates are Feb 21 in Galway and March 7 in Dublin.
Where are the guidelines for this competition, rules, submissions, etc...?
Cheers! :)
Quote from: Paddy on November 28, 2014, 02:25:22 PM
Where are the guidelines for this competition, rules, submissions, etc...?
Cheers! :)
All here. http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.ie/competition/rules :)
Do Beoir members get a discount? :P
Quote from: winstonia on November 29, 2014, 11:34:58 AM
Do Beoir members get a discount? :P
They certainly do....if they have dual membership
Quote from: irish_goat on November 28, 2014, 02:27:26 PM
Quote from: Paddy on November 28, 2014, 02:25:22 PM
Where are the guidelines for this competition, rules, submissions, etc...?
Cheers! :)
All here. http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.ie/competition/rules :)
Folks am I right in saying that beers, for example, a bipa and a mixed / blended sour (that doesn't fall into standard styles) would both be entered in cat. 23a? Thats raises another question, are you limited to entering only one of these or other creations that don't fit into standard categories?
Quote from: shanek on November 29, 2014, 10:07:06 PM
Quote from: irish_goat on November 28, 2014, 02:27:26 PM
Quote from: Paddy on November 28, 2014, 02:25:22 PM
Where are the guidelines for this competition, rules, submissions, etc...?
Cheers! :)
All here. http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.ie/competition/rules :)
Folks am I right in saying that beers, for example, a bipa and a mixed / blended sour (that doesn't fall into standard styles) would both be entered in cat. 23a? Thats raises another question, are you limited to entering only one of these or other creations that don't fit into standard categories?
Very good point. Something we had not foreseen.
Chatting with club members over the last year regarding the entry limit everyone seemed in agreement over the one per sub category entry limit but perhaps this is too restrictive and needs to be revisited. With 300+ members and over 1000 registered users we want as many as possible to enter so having some restriction would be a valid way of giving everyone a chance to enter.
With that in mind and the fact that new BJCP guidelines and categories will be in place in 2016 a restriction of 3 per sub category would seem more appropriate this time around. This will not apply for categories with no sub categories. For example category 23, 21, 20 and our wine and specialty IPA categories will have no limit as there are too many possibilities of sub category to consider.
Does that sound clear enough? Keep the questions coming!
At the moment we are looking at venues in Dublin and Galway and will publish those when we have them confirmed.
The Competition system is up and running now with a limit of 600 entries so get busy!
http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.ie/competition/
What's the discount code for NHBC members? I had a look around but I couldn't find it. Thanks
Quote from: Johnnycheech on December 01, 2014, 06:22:52 PM
What's the discount code for NHBC members? I had a look around but I couldn't find it. Thanks
I'll it into members area.
Thanks for clarifying, Rossa.
You mentioned recently that there might be a separate category for specialty IPAs this year. Does our competition software allow us to nominate new categories under sec 23? Or will entrants specify entry to the specialty IPA category using the "description" field?
Quote from: Bubbles on December 01, 2014, 10:00:36 PM
Thanks for clarifying, Rossa.
You mentioned recently that there might be a separate category for specialty IPAs this year. Does our competition software allow us to nominate new categories under sec 23? Or will entrants specify entry to the specialty IPA category using the "description" field?
I created a special category for it but you then need to tell the judges what kind of IPA it is like you would do for 23 with the extra detail.
Both dates are marked in my calendar on the assumption I will be judging.
I have 7.5 points at the moment.
Thankfully, Galway and Dublin are almost equally handy for me on the M6.
Will there be any date as to when the beers will be judged for certain category's?
I've an Imperial stout I want to bottle the day before the drop off cuts(8th Feb), that's if they are going to be judged in Dublin on March the 6th for example.
Quote from: winstonia on December 02, 2014, 05:27:39 PM
Will there be any date as to when the beers will be judged for certain category's?
I've an Imperial stout I want to bottle the day before the drop off cuts(8th Feb), that's if they are going to be judged in Dublin on March the 6th for example.
Not yet but there will be soon as the Galway lads are studying certain styles so they can help judge. More soon.
Could someone with judging experience please help me decide which category I should enter my beer?
It's a rye saison, basically a by the numbers saison but it has a hefty amount of rye malt in it (around 20%).
Should it be 16E Belgian Specialty or would I get away with 16C Saison?
The rye is the only unusual thing about it, everything else is according to the saison guidelines.
Thanks.
16c16e is perfect for a rye saison.
Quote from: redshift on December 03, 2014, 12:00:41 PM
Could someone with judging experience please help me decide which category I should enter my beer?
It's a rye saison, basically a by the numbers saison but it has a hefty amount of rye malt in it (around 20%).
Should it be 16E Belgian Specialty or would I get away with 16C Saison?
The rye is the only unusual thing about it, everything else is according to the saison guidelines.
Thanks.
You should decide on the most appropriate category based on the
flavour of the beer, not by looking at the recipe. Remember, the judges will not have your recipe to hand - they only have their taste buds.
If your beer has a prominent rye character, I'd say 16E Specialty would be a more appropriate category. The style description for 16E specifically mentions rye in both flavour and aroma sections, whereas 16C does not. If the rye character is more subtle, then 16C would be fine. But personally, I'd err on the side of caution with 16E. Best thing to do is to pop along to a local meet and get some experienced opinions.
Shameless plug...the South Dublin Brewers are meeting in the Dark Horse this very evening. :)
Sorry, Bubbles is spot on ;)
I meant to say 16e would be perfect.
Yeah, I think it's safer.
The judge's job is to judge your beer strictly according to those guidelines. Would be a shame for a judge to detect a heavy rye flavour, read the 16C guidelines and then ding your beer for being out of style. The Belgian Specialty category (which interestingly, is going to be phased in the next set of BJCP guidelines) is there for more experimental versions of the Belgian styles.
I'd suspect that 20% is going to give you a fairly prominent rye flavour, especially in a pale and dry style like saison.
Thanks Saruman and Bubbles, 16E it is.
I've not brewed this recipe before and it's only been in the fv for a week but I think the rye flavour will be quite prominent (I hope so anyway).
QuoteShameless plug...the South Dublin Brewers are meeting in the Dark Horse this very evening
A bit too far for me unfortunately, plus as mentioned the beer's probably still a tad young ;D
I did a saison last year which (I've just checked my notes..) had 13.6% rye malt. I got little or no rye in the flavour. 20% should be a lot better.
I would tend to go with 16C. The rye will add the spicy notes that are expected.
When it comes to 16E:
And I quote (It is in upper case in the style guide):
"The brewer must specify either the beer being cloned, the new style being produced or the special ingredients or special process being used"
So if you can answer that then enter it as a 16E
Will (BJCP Judge)
The spice flavours in a traditional saison are yeast derived, rather than from grains. Strongly believe 16E is a much more appropriate category, depending on flavour.
Dont think so. I won gold with schwartz and scored quite high.......and i think there are bjcp rules re minimum score to obtain medal
Quote from: brenmurph on December 04, 2014, 09:44:26 PM
Dont think so. I won gold with schwartz and scored quite high.......and i think there are bjcp rules re minimum score to obtain medal
There are none in the BJCP. It's an AHA thing.
The uk combined categories e.g irish scottish and english ales together. Most lagers together so i think there was minimum numbers from recolection maybe 20 beers in a medal section. Ive no issue either way 5 beers or 50 the best beer on average wins fair and square. Theres no reason why we cant decide 40 + to win gold. 35+ for silver and 25+ to win bronze. Personally i think a beer shud b good to very good to deserve a medal and excellent to exceptional to get gold. I wud support that and it may over time validate the quality of the comp
Clearly a 13 does not deserve a medal and a gold suggests excellence in my book it shud b near the top bracket. I suppose its for the comp orgsnisers to call on it.
Quote from: Rossa on December 04, 2014, 10:23:54 PM
Quote from: brenmurph on December 04, 2014, 09:44:26 PM
Dont think so. I won gold with schwartz and scored quite high.......and i think there are bjcp rules re minimum score to obtain medal
There are none in the BJCP. It's an AHA thing.
Hi Rossa, it is in the bjcp comp section under comp rules
"many competitions also mirror the NHC by having a
minimum score entries have to achieve to place/receive an award. This score is generally
30. "
Thats score 30+ to receive a medal The fact that the quote AHA under their own "comp rules" suggests that they recomend / suggest minimum 30 to receive a medal.. what u think should we not just go with the norm?
and then theres the Gold... who / what deserved to receive gold.... I think its in everyones iinterest to make it a challenge to receive such an award
Quote from: brenmurph on December 04, 2014, 11:04:10 PM
Quote from: Rossa on December 04, 2014, 10:23:54 PM
Quote from: brenmurph on December 04, 2014, 09:44:26 PM
Dont think so. I won gold with schwartz and scored quite high.......and i think there are bjcp rules re minimum score to obtain medal
There are none in the BJCP. It's an AHA thing.
