Smithwicks Homebrew Challenge

[irish_goat]

Smithwicks have just launched their winter ale competition. It's a homebrew competition aimed at finding a "winter ale", so essentially they are looking for something like a red ale, porter or stout. The only restriction is on what hops to use; Admiral; Magnum; Challenger; UK Goldings; Willamette; Saaz. You get 100g of Admiral hops just for registering as well.

The prize is €1,000 plus the opportunity to brew 1000 litres on the pilot plant in St.James Gate and see your beer appear nationwide and in your local. There'll be a swanky awards do as well and all the palaver you'd expect that goes with it if you win. Judging will be done by a mix of people including homebrewers and master brewers. It won't be done to BJCP guidelines but rather be done subjectively, i.e. they're just looking for a good beer. Kit beers are allowed and if they win the brewers will try to deconstruct the recipe and convert it to all-grain. 

Full details plus how to enter are here. https://smithwickshomebrewchallenge.ie

From a club point of view, I hope we get some entries and I'd like to think someone in the club will win. I'm aware that not everyone (myself included) are big fans of macro breweries but I see it as a great opportunity for the club to get some publicity and get new members. Journalists such as Rick O'Shea will be taking part and talking about the competition on air and will plug the NHC and sites such as the journal.ie are willing to do articles for us.

If anyone has questions feel free to fire away. 

[Paul B]

Hi Thomas, there's some confusion happening on whatsapp on whether stouts are allowed. They are technically ales but... Do you know where they sit on this? Also, do admiral hops *have* to go into the brew or can you use any of the listed hops on from the website, e.g. magnum only.

[armedcor]

On the site it says the admiral hops must be used. I'd be interested to know if a stouts accepted though.

[irish_goat]

Stouts are fine, afaik. They do say you have to use the Admiral hops, but I will double check both questions. In reality, I don't see how they can prove you did or didn't use them.

[molc]

Entries ready by 27th October. Going to be tight to get it brewed and conditioned. Basically need to brew in the next 7 days but how long before the hops come out?

[irish_goat]

Entries ready by 27th October. Going to be tight to get it brewed and conditioned.

Yep. It was due to be launched last week, not sure what the hold up was. A nice red ale or porter brewed this weekend would be ready in time though. 

[molc]

Yup but when do they send out the hops. If we're late because they come out late, do we get in trouble etc?

[Leann ull]

Some of you need to get your cheque books ready!

T&C's
13.   Entrants warrant that any homebrew ale submitted is of good drinkable quality, free from irritants, chemicals or other substances that could cause harm. Entrants agree to indemnify the Promoter against any personal injury, loss or damage caused as a result of consumption of an entrant's product.

We'd be millionaires if we did that for the Nationals

[Leann ull]

Hi Thomas, there's some confusion happening on whatsapp on whether stouts are allowed. They are technically ales but... Do you know where they sit on this? Also, do admiral hops *have* to go into the brew or can you use any of the listed hops on from the website, e.g. magnum only.

My understanding when I first read it is that it must contain Admiral and that you can use everything else there after

7.   Entrants must register by 2nd October, online at [www.smithwickshomebrewchallenge.ie] to receive Admiral hops for use in the brewing process. If entrants wish to use additional hop varieties, they can choose from the following: Magnum; Challenger; UK Goldings; Willamette; Saaz. Admiral hops are strictly subject to availability.

But then reading that condition I'm not sure, IG can you verify?

http://www.britishhops.org.uk/admiral-class-tall/

[Tom]

You know they've got the NHC logo on their website?

[Leann ull]

and a hyperlink back to us as well! 
There is a discussion to be had but best in the members area 

[Pheeel]

I'd love to enter but the timelines and the requirement on Admiral are too much of a constraint to get it ready in time

[irish_goat]

Ok just to confirm, stouts are actually not ok. I think they want to avoid making something close to Guinness. So when they say "winter ale" I think they actually mean something that's between red and brown coloured. :/

The Admiral hops will be posted out as soon as you've registered so get on it tonight and you should have them for the weekend.

[LordEoin]

When i think of winter beers or christmas beers I think BIG, strong, heavy and packed with flavor.
But at the same time they're probably looking for something a little less shocking to Joe Public, and with a bit of a profit margin.
Challenge accepted. I'm in

[Leann ull]

Wheres me orange rind peeler, "chestnuts roasting on an open fire"