Random Style generator for 2015 comp

[Tom]

To properly challenge myself for the next brewing championship, I picked a random beer style out of a hat. I got Flanders Oud Bruin. I've never even had one, n'mind brewed one! But that's part of the challenge. Cat 17, watch out! My first deliberate sour.

Seeing as I'd chopped up all these tiny bits of paper with categories on them I thought I'd offer twitter users the chance to challenge themselves too, and @BeoirFinder picked up the gauntlet, as has @Kingfisherteas.

If anyone, like me, can't decide what to brew for the champs, why don't I pick a random style out of the hat for you?

Tweet me: @tommoville, or just ask here or chop up your own or whatever. It might open some brewing doors for you!

[johnrm]

Do me baby...

[armedcor]

I'm game!

[alealex]

Good one Tom.
Sour is going to be a challenge allright

[Dr Horrible]

Great idea! However, your Oud Bruin is very unlikely to be ready in time for the 2015 nationals.
Have one on myself (first one) that I brewed two months ago and have hidden at the back of the hotpress hopefully out of view of herself - has a serious growth on top now that I'm hoping is a pellicle.  Will leave until next summer/autumn (all recommendations I've seen say to try to leave it for about a year) and taste it then.

[LordEoin]

feck it, i'm in

[Tom]

@ Dr Horrible, I'll be using a sour wort technique to get the level of sourness I need. I was originally going to not include the sours or anything that took longer than the time I have left, but I'm just after reading Michael Tonsmeire'sa American Sour Ales, and it includes a recipe and technique for a speedy Oud Bruin.

John, Armedcor and LE, I'll wait and see if there are any more takers, then I'll pick out the styles tonight. Nice one, thanks for joining in!

[Kevco5]

I'll take a slice of that action!

[molc]

I'll take a random one there sure already have one entry made, but if it's possible, I could make this one too

[irish_goat]

Feck it, why not. Dunno if I could manage a lager though but sure we'll see what happens!

[Damien M]

Lads,

If ye have excel put the following in as a formula:

=RAND()*(23-0)+0 This will give you a random number between 1 and 23 to reflect the category. 
=RAND()*(6-1)+1   This will give you a random number between 1 and 6. to reflect the sub category 1 to 6 =A to F. If the above category has no sub ignore this!!!

After copying in or writing in the formula hit enter to generate the number. To regenerate select formula and hit enter again

Change the numbers to suit any chosen range
=RAND()*(b-a)+a
a = min number
b= max number

[eanna]

Put me down for a random one too!

[Tom]

And the results are in:

John RM: 9a, Scottish light, http://www.bjcp.org/2008styles/style09.php#1a can you beat the Dub Beer Ladies?

Armedcor: 6c, Kolsch, http://www.bjcp.org/2008styles/style06.php#1c Ciderhead also drew this, and he reckons he's on his game!

Lord Eoin: 14c, Imperial IPA http://www.bjcp.org/2008styles/style14.php#1c , or if you don't think you have time, 10b, American Amber Ale, http://www.bjcp.org/2008styles/style10.php#1b, plenty of hops either way!

Kevco5:2b, Bohemian Pilsner, http://www.bjcp.org/2008styles/style02.php#1b you'll no doubt be up against Masher Murphy with that one! Best of luck.

Molc: 4c, Schwarzbier, http://www.bjcp.org/2008styles/style04.php#1c a nice beer to try out on your family and friends this christmas.

Irish_Goat: 16c, Saison, http://www.bjcp.org/2008styles/style16.php#1c NICE! Embrace the funk.

eanna: 8b, Special/Best Bitter http://www.bjcp.org/2008styles/style08.php#1b Best drunk fresh, you've plenty of time to practice this style, so you're a good contender for gold!

There's a Kolsch, American Wheat/Rye and a Rauchbier doled out on twitter, as well as my Oud Bruin.

If you feel you don't have the facilities to brew your style properly (no fridge for example), don't believe you've enough time, or you simply feel you aren't being challenged enough, let me know and I'll dip my hand in again.

To see what you're up against, go here: http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.com/forum/index.php/board,5.0.html.

Thanks guys for making this fun! Can't wait to brew up and see you all in March.

[armedcor]

Ha Awesome. Just worked out my recipe!

[LordEoin]

grand job. both tough categories but I'll do the IIPA