Hi Rossa, it is in the bjcp comp section under comp rules
"many competitions also mirror the NHC by having a
minimum score entries have to achieve to place/receive an award. This score is generally
30. "
Thats score 30+ to receive a medal The fact that the quote AHA under their own "comp rules" suggests that they recomend / suggest minimum 30 to receive a medal.. what u think should we not just go with the norm?
and then theres the Gold... who / what deserved to receive gold.... I think its in everyones iinterest to make it a challenge to receive such an award
When I brought this up with the BJCP competition director he said no and that it was an AHA thing. We left it to the discretion of the judges and comp director last year and I think it worked well.
The AHA comps are huge and often have two rounds. A minimum score is often required to enter round two.
I wouldn't have thought any beer under 30 won a medal last year but I could be wrong.
On the "Entry Info" screen it states:
"Each bottle should have its entry label, printed from the entry system, adhered to the bottle by elastic bands."
On the same page, the checklist states:
"Labels printed from this website firmly attached to bottles"
So which is more correct?
I seem to remember someone asking the same question last year. Can someone confirm, and maybe change the template to avoid confusion?
Elastic bands please! I'll fix that later
I've always used a single piece of sellotape on each bottle... ???
Isn't there more chance of the label coming off when using an elastic band?
Quote from: Bubbles on December 05, 2014, 10:34:18 AM
I've always used a single piece of sellotape on each bottle... ???
Isn't there more chance of the label coming off when using an elastic band?
2 elastic bands normally do the job grand.
Remember folks as well, if you're bottling soon, use 500ml bottles! :)
Quote from: Bubbles on December 05, 2014, 10:34:18 AM
I've always used a single piece of sellotape on each bottle... ???
Isn't there more chance of the label coming off when using an elastic band?
We have to take them off you see and some people used glue or tape and it just takes too long to take them off and apply the new label. 2 right bands should do it.
That's fair enough, cheers.
Hi, I signed up to be a steward at this years National HomeBrew Championship I was wondering where i can find info on what is reqired for the position. Thanks
Quote from: Yenren on December 11, 2014, 10:59:57 PM
Hi, I signed up to be a steward at this years National HomeBrew Championship I was wondering where i can find info on what is reqired for the position. Thanks
Lovely!
We will be putting some info together on this soon alright. It's a great day out and no stress. The stewards are at the heart of making the day run smoothly.
is it 1 entry into each category or 1 entry into each category group?
eg: if I had a Special Bitter(8b) and an Extra Special Bitter(8c) brewed, could I enter both just 1?
Quote from: LordEoin on January 04, 2015, 10:08:42 PM
is it 1 entry into each category or 1 entry into each category group?
eg: if I had a Special Bitter(8b) and an Extra Special Bitter(8c) brewed, could I enter both just 1?
Per sub category so you can enter 8a,8b & 8c.
Cheers :)
when the beers are handed over to the drop off locations are they stored in a fridge or not or how does it work? im wondering is it possible to specify when the beers are fridged or would that be a huge pain in the ars??
More than likely all drop off points will refrigerate the comp entries, but if it's a concern, you'd best check beforehand.
I doubt any drop off points will offer the service of conditioning bottles for entrants. All beers should be fully conditioned before being deposited at the drop off centres.
Quote from: baphomite51 on January 05, 2015, 06:34:21 PM
when the beers are handed over to the drop off locations are they stored in a fridge or not or how does it work? im wondering is it possible to specify when the beers are fridged or would that be a huge pain in the ars??
Usually cellar temp but it's out of our hands.
ok grand just checking cheers
Hi there,
About to enter some beers in to the competition but before I enter them I want to make sure that I am entering them in the right category. Would appreciate feedback on the beers and whether categories I have specified are the right ones?
1. Belgian Witbier spiced with added cloves, all spice and orange zest - 16A
2. Baltic Porter aged on Oak chips is this 12C or 13F as the beer is jet black and 12C states "Appearance: Dark reddish copper to opaque dark brown (not black). Thick, persistent tan-colored head. Clear, although darker versions can be opaque."
3. Rye IPA is this 23
Also is it necessary to include details of all of the following for each entry? Who is this information for?
Dates
Specific Gravities
Fermentables: Malt Extracts
Fermentables: Grain
Fermentables: Adjuncts
Hops
Mash Schedule
Water Treatment
Yeast Culture
Yeast Nutrients
Carbonation
Boil
Fermentation
Finings
Brewer's Specifics
Shanna
Possibly. Spiced and Wood Aged?
Quote from: Shanna on January 05, 2015, 11:22:09 PM
1. Belgian Witbier spiced with added cloves, all spice and orange zest - 16A
2. Baltic Porter aged on Oak chips is this 12C or 13F as the beer is jet black and 12C states "Appearance: Dark reddish copper to opaque dark brown (not black). Thick, persistent tan-colored head. Clear, although darker versions can be opaque."
3. Rye IPA is this 23
Belgian Wit with spice additions that aren't traditionally part of the style would be entered in "21. SPICE / HERB / VEGETABLE BEER".
Baltic Porter with Oak Chips would be "22. SMOKE-FLAVORED AND WOOD-AGED BEER". Unless the oak flavours are extremely subtle. If you specifically mention "Baltic Porter" in the description, it should have all of the characteristics of the underlying beer style.
Rye IPA should be entered in the new "Specialty IPA" category, available in the registration software. General tip: entering your beer in one category when there is a more appropriate category for it could see the beer being marked down.
Quote from: Bubbles on January 06, 2015, 09:34:29 AM
Quote from: Shanna on January 05, 2015, 11:22:09 PM
1. Belgian Witbier spiced with added cloves, all spice and orange zest - 16A
2. Baltic Porter aged on Oak chips is this 12C or 13F as the beer is jet black and 12C states "Appearance: Dark reddish copper to opaque dark brown (not black). Thick, persistent tan-colored head. Clear, although darker versions can be opaque."
3. Rye IPA is this 23
Belgian Wit with spice additions that aren't traditionally part of the style would be entered in "21. SPICE / HERB / VEGETABLE BEER".
Baltic Porter with Oak Chips would be "22. SMOKE-FLAVORED AND WOOD-AGED BEER". Unless the oak flavours are extremely subtle. If you specifically mention "Baltic Porter" in the description, it should have all of the characteristics of the underlying beer style.
Rye IPA should be entered in the new "Specialty IPA" category, available in the registration software. General tip: entering your beer in one category when there is a more appropriate category for it could see the beer being marked down.
Bang on.
Quote from: Bubbles on January 06, 2015, 09:34:29 AM
Quote from: Shanna on January 05, 2015, 11:22:09 PM
1. Belgian Witbier spiced with added cloves, all spice and orange zest - 16A
2. Baltic Porter aged on Oak chips is this 12C or 13F as the beer is jet black and 12C states "Appearance: Dark reddish copper to opaque dark brown (not black). Thick, persistent tan-colored head. Clear, although darker versions can be opaque."
3. Rye IPA is this 23
Belgian Wit with spice additions that aren't traditionally part of the style would be entered in "21. SPICE / HERB / VEGETABLE BEER".
Baltic Porter with Oak Chips would be "22. SMOKE-FLAVORED AND WOOD-AGED BEER". Unless the oak flavours are extremely subtle. If you specifically mention "Baltic Porter" in the description, it should have all of the characteristics of the underlying beer style.
Rye IPA should be entered in the new "Specialty IPA" category, available in the registration software. General tip: entering your beer in one category when there is a more appropriate category for it could see the beer being marked down.
Thanks for the comments, 're the Witbier the spices & Orange zest don't look out place according to bjcp guides for 16A.
Shanna
Quote from: Shanna on January 06, 2015, 10:49:20 AM
Quote from: Bubbles on January 06, 2015, 09:34:29 AM
Quote from: Shanna on January 05, 2015, 11:22:09 PM
1. Belgian Witbier spiced with added cloves, all spice and orange zest - 16A
2. Baltic Porter aged on Oak chips is this 12C or 13F as the beer is jet black and 12C states "Appearance: Dark reddish copper to opaque dark brown (not black). Thick, persistent tan-colored head. Clear, although darker versions can be opaque."
3. Rye IPA is this 23
Belgian Wit with spice additions that aren't traditionally part of the style would be entered in "21. SPICE / HERB / VEGETABLE BEER".
Baltic Porter with Oak Chips would be "22. SMOKE-FLAVORED AND WOOD-AGED BEER". Unless the oak flavours are extremely subtle. If you specifically mention "Baltic Porter" in the description, it should have all of the characteristics of the underlying beer style.
Rye IPA should be entered in the new "Specialty IPA" category, available in the registration software. General tip: entering your beer in one category when there is a more appropriate category for it could see the beer being marked down.
Thanks for the comments, 're the Witbier the spices & Orange zest don't look out place according to bjcp guides for 16A.
Shanna
Orange zest is a traditional flavouring in a Wit, but clove and allspice are not, so unless they're at very subtle levels and are complementary to the beer..
The best thing to do is taste your beer alongside a couple of good commercial examples - particularly some that are listed in the BJCP guide - and let your tastebuds tell you if it tastes like a Wit or not.
Quote from: Bock on January 06, 2015, 11:26:15 AM
The word "spices" is in 16A seven times, and googling there are commercial beers with allspice and clove in the description (clove flavour is common). If I judged that beer in 16A I wouldn't mark it down. The spices are underscored by "Other spices (examples) may be used"
As a certified beer judge I wouldn't expect to see a wit with spices that are not normally associated with that style in a flight of wit beers.
A wit with curry spices would be more suited to 21 where herbs and spices are expected as would one with allspice I would have thought. Perhaps if the beer tastes like a Christmas cake it might be better off in that category - 21b.
A lot of the spices in this style are yeast derived and according to the BJCP any spices should compliment and not overpower them. That is the decision of the brewer at the end of the day as they are the ones tasting the beer at the time of entry.
Quote from: Bock on January 06, 2015, 11:26:15 AM
The word "spices" is in 16A seven times, and googling there are commercial beers with allspice and clove in the description (clove flavour is common). If I judged that beer in 16A I wouldn't mark it down. The spices are underscored by "Other spices (examples) may be used"
Means nothing. Just because a section of the style guidelines mentions the word "spices" doesn't give the brewer carte blanche to dump whatever they want in there.. cardamom, chilli, bay leaves... If that's what you want to brew and drink, then fine, but BJCP beers are judged in accordance with classic beer styles.
I'd suggest that if you as a judge hadn't marked down a wit that contained prominent flavours of clove and allspice then you've done a pretty bad job. Waste of €4 for all the entrants in that category imo. But then standards of judging will always vary.
As I've already suggested, the only thing to do is to taste a beer alongside a classic example or two, and use the style guides as a reference.
Maybe 16E for the wit - Belgian Speciality - it's still a wit albeit with unusual spicing
Quote from: Rossa on January 06, 2015, 12:00:23 PM
Quote from: Bock on January 06, 2015, 11:26:15 AM
A wit with curry spices would be more suited to 21 where herbs and spices are expected as would one with allspice I would have thought. Perhaps if the beer tastes like a Christmas cake it might be better off in that category - 21b.
A lot of the spices in this style are yeast derived and according to the BJCP any spices should compliment and not overpower them. That is the decision of the brewer at the end of the day as they are the ones tasting the beer at the time of entry.
Not sure how curry comes in to the discussion :) Spices are clove & all spice neither of which seemed out of place according to the guidelines. I take the point about derived flavours but it would seem a bit weird that the guidelines are so vague. Seeing the three different responses in relation to the same category makes me think this is opinion & leeaves you at the mercy of the beer judge on the day. I wonder if I enter it in the spice category & the judge thinks it does not have enough spice to be a proper example of a spice beer leaving me in exactly the situation I try to avoid. Bubbles you have tasted the beer & remarked I should enter it in the spice section if I remember. I brewed the recipe based on Randy Mosher recipe for a Belgian Wit spiced with different types of spice. His description of Belgian beers being those that break the rules by experimenting. This seems to be completely contrary to the BJCP (not a dig by the way).
Will enter under spice beer & if I can find an extra couple of bottles I might enter in the 16A for the he'll of it & see how it fares. Appreciate the feedback from all.
Shanna
It's an interesting one alright. My very limited personal experience of judging, what I took away from Gordon Strong's book, and my extensive experience of being dinged in competitions has led me to believe that if you do something that plays with the style guidelines, rather than treating them as a blueprint, you run the risk of being dinged.
I've not drunk your beer, but assuming the clove and all spice subtly blend in with the yeast phenols, I'd wonder if the fact that you've no coriander could play against you in 16A. The style guide specifically calls for a moderate coriander aroma and a big part of the required zesty fruity flavor in a wit typically comes from coriander, not just the orange peel.
If it were me, personally I'd go for 16E if in doubt - all the creative freedom of 23 without being trampled underfoot by the imperial black ipa thingies but again tasting is everything!
Quote from: Bubbles on January 06, 2015, 01:12:06 PM
Means nothing. Just because a section of the style guidelines mentions the word "spices" doesn't give the brewer carte blanche to dump whatever they want in there...
BJCP doesn't just mention the word "spices", it calls them out (http://www.bjcp.org/2008styles/style16.php):
"Other spices (e.g., chamomile, cumin, cinnamon, Grains of Paradise) may be used for complexity but are much less prominent."
Hitachino Nest White, cited as a classic example, uses nutmeg.
There's a lot more latitude within this style, even in compliance with the BJCP, than some posts here are acknowledging.
@shanna Even with the best will in the world judging will be subjective to varying degrees so it's a bit of a lottery in that regard on where you enter it.
Is there any chance that the number of medals and criteria for allocation will be published in advance of the judging?
Quote from: imark on January 07, 2015, 07:19:26 PM
@shanna Even with the best will in the world judging will be subjective to varying degrees so it's a bit of a lottery in that regard on where you enter it.
Is there any chance that the number of medals and criteria for allocation will be published in advance of the judging?
How do you mean?
Same as last year really with the extra categories. All getting medals presuming the entries are up to medal standard in each cat. Is that what you mean?
It's not the judges' fault if the beer is in the wrong category. If it's in the correct category it gets judged alongside similar beers by the same two judges, so although there is an element of subjectivity to it, the judges confer and agree, and then mark the next beer with the same level of subjectivity!
Quote from: Bubbles on January 06, 2015, 09:34:29 AM
Quote from: Shanna on January 05, 2015, 11:22:09 PM
1. Belgian Witbier spiced with added cloves, all spice and orange zest - 16A
2. Baltic Porter aged on Oak chips is this 12C or 13F as the beer is jet black and 12C states "Appearance: Dark reddish copper to opaque dark brown (not black). Thick, persistent tan-colored head. Clear, although darker versions can be opaque."
3. Rye IPA is this 23
Belgian Wit with spice additions that aren't traditionally part of the style would be entered in "21. SPICE / HERB / VEGETABLE BEER".
Baltic Porter with Oak Chips would be "22. SMOKE-FLAVORED AND WOOD-AGED BEER". Unless the oak flavours are extremely subtle. If you specifically mention "Baltic Porter" in the description, it should have all of the characteristics of the underlying beer style.
Rye IPA should be entered in the new "Specialty IPA" category, available in the registration software. General tip: entering your beer in one category when there is a more appropriate category for it could see the beer being marked down.
Hi Bubbles,
Just going to register the Rye IPA now in the registration software and the Speciality IPA as the style "35A Speciality IPA". Can I assume this is what you meant?
Shanna
Yep that's the one dude.
Check out the Specialty IPA section in the new BJCP guidelines for further info. The judges of this category will be using them for reference, even though they're still at draft stage.
Quote from: Bubbles on January 07, 2015, 10:48:17 PM
Yep that's the one dude.
Thanks just getting my last beer entered in the system now.
Shanna
Will the judges be using the draft guidelines for other things - e.g. historical stuff that might currently be in 23?
The competition site says medals will be awarded in 26 categories but I see 100 subcategories listed covering 30 bjcp categories. I'm just confused about how that works out.
Quote from: imark on January 08, 2015, 11:15:18 AM
The competition site says medals will be awarded in 26 categories but I see 100 subcategories listed covering 30 bjcp categories. I'm just confused about how that works out.
Ah yes. The breakdown is asking BJCP category numbers. For example: medals will be awarded for cat 1, cat 2 etc.
eg:
2A. German Pilsner (Pils)
2B. Bohemian Pilsener
2C. Classic American Pilsner
Are all in category 2 - Pilsner and will be judged together
This page (http://www.bjcp.org/styles04/) will give you an idea of the categories, but remember that cider/mead categories are all clumped together, and there are extra categories for speciality IPA and wine.
I'm totally split over which category to enter my Maple pecan brown ale. I'm tempted to stick it in 21A (Spice, Herb, or Vegetable Beer) as Rogues Hazelnut brown nectar is in the examples of style. Just not sure whether the maple might knock it out.
Really want to avoid 23 like the plague! The category is a lottery/nightmare. Then again i'll be sticking a fruit beer in and would then be effectively competing with my self as there is usually the possibility that fruit and vegetable categories will be joined together.
Any thoughts or advice?
Does the judging actually start at 9am? I have no public transport option to get in that early. Earliest bus gets me to Galway at 10:25
We need a lot of judges to travel. It'd be cheaper if there was a minibus to bring ye here & back that night. Just a suggestion.
Quote from: Saruman on January 08, 2015, 03:47:20 PM
Does the judging actually start at 9am? I have no public transport option to get in that early. Earliest bus gets me to Galway at 10:25
No. We will see how many entries we have and how many judges and work the timetable out but I'd say approx 10.00/11.00
Quote from: ZombieHoppingTime on January 08, 2015, 01:38:06 PM
I'm totally split over which category to enter my Maple pecan brown ale. I'm tempted to stick it in 21A (Spice, Herb, or Vegetable Beer) as Rogues Hazelnut brown nectar is in the examples of style. Just not sure whether the maple might knock it out.
Really want to avoid 23 like the plague! The category is a lottery/nightmare. Then again i'll be sticking a fruit beer in and would then be effectively competing with my self as there is usually the possibility that fruit and vegetable categories will be joined together.
Any thoughts or advice?
I heard Zamil Z say that he advises a person in a position where they don't know what category to put an entry in to taste the beer and decide as it is very hard for others to tell without tasting it. They may have aimed for one style but in fact are hitting the numbers spot on in another.
Not sure if that is any good for you though
Quote from: Bock on January 08, 2015, 07:05:05 PM
Quote from: Saruman on January 08, 2015, 03:47:20 PM
Does the judging actually start at 9am? I have no public transport option to get in that early. Earliest bus gets me to Galway at 10:25
I'll pair with you so. 10.10 train for me.
I'm afraid that's not how the judging pairing works.
Quote from: ZombieHoppingTime on January 08, 2015, 01:38:06 PM
I'm totally split over which category to enter my Maple pecan brown ale. I'm tempted to stick it in 21A (Spice, Herb, or Vegetable Beer) as Rogues Hazelnut brown nectar is in the examples of style. Just not sure whether the maple might knock it out.
Really want to avoid 23 like the plague! The category is a lottery/nightmare. Then again i'll be sticking a fruit beer in and would then be effectively competing with my self as there is usually the possibility that fruit and vegetable categories will be joined together.
Any thoughts or advice?
My 2c, for what it's worth...
The idea of the guidelines is to attempt to remove a lot of subjectivity in judging beers. The BJCP does this by specifying narrow/strict criteria based on classic or traditional examples of the various beer styles. So, I think you're always better going for the more cautious option. In other words, don't give the judges an excuse to ding you before they've decided if they like the beer or not.
That said, only you can gauge how prominent the maple flavour is in your beer. If you think the maple syrup is up-front then Cat 23a might be a more sensible place for your beer. Best thing you can do at this stage is to bring your beer to a local meet and get some opinions on it.
Just a note:
Have registered as a judge for Dublin.
Re. Galway: Would love to go but a lot depends on Mrs D.
Quote from: Bubbles on January 05, 2015, 07:06:24 PM
More than likely all drop off points will refrigerate the comp entries, but if it's a concern, you'd best check beforehand.
I doubt any drop off points will offer the service of conditioning bottles for entrants. All beers should be fully conditioned before being deposited at the drop off centres.
Have the drop points been announced yet? If not, it would be great if somebody would post details or if so a link to the details.
Shanna
Quote from: Shanna on January 09, 2015, 08:12:20 AM
Quote from: Bubbles on January 05, 2015, 07:06:24 PM
More than likely all drop off points will refrigerate the comp entries, but if it's a concern, you'd best check beforehand.
I doubt any drop off points will offer the service of conditioning bottles for entrants. All beers should be fully conditioned before being deposited at the drop off centres.
Have the drop points been announced yet? If not, it would be great if somebody would post details or if so a link to the details.
Shanna
They are being finalised and will be on the comp site along with all the rules. They don't open until entries close.
Quote from: Bock on January 09, 2015, 08:37:40 AM
There is a list here, towards the end
http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.com/competition/entry
Again, that list is provisional.
Fatted calf in Glasson closed last week so that's gone from the list
Quote from: lordstilton on January 09, 2015, 08:41:25 AM
Fatted calf in Glasson closed last week so that's gone from the list

cheers.
In general, I wouldn't be worrying too much about them yet as that list will be confirmed in time for the drop offs.
So we get the entries confirmed and paid by the 6th February, then drop off after that date?
Quote from: molc on January 09, 2015, 08:45:38 AM
So we get the entries confirmed and paid by the 6th February, then drop off after that date?
The drop points are closed along with the entry deadline on Feb 8th.
You can drop your beers off now to any drop point on our list (once they haven't shut down ???) and we will be adding more drop points to the list as we get them. :)
I'd wait until the end of January myself as I wouldn't be sure how they will be stored.
Quote from: Bock on January 08, 2015, 09:24:23 PM
@Reuben, slight chance I'll drive, if so I'll collect you on the way past.
That would be useful, are you staying the night then?
Quote from: Rossa on January 09, 2015, 09:04:13 AM
Quote from: molc on January 09, 2015, 08:45:38 AM
So we get the entries confirmed and paid by the 6th February, then drop off after that date?
The drop points are closed along with the entry deadline on Feb 8th.
You can drop your beers off now to any drop point on our list (once they haven't shut down ???) and we will be adding more drop points to the list as we get them. :)
Is there going to be a thread for confirming this year's drop off points, or is it being done in the background?
Quote from: Bubbles on January 09, 2015, 09:22:23 AM
Quote from: Rossa on January 09, 2015, 09:04:13 AM
Quote from: molc on January 09, 2015, 08:45:38 AM
So we get the entries confirmed and paid by the 6th February, then drop off after that date?
The drop points are closed along with the entry deadline on Feb 8th.
You can drop your beers off now to any drop point on our list (once they haven't shut down ???) and we will be adding more drop points to the list as we get them. :)
Is there going to be a thread for confirming this year's drop off points, or is it being done in the background?
I don't think I'll bother with a thread Conor as very few people like to thrall through forums.
It'll just be on the competition website where access will be very easy.
Ok cool. Well I've already confirmed that Dark Horse, so they're ready to accept entries.
Who be that? Rossa stick me down for a drop location in mullingar if your stuck
Quote from: lordstilton on January 09, 2015, 10:59:45 AM
Who be that? Rossa stick me down for a drop location in mullingar if your stuck
Nice one. Thank you. Could you pm your number and we can get people to phone ahead to confirm they are dropping off.
There is cheap b&b for travelling judges courtesy of Galway Bay Brewery. 35e for the night plus breakfast at the Scholars Rest. Free parking on site. Same as IPA fest.
I'm trying to contact the registrar for a Northern Ireland address to send my entries from the UK. I & a friend have tried using the contacts on the competition website, but it seems to be broken.
Can someone please PM a contact or ask the registrar to contact me.
many thanks
I'll PM you my address.
Is Farringtons likely to be the only drop off location in Dublin city?
Question:
When peeps drop off beers to a collection point what is required:
2 x 500 ml bottles
Each labeled with an entry label held on by elastic bands
Anything else? ?
Quote from: phoenix on January 16, 2015, 12:11:45 PM
Is Farringtons likely to be the only drop off location in Dublin city?
I've been wondering about this as well. And, should Farringtons not be changed to The Norseman to avoid any possible confusion?
Quote from: Ohnidog on January 17, 2015, 01:47:15 AM
Quote from: phoenix on January 16, 2015, 12:11:45 PM
Is Farringtons likely to be the only drop off location in Dublin city?
I've been wondering about this as well. And, should Farringtons not be changed to The Norseman to avoid any possible confusion?
Working on a second & I'll change the name.
Suggestion to use the Abbott as a drop point for Cork.
Better opening hours and less manic.
Quote from: Will_D on January 17, 2015, 12:41:59 AM
Question:
When peeps drop off beers to a collection point what is required:
2 x 500 ml bottles
Each labeled with an entry label held on by elastic bands
Anything else? ?
Bump!
Plus the fact that someone who ise fairly active on the forum posted this:
"Probably a daft question on my part - when is the Nationals and how do you enter?"
The Nationals are not overly well advertised!
Quote from: Will_D on January 18, 2015, 11:24:07 AM
Quote from: Will_D on January 17, 2015, 12:41:59 AM
Question:
When peeps drop off beers to a collection point what is required:
2 x 500 ml bottles
Each labeled with an entry label held on by elastic bands
Anything else? ?
Bump!
Plus the fact that someone who ise fairly active on the forum posted this:
"Probably a daft question on my part - when is the Nationals and how do you enter?"
The Nationals are not overly well advertised!
There is a website with all the info on it. nhccomp.com all the details are on that.
For those who are too lazy to visit it LordEoin is kindly putting together all the info into a sticky for the forum.
Quote from: Will_D on January 18, 2015, 11:24:07 AM
....
The Nationals are not overly well advertised!
They have been advertised this year more than any other year with 1000 flyers gone out via the homebrew shop deliveries. We have also trialled a Facebook push and are on Twitter regularly so non members are exposed to our message. For our own members we have the forum as well as the president email before Christmas reminding them of the competition.
Anyone who is not a forum user, basically most of the brewing population, can't be expected to stumble upon a thread in a forum so all info is on the competition website nhccomp.com
Whether any of this works or not we shall see but with 3 weeks left we are almost at 200 beers and over 80 people have registered beers. You can't force people to enter at the end of the day
3 WEEKS LEFT!
I think Will has a point. For what it's worth as a datapoint, this is the first time I've seen the competition website address, and I've looked on the NHC front page, and put an order in with on of the shops just before Christmas.
Are Grolsch bottles (440ml) accepted for the Nationals, I only have these bottle types left?
Cheers
Andy
Quote from: BrewBilly on January 18, 2015, 02:05:10 PM
Are Grolsch bottles (440ml) accepted for the Nationals, I only have these bottle types left?
Cheers
Andy
Yep. They are fine. Plenty in a 440ml for 4 tastings.
Quote from: mr hoppy on January 18, 2015, 01:41:36 PM
I think Will has a point. For what it's worth as a datapoint, this is the first time I've seen the competition website address, and I've looked on the NHC front page, and put an order in with on of the shops just before Christmas.
Was that order with hbw by any chance?
This may well be my fault. I dropped a few bottles in with Will over the weekend. I attached the labels as specified on the website, but I didn't bring the entry forms along as there wasn't any additional info on them that wasn't already on the labels.
Do I still need to submit the entry forms?
Do ye need 500ml for imperial stouts?
Lads 500ml bottles are the standard and it's in your interest to submit them. Firstly there needs to be enough for the 2 judges initially and then if you're 2nd bottle is opened in the best of show then there has to be enough for 4 judges. This might involve the judges coming back for 2nd and 3rd samples if they can't decide between your beer and another.
Quote from: irish_goat on January 19, 2015, 07:53:39 PM
Lads 500ml bottles are the standard and it's in your interest to submit them. Firstly there needs to be enough for the 2 judges initially and then if you're 2nd bottle is opened in the best of show then there has to be enough for 4 judges. This might involve the judges coming back for 2nd and 3rd samples if they can't decide between your beer and another.
Definitely! When I was stewarding last year I saw the judges struggle with one particular beer - the beer in a 500ml bottle had already been tasted by both judges and then proceeded to the mini BOS. By the time the fourth sample was being poured they were getting dangerously close to the end of the bottle. Not ideal, especially if the beer is bottle conditioned.
I think the judges can break into the second bottle if necessary, but what if the beer subsequently wins gold and progresses to BOS? Maybe somebody could confirm?
Hey folks a quick question: I paid for a couple of entries and yes I missed the BIG yellow & red note about clicking return from PayPal.
The payment went through but my account didn't update.
I am looking to add another entry but the website is looking for full payment (including what's already been paid). Any suggestions HOW to fix this?
Cheers
S
Quote from: Bubbles on January 19, 2015, 08:21:26 PM
Quote from: irish_goat on January 19, 2015, 07:53:39 PM
Lads 500ml bottles are the standard and it's in your interest to submit them. Firstly there needs to be enough for the 2 judges initially and then if you're 2nd bottle is opened in the best of show then there has to be enough for 4 judges. This might involve the judges coming back for 2nd and 3rd samples if they can't decide between your beer and another.
Definitely! When I was stewarding last year I saw the judges struggle with one particular beer - the beer in a 500ml bottle had already been tasted by both judges and then proceeded to the mini BOS. By the time the fourth sample was being poured they were getting dangerously close to the end of the bottle. Not ideal, especially if the beer is bottle conditioned.
I think the judges can break into the second bottle if necessary, but what if the beer subsequently wins gold and progresses to BOS? Maybe somebody could confirm?
If the bos has 5 judges you really need a fresh 500ml bottle to give each judge 100ml to appraise the entry properly.
In the case of a bottle not being big enough the likelihood is that beer just wouldn't get the same chance at medals round or bos as another.
Quote from: shanek on January 19, 2015, 09:10:01 PM
Hey folks a quick question: I paid for a couple of entries and yes I missed the BIG yellow & red note about clicking return from PayPal.
The payment went through but my account didn't update.
I am looking to add another entry but the website is looking for full payment (including what's already been paid). Any suggestions HOW to fix this?
Cheers
S
Could you pm me your name and email address and we can check if it went through.
Cheers
PM just sent thanks.
Quote from: Will_D on January 18, 2015, 11:24:07 AM
Bump!
Plus the fact that someone who ise fairly active on the forum posted this:
"Probably a daft question on my part - when is the Nationals and how do you enter?"
The Nationals are not overly well advertised!
I was going to put up a temporary locked sticky in the competitions section a few days ago, but instead edited the original post of this thread with a big bold link to the entry/information page.
If you think the competition would benefit from an informational sticky, I can get one up over the next few days.
I dropped my entry into Alfies this evening, so thanks to whoever sorted that (Rossa?)
Just to say if anyone is doing likewise to ask for the manager Arthur because the staff hadnt been filled in yet.
This happens when you're ahead of the posse!
The norm is for lads to drop at the last second.
Cork people have a habit of this, unfortunately late beers will not be accepted.
Quote from: phoenix on January 22, 2015, 11:20:17 PM
I dropped my entry into Alfies this evening, so thanks to whoever sorted that (Rossa?)
Just to say if anyone is doing likewise to ask for the manager Arthur because the staff hadnt been filled in yet.
That's great...I haven't even bottled mine yet!
Shot, I better bottle them tonight as well!
Quote from: molc on January 23, 2015, 08:34:26 AM
Shot, I better bottle them tonight as well!
At least you know it's fresh...if not mature!
Is any information available on which categories will be judged at which locations? This info would make my decision on whether to enter an IPA a lot easier (just gone to secondary fermentation last night). Probably cutting it too tight if IPAs are judged in galway :-\
Quote from: Ciaran on January 23, 2015, 09:30:52 AM
Is any information available on which categories will be judged at which locations? This info would make my decision on whether to enter an IPA a lot easier (just gone to secondary fermentation last night). Probably cutting it too tight if IPAs are judged in galway :-\
No but think Pliney...fresh is key!
When it says print of your receipt and add it as proof of payment is that from PayPal or from the My info and entries section?
PayPal but don't worry too much as we can track every payment made. I don't think you can print your labels without paying either.
It's just a default system message. We can't change it easily.
Are there any plans to have a barrel competition this year? How many barrel beers are there anyway?
1. Rebel brewers - October Beer
Quote from: Garry on January 25, 2015, 04:28:04 PM
Are there any plans to have a barrel competition this year? How many barrel beers are there anyway?
1. Rebel brewers - October Beer
We can do it if there is enough interest. There would be different styles but that isn't a huge issue.
1. Rebel brewers - October Beer
2. South Dublin Brewers - Imperial Porter
Good man Bubbles, I just posted similar in the Rebel Zone!
Quote from: Rossa on January 25, 2015, 04:42:02 PM
Quote from: Garry on January 25, 2015, 04:28:04 PM
Are there any plans to have a barrel competition this year? How many barrel beers are there anyway?
1. Rebel brewers - October Beer
We can do it if there is enough interest. There would be different styles but that isn't a huge issue.
How many entries would be needed to ensure it would go ahead? I could maybe carbonate some of English barley wine to add another entry.
Shanna
Wasn't there a few Sour beers done?
Ciders in Barrels?
I'd say 3 is the minimum. Any objections? And why? Let's get it going if we can.
i dont see a need for numbers. if only 2 or 3 enter, so be it.
the same cup can be used and handed over, so it costs the NHC nothing.
judging should be simple with only a handful of beers do choose from.
it would just take 20 minutes or so for 2 judges with no ties to the entries.
1. Rebel brewers - October Beer
2. South Dublin Brewers - Imperial Porter
3. Garden County Brewers - Wee Heavy
It's on. Cue- eye of the tiger.
Assuming there's going to be a barrel category, it would be great to see some scoresheets and judges feedback this year. Can this be arranged?
How are barrel beers to be entered into the competition? Can we enter a new category?
soz, post crossed with Rossa there.
Barrel comp, happy days!
Quote from: Bubbles on January 26, 2015, 10:12:17 AM
How are barrel beers to be entered into the competition? Can we enter a new category?
I think just clearly label them with club name and send me an email with the style.
Cheers man, will do.
Should you anonymise this? Removable labels?
Quote from: johnrm on January 26, 2015, 05:50:49 PM
Should you anonymise this? Removable labels?
Yeah. Rubber bands etc.
What about sours. 375ml ok ? Don't know if I cold part myself with a full L . ;)
I was speaking with Barry in the Abbott Ale House in Cork.
They are happy to serve as a drop point for entries from today.
Quote from: nigel_c on January 26, 2015, 06:34:39 PM
What about sours. 375ml ok ? Don't know if I cold part myself with a full L . ;)
There isn't enough for a bos in one bottle and there would not even be enough for a medal round after the first tasting.
Heavy duty 500ml would have been ideal.
Not to derail the thread Lads but if you can't spare 500ml or 2 x 330ml/375ml there's a bigger issue here.
Quote from: johnrm on January 27, 2015, 12:05:05 AM
Not to derail the thread Lads but if you can't spare 500ml or 2 x 330ml/375ml there's a bigger issue here.
In fairness, he's talking about a sour beer that was probably brewed quite a long time ago and aged over an extended period. A bit more of an investment than a pale ale that's at peak condition in 6 weeks.
That's went I mentioned 2x
Quote from: mr hoppy on January 27, 2015, 07:56:57 AM
Quote from: johnrm on January 27, 2015, 12:05:05 AM
Not to derail the thread Lads but if you can't spare 500ml or 2 x 330ml/375ml there's a bigger issue here.
In fairness, he's talking about a sour beer that was probably brewed quite a long time ago and aged over an extended period. A bit more of an investment than a pale ale that's at peak condition in 6 weeks.
I've a sour in two heavy duty 500ml for over a year. If it's ready it'll go in if not it won't. I thought about it over a year ago.
It's the amount of beer needed for samples that's the issue.
+1
I agree with you 100% Rossa. All my entries are in 500ml bottles same as last year - the organisers have said their preference is 500ml bottles enough times. I was responding specifically on the "bigger issue" given the long maturation period and shelf life of sours.
Thanks for clearing that up. All my older sours are in lambic style bottles. Have some more recent ones in a mix of them and 500ml. Don't think they'll be good until next years competition though.
Might just have to have a sample and see I suppose.
Quote from: nigel_c on January 27, 2015, 09:47:33 AM
Thanks for clearing that up. All my older sours are in lambic style bottles. Have some more recent ones in a mix of them and 500ml. Don't think they'll be good until next years competition though.
Might just have to have a sample and see I suppose.
It's a tough one alright. Like that I happened across another 3 x 500ml bottles by chance. One for my taste buds to see if it's any use and many 2 for the comp if it's any use.
I'll be handing mine into Alfie Byrne's next week. Do I just attach the label like the IPA fest or do that and hand in an entry form?
Rubber band it onto the bottle please.
Talking of rubber bands:
If using a partitioned box (like a 12 bottle wine box) be very careful when you put the bottle in or take it out. Friction likes to run the band off the bottle!
Quote from: Rossa on January 30, 2015, 10:28:46 AM
Rubber band it onto the bottle please.
The label and entry form?
Quote from: winstonia on January 30, 2015, 11:52:26 AM
Quote from: Rossa on January 30, 2015, 10:28:46 AM
Rubber band it onto the bottle please.
The label and entry form?
Just the system competition labels thanks.
Apologies for being too lazy to find it, but is The Norseman/Farrington's a drop-off point this year?
And just a thought - what happens to all the bottles that don't make it through to the Best of Show? Could make for an almighty boozing session for the stewards :D :D
Quote from: Dunkel on February 01, 2015, 06:26:08 PM
And just a thought - what happens to all the bottles that don't make it through to the Best of Show? Could make for an almighty boozing session for the stewards :D :D
The bottle crusher!
Edit - just heard back from Barry in the Norseman and they are good to act as a dp. I'll update the list.
Keep an eye on the drop list this week regardless.
Ah balls - just deleted an entry. Any way of getting it back?
Dropped off my four entries today and getting all excited and stuff now O0
Should have mentioned the deleted entry was all ready paid for. Any suggestions? (Besides pay again)
Is there anywhere Northside Dublin accepting entries, that's not Malahide?
I'll be in Bray at the weekend, and texted Damien this morning, but he's not replied yet
Are all the entries being judged together or will there be separate categories for All Grain, Extract and Kit Entries.
There doesn't seem to be anywhere to specify that my entry is extract, will It be judged against All Grain brews?
it will be judged against all other beers entered into that group regardless of how they were brewed.
A good extract can easily stand up against all grain if brewed well with a good recipe. I think fermentation is way more important.
Quote from: molc on February 03, 2015, 05:45:33 PM
A good extract can easily stand up against all grain if brewed well with a good recipe. I think fermentation is way more important.
so can a well hacked kit
is there a wine category? i remember it was discussed but the search engine didn't find any decision.
Quote from: LordEoin on February 04, 2015, 01:37:10 AM
is there a wine category? i remember it was discussed but the search engine didn't find any decision.
Yep. I put the category in the registration system.
1 X 700ml bottle, yeah?
Probably a stupid question but are the award ceremonies taking place on the same days as judging?
Quote from: redshift on February 04, 2015, 10:00:33 PM
Probably a stupid question but are the award ceremonies taking place on the same days as judging?
Yep.
Not that it matters much at this stage but is the Imperial stout being judged in Dublin or Galway? It could do with the extra 2 weeks if possible!
Just wondering should I wrap my bottles up in something before dropping them off?
Quote from: dcalnan on February 07, 2015, 05:46:53 PM
Just wondering should I wrap my bottles up in something before dropping them off?
Yes, ten euro notes would be an idea
Hi guys, I have made a little mistake, I dropped my beer off at the wrong place in Cork Franciscan Well in stead of Cork Bradley's Supermarket, dont ask how I made this mistake because i dont know myself maybe I wanted one of their beers, I am wondering if there is anyone in the city that could grab it and pop it over to Bradleys only if it is no hassle maybe someone is dropping off their entry and passes the Well, I will ring the Franciscan Well tomorrow the guys are having a brew day maybe they will drop it over. Anyway thought i would ask here, Thanks guys
Quote from: dcalnan on February 07, 2015, 05:46:53 PM
Just wondering should I wrap my bottles up in something before dropping them off?
Bit of bubble wrap?
hey YENREN - im going to the fran well festival next weekend - im then stewarding in galway the following week - if your beer is for there i can collect and bring to the competition ?
Quote from: Rossa on January 30, 2015, 05:45:00 PM
Quote from: winstonia on January 30, 2015, 11:52:26 AM
Quote from: Rossa on January 30, 2015, 10:28:46 AM
Rubber band it onto the bottle please.
The label and entry form?
Just the system competition labels thanks.
Sorry folks - right in saying no need for fully filled out form? The comp labels is enough?
Putting it out there that the 'Barrel Competition' for next year should be changed to 'Collaborative Brews' which should not be exclusively Barrel Brews but accommodates Barrel Brews.
Dropped off my two beers to Des Next door off licence in limerick could see a few entries dropped off already..
Dropped my entries into Alfie's today, the barman knew what I was up to before I opened my mouth - woop!
Quote from: johnrm on February 08, 2015, 01:49:07 AM
Putting it out there that the 'Barrel Competition' for next year should be changed to 'Collaborative Brews' which should not be exclusively Barrel Brews but accommodates Barrel Brews.
Great suggestion. Like a club cup but for collaboration beers.
My thinking is that barrels are hard to come by plus the benefit of the barrel (oak, whiskey, vanilla) fades over time.
I dropped my entry into Egans in Portlaoise yesterday... took full advantage and got a couple of beers I haven't tried before.
Looking good lads and I would like to thank all involved with the organizing of this competition and the sponsors for a cracking prize that I am going to really enjoy when I pick it up :) :D
Well Dempsey . I made a late drop off last night of the best beer ever (a tribute) so you might have to wait for that prize
I went to the Well today, The lads there dropped a pair of bottles over to Bradleys, I have to assume these were yours Yenren.
Anyone else drop there entry off at Kavanagh's?? Barman didn't seem to know what I was on about with the drop off. Said he'd confirm with the manager. Is there anyway of getting confirmation that an entry has been processed?
Quote from: DoubleG on February 09, 2015, 01:45:19 PM
Anyone else drop there entry off at Kavanagh's?? Barman didn't seem to know what I was on about with the drop off. Said he'd confirm with the manager. Is there anyway of getting confirmation that an entry has been processed?
If we haven't got your beer and you have paid you will likely get an email or phone call next weekend from me. There are a few entries in kavanagh's and they know to expect them.
I'm in the same boat as DoubleG. Dropped my entry off in the oslo last night. The barman didn't know the craic, he was helpful though and said he'd ask the story.
On the comp entry site it still has me marked as unpaid even though I did. So I threw a print off of the paypal confirmation email along with the entry form.
Hope it's all good.
Edit: The competition entry site updated and has me marked as paid.
some places would have extra staff at the weekend cause its busier, could be no one told them about it, it happens
I dropped mine in Kavanagh's yesterday, Barman did look confused. But, I think it was the manager came over & collected them said he already had some dropped off.
I'm wondering how the comp structured. Do the high scorers from galway move on to dublin or are some styles judged in galway and some in dublin?
Not that I think I'll need to clear my calender.
Quote from: Frequent Sequence on February 10, 2015, 09:05:15 AM
I'm wondering how the comp structured. Do the high scorers from galway move on to dublin or are some styles judged in galway and some in dublin?
Not that I think I'll need to clear my calender.
Each gold medal winning entry goes to the best of show which will be held in Dublin.
Quote from: Rossa on February 10, 2015, 09:58:14 AM
Each gold medal winning entry goes to the best of show which will be held in Dublin.
Cheers Rossa. That makes sense. Guess I'll have to book the tuxedo for two weeks. :p
Is dublin only judging the best of shows? Oh dear, this stewarding could get messy... :)
x number of catagories will be judged in galway
y number of catagories + best in show will be judged in Dublin
Quote from: beerfly on February 10, 2015, 04:07:18 PM
x number of catagories will be judged in galway
y number of catagories + best in show will be judged in Dublin
Ah c'mere don't be starting with the quadratic equations will ya!
Galway entries have been collected by John this afternoon. Thanks John! Best of luck everyone.
Are both days open to the public?
Quote from: irish_goat on February 16, 2015, 12:15:29 PM
Are both days open to the public?
Yep. The bars will be open for business as usual.
Quote from: beerfly on February 10, 2015, 04:07:18 PM
x number of catagories will be judged in galway
y number of catagories + best in show will be judged in Dublin
Has the split been decided yet on what will be judged where?
I'll be in Galway over the weekend and staying in Salthill...will definitely drop in for a pint or two. What would be the best time do ye reckon? Lunchtime or 2o'clock-ish?
The judging should be finished by 4pm. We'll be hanging around after for pints and shite talk
There is nothing more enjoyable as a few pints and some quality shite talk. ;D
Quote from: Rossa on October 10, 2014, 08:27:06 AM
A quick note on the biggest homebrew competition this side of the water...
As last year we are going to run the competition over 2 days in 2 locations. The first leg will be in Galway with the Galway homebrewers hosting. The second day will take place in Dublin. Venues are tba. Again, entry numbers will be limit and entry fee will be similar to last year with a member discount.
Dates for your diary -
Feb 21 - Galway
March 7 - Dublin
Bottle collection cutoff - approx Feb 7th tbc.
Details-
As last year (with full details available on the competition website that is currently being updated and to be launched again in the next month or so).
2 x 500ml bottles power entry, as last year - the 330ml did not work for us last year at all.
We had a great contribution last year from stewards and judges and we will need it again to make next year a success. If you want to get involved keep an eye out on the forum for ways to do so or contact me directly.
FULL UPDATED INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND HERE: http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.ie/competition/entry (http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.ie/competition/entry)
Quote from: SlugTrap on February 18, 2015, 12:13:25 PM
Quote from: beerfly on February 10, 2015, 04:07:18 PM
x number of catagories will be judged in galway
y number of catagories + best in show will be judged in Dublin
Has the split been decided yet on what will be judged where?
All going well we will judge the following categories in Galway
3
2
6
7
11
12
19
20
21
23
22
35
So even if you dropped your bottles off in Dublin if its for the categories mentioned above it could be judged this weekend in Galway?
Quote from: DoubleG on February 19, 2015, 11:57:37 AM
So even if you dropped your bottles off in Dublin if its for the categories mentioned above it could be judged this weekend in Galway?
All bottles from around the country were brought to a warehouse and sorted into the catagory's and then the catagory's mention were shipped to Galway with the other catagory's shipped to Dublin :).
As per this
http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.com/forum/index.php/topic,8732.15.html
Nice one thanks, for any brewers who cant make it to Galway how will they find out how their beer did in the judging?
Quote from: DoubleG on February 19, 2015, 12:12:03 PM
Nice one thanks, for any brewers who cant make it to Galway how will they find out how their beer did in the judging?
They will all be on the competition system by 7pm on the day they were judged.
A couple of tweets throughout the day would be great. Not just results but how things are going throughout the day.
Good luck to all.
I'll try and do a few FB updates throughout the day anyway.
We can run a google on air hangout from my laptop camera. It will broadcast live on youtube. Il post a link here & ye can log in & watch in real time. If yer into that kind of thing 8)
Science, bitches!
http://youtu.be/9qZOQ9nCYEM
Live stream link. It might be some faces some of the time of people entering scores etc.
We will flip the camera around whenever there isnt data entry being done on the laptop.
Good work! Will keep an eye on it.
Awesome thanks! Best of luck today lads. :)
Bianca and I are working in shop until 5. Groan. But we will pitch up at about 5.30.
It's like live lumberjack cam!
How much for the private show? ;D
Is there a way to enable sound for the results?
The facebook updates are great too by the way :)
Almost done with the judging.
Here is the new link for the prize giving. Sound might be shite but sure its just a laptop camera.
http://youtu.be/QhRadzV4070
The suspense is killing me
Will the results of the Galway leg be posted?
looks like medals have been awarded
(https://scontent-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10659183_653619911431801_6133080030498523283_n.jpg?oh=e31d72ba40688cf8098cff0b0b3f5cf3&oe=55816615)
Woo! Half way there! :)
"They will all be on the competition system by 7pm on the day they were judged"
Where can I find this info?
They did say that earlier but in reality the score won't be available until the next round of the competition in Dublin. The software they are using is the cause of that. So a little more patience just 2 weeks to go.
Quote from: akavango on February 22, 2015, 01:51:52 PM
They did say that earlier but in reality the score won't be available until the next round of the competition in Dublin. The software they are using is the cause of that. So a little more patience just 2 weeks to go.
But we can see 1st-3rd for the Galway round, right?
I think so, that's the way it was last year.
The person who will post announced on Facebook that it should come soon.
Quote from: akavango on February 22, 2015, 01:51:52 PM
They did say that earlier but in reality the score won't be available until the next round of the competition in Dublin. The software they are using is the cause of that. So a little more patience just 2 weeks to go.
Your right. Full scores will be out on March 7. System dictates that.
Delighted I got an honorable mention !!!
( in reality I'm gutted I won't be winning best in show ... But how bad )
Congrats to all the successful Brewers !!!
Is there a schedule for the Dublin leg this Saturday? Do we know what time certain categories will be judged? What time will the winners be announced?
Schedule ..
Check in at 10.00
Briefing 10.15
Flight 1 10.30
Lunch 13.00
Flight 2 14.00
BOS 17.00
Awards Ceremony .. 18:00
As you can imagine, with close to 60 bodies, times are only a guide.
If I were you, get there at 6 - Sure you can always chill and have a pint either way !
Nice one Partridge thanks for the info.
Cheeky plug, few bits and pieces i can bring to the comp tomorrow if anyone needs, http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.com/forum/index.php/topic,9115.0.html
Great time was had yesterday. Meeting up with people from all aroung the country was a great day. :) Head is under reconstructing as I type ;D
Anyone know when the scoresheets will be emailed back to those of us unfortunate enough not to be in attendance?
One of my beers didn't get a score, was it that undrinkable! Also, do we know what took the BOS?
Quote from: Roo on March 08, 2015, 02:36:13 PM
Anyone know when the scoresheets will be emailed back to those of us unfortunate enough not to be in attendance?
They will be posted soon.
Quote from: helmet on March 08, 2015, 02:52:10 PM
One of my beers didn't get a score, was it that undrinkable! Also, do we know what took the BOS?
What was the entry number and category?
We didn't get the scoresheets when we were there either I think, unless they were handed out after I left. Then again, there were a few beers consumed by then.
Assuming they're going to get emailed out or something. Looking forward to getting my critique as well.
Your scoresheets will be posted out asap. It took 3 of us a few hours to get all the sheets put together in envelopes! I had my first pint and sit down at 10.40pm! After getting to Alfies at 9.30am! Please gives us a bit of slack guys we are only human! :)
Quote from: Rossa on March 08, 2015, 02:56:19 PM
Quote from: helmet on March 08, 2015, 02:52:10 PM
One of my beers didn't get a score, was it that undrinkable! Also, do we know what took the BOS?
What was the entry number and category?
0201 Cat 14b
I called in for a wee while yesterday, yis were working away with militant efficiency, very impressive. Fair play to everyone involved!
Quote from: Kellie on March 08, 2015, 03:00:24 PM
Your scoresheets will be posted out asap. It took 3 of us a few hours to get all the sheets put together in envelopes! I had my first pint and sit down at 10.40pm! After getting to Alfies at 9.30am! Please gives us a bit of slack guys we are only human! :)
Aye wasn't a dig Kellie. You guys were doing a stellar job yesterday. Great effort by all the team. Amazing to see how smoothly it all runs when you consider the number of moving parts
I know it wasn't a dig, just thought I would put it out there for everyone to get a feel of what actually goes in to the day. I know it's frustrating for everyone awaiting feedback. All the sheets where ready to pick up by about 10.15pm. This is wouldn't work without everyone chipping in and volunteering their time, I enjoy being in the hustle and bustle of the day. I am just wrecked today and not from too much alcohol! :) :)
Thank you Kellie and every one else who made this such a great success. Thank you for providing me the access to do rocknbrew. It was a cracking day and to top it all I got another medal. Really enjoyed it and The Venue Alfie Burns was the best of all the venue I had been so far.
See you next year.
QuoteThis is wouldn't work without everyone chipping in and volunteering their time
+1 - BIG thanks to all the organisers for their hard work - what an amazing day !!!
Thanks also to the stewards for volunteering their time - great to meet everyone and put faces to some of the names on the forum ;)
Received an honourable mention for my American pale ale. Really chuffed! Do you actually get a ribbon? Do I collect or what do I do? Thanks to all the volunteers!
Sorry,
There is no medal or ribbon or HM, but I will say - getting a 4th or 5th in Pale Ales is an outstanding effort, there was a boat load of entries in that category
Well done !
Ah cheers, it was my first entry and first extract beer without using a kit so I'm well pleased.
HM myself for my pale ale. Really happy with that result.
Highest scoring APA 2 years in a row but still no medal. >:(
Should your score be showing when you login?
Quote from: irish_goat on March 09, 2015, 10:37:18 AM
Highest scoring APA 2 years in a row but still no medal. >:(
is there somewhere you can see every score of every entry?
Nope, this isn't available for privacy reasons.
Ciaran, did I judge your APA? I judged an incredible APA that got a high 40s
I didn't do the mini BOS for that session but I was informed that the second bottle needed to be opened and it essentially blew up. A real pity.
Quote from: Tube on March 09, 2015, 12:13:00 PM
Last years are all available?
Stats were available. Names were not. Might do something similar.
Quote from: Saruman on March 09, 2015, 12:13:29 PM
Ciaran, did I judge your APA? I judged an incredible APA that got a high 40s
I didn't do the mini BOS for that session but I was informed that the second bottle needed to be opened and it essentially blew up. A real pity.
That was mine. Not sure what happened the 2nd bottle as I batch primed so they both should have been grand.
Quote from: Saruman on March 09, 2015, 12:13:29 PM
Ciaran, did I judge your APA? I judged an incredible APA that got a high 40s
Not mine unfortunately, probably Irish_Goats? I'm only interested for curiosity, got a reasonably high scoring porter (35) but my black ipa and american ipa's were both 25's.
Quote from: irish_goat on March 09, 2015, 12:15:36 PM
Quote from: Saruman on March 09, 2015, 12:13:29 PM
Ciaran, did I judge your APA? I judged an incredible APA that got a high 40s
I didn't do the mini BOS for that session but I was informed that the second bottle needed to be opened and it essentially blew up. A real pity.
That was mine. Not sure what happened the 2nd bottle as I batch primed so they both should have been grand.
ah, misread the quote... Great beer Thomas.
Quote from: Tube on March 09, 2015, 12:18:10 PM
Quote from: Rossa on March 09, 2015, 12:13:55 PM
Quote from: Tube on March 09, 2015, 12:13:00 PM
Last years are all available?
Stats were available. Names were not. Might do something similar.
He asked about scores, which are all available.
Eh?
Quote from: irish_goat on March 09, 2015, 10:37:18 AM
Highest scoring APA 2 years in a row but still no medal. >:(
That's pretty disappointing alright. I got a 45 in Cat 10 along with some comments that claimed it was an "world class example of the style". Yet it failed to get a mention. :( Unfortunately, the mini-BOS can sometimes just go against you, with different beers being sampled alongside each other.
Quote from: Tube on March 09, 2015, 12:20:00 PM
All 2014 scores (and beer names, numbers, recipes etc) are in the spreadsheet you posted!
Eh? Have you a link to that? no names were mentioned afaik.
Quote from: Tube on March 09, 2015, 12:22:51 PM
He only asked about scores, not brewer names
What?
Quote from: Ciaran on March 09, 2015, 10:59:58 AM
Quote from: irish_goat on March 09, 2015, 10:37:18 AM
Highest scoring APA 2 years in a row but still no medal. >:(
is there somewhere you can see every score of every entry?
Just to reassure everybody that no results will be posted here, as they were the first year, with names and scores. We might do some stats again but nobody will see their names attached to scores.
Is that not what he was talking about Shane ? I thought James made it pretty clear - a bit of privacy is no bad thing.
Should I be able to see my score from this year online?
Quote from: winstonia on March 09, 2015, 12:41:03 PM
Should I be able to see my score from this year online?
Yeah, log in and click "My Info and Entries". http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.ie/competition/
Quote from: irish_goat on March 09, 2015, 12:42:24 PM
Quote from: winstonia on March 09, 2015, 12:41:03 PM
Should I be able to see my score from this year online?
Yeah, log in and click "My Info and Entries". http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.ie/competition/
Any Idea When the BOS will be inserted?
BOS Winners were:
1. Someone's? - Weizenbock
2. John O' Connell - Helles
3. Jakub Scheibe - Baltic Porter
Quote from: irish_goat on March 09, 2015, 12:42:24 PM
Quote from: winstonia on March 09, 2015, 12:41:03 PM
Should I be able to see my score from this year online?
Yeah, log in and click "My Info and Entries". http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.ie/competition/
Yeah there is nothing showing, that mean my beer didn't get judged?
Just wanted to let you know that the RocknBrew NHC 2015 homebrew edition is now online https://www.mixcloud.com/Room101/rocknbrew-2015-03-08/.
Thanks again to all that participated in the show. Sorry I couldn't pout all the interview in the show but I have to make it last 2hours. I might if time allows make a director's cut of the show.
Great gig in Alfie Byrnes on Saturday!
Well done Rossa & team that gave up their time to make it all tick.
Sorry I didn't help more with cleanup - The early start was catching up with me by the end of Judging!
Quote from: Tube on March 09, 2015, 12:32:52 PM
No. Ciaran asked is there anywhere to see all scores (not names). James said no due to privacy. All scores from 2014 were posted.
Yeah. Have you a link for that?
Link to 2014 comp stats here (http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.com/forum/index.php/topic,6631.0.html).
Best get Derek to put his excel hat back on then ;)
If anyone has questions regarding specific entries please e-mail me as I won't see them on the forum as I do try to stay away from it. Cheers.
Having a similar spreadsheet for this year's comp would be great. At least it'll let me know how far off I was :)
Got my stuff in the post today. many thanks to the judges for their honesty and integrity . I'm still really pleased with the beer , there must be some amazing beers out there ahead of me !!
Well done to all the organisers and Brewers involved !!
Just want to thank all involved in running the competition. This was my first time entering a comp. I just received my feedback from the judges in the post and it was excellent. Will hopefully make my next batch of beer better. I will be entering more competitions from now on
So thanks all.
I just want to echo cronan's post. Some valuable feedback in the post today which will hopefully lead to better beer in the future. Thanks to James for going to the bother of posting it all out!
Quote from: cronan on March 11, 2015, 08:31:48 PM
I just received my feedback from the judges in the post
Very quick...brilliant!
Yeap - no stopping us, about 80% posted yesterday and all the rest posted this morning.
So all the scoresheets are working their way to their owners !
Did you like the envelopes ?
Very Fancy Smhancy !
Forgot to add- I have a few medals (6 I think) - I contact all the winners and arrange collection .. or post them in jiffy bags
but enough for tonight ..
Sorry one last thing ..
The sponsors kindly donated a bag of grain to all the gold winners - we will contact you over the next few days to arrange, dont worry - we havent forgot about ya !! ;)
Cheers guys, got mine today.
Thanks to all involved in this years comp, got my results to much anticipation. Great feedback, looking forward to brewing more beer and competitions.
Great stuff !
Its a huge group effort - hopefully more new guys involved next year !
Lads/Ladies -
All remaining uncollected medals were wrapped carefully in bubble wrap and posted Monday, so should arrive to the medal winners this week.
James
Medals arrived in the post today.. Chuffed to bits.. Thanks to all who volunteered there time... I'll be on the list next year
Received my medal today, thanks to all involved! :D
Quote from: Partridge9 on March 11, 2015, 10:02:09 PM
Yeap - no stopping us, about 80% posted yesterday and all the rest posted this morning.
So all the scoresheets are working their way to their owners !
Did you like the envelopes ?
Very Fancy Smhancy !
Forgot to add- I have a few medals (6 I think) - I contact all the winners and arrange collection .. or post them in jiffy bags
but enough for tonight ..
Sorry one last thing ..
The sponsors kindly donated a bag of grain to all the gold winners - we will contact you over the next few days to arrange, dont worry - we havent forgot about ya !! ;)
Anymore scoresheets to be posted? Haven't got mine yet
DEMPSEY has mine Derek.. Probably yours too
Got my medal today, cheers.
Yes Delzep I have yours :)
You've a habit of taking home scoresheets don't ye....
So far we have a couple of prize winning recipes posted here:
http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.com/forum/index.php/board,5.0.html (http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.com/forum/index.php/board,5.0.html)
Please share your recipes if you will. Imitation id the best form of flattery after all!
This forum is supposed to be the "must goto" to get greaet recipes
Thanks to all involved (esp. Rossa's Green Bin), got my score-sheet and was delighted that i didn't finish last in my group! Small victories ;)
The feedback was constructive and I will be taking it on board.
Looking forward to entering more competitions in the future.
Got my medal!
Thanks everybody organizing and helping out on this, great job.
-F