National Competition 2016

[irish_goat]

Agreed it's a good discussion. I'll sum up the arguments.

Benefits of non-members:
Extra entry fees
Potential they'll sign up as members
Gets the NHC name out there more
Makes the competition more prestigious

Benefits of members only:
Less work involved so the competition would be an easier, more enjoyable experience
Member's efforts are benefiting members
Standard in theory should be higher, less bad beer entered as more is judged at local level

Compromises:
Charge non-members more
Allow judges to spend very little time on a sub 20 beer

[Garry]

In my opinion, if the competition is restricted to members only, then it's not the national competition anymore. It's just a competition for NHC members and that dilutes the accolade.

I've no problem charging non-members extra to enter.  Suggest €15 for first entry and €10 for subsequent entrys.

[delzep]

Non members pay 15 euro per entry and get 'free' 1 years membership

Trouble is if you give out something for free people don't value it or respect it.

Better for them to buy into the idea of a years membership.

Also agrree that as most of our non-members are city based and near local groups we cannot ignore the solitary/re,ote brewers in our midst.

Lets not be too Dublin-centric about this!

The wording could be bettered alright, something like "€15 for non-members which includes one years membership to the NHC" or similar

[pob]

(Solution) Non-Members: Get charged €15 for first entry (& €10? thereafter), this then also gets them a years membership to club.

Most other organisations require membership of a club/associations to take part.

The object of the competition is to differentiate between the better beers, not weed out the poor/sub 20s. The feedback given is to improve these further, and shouldn't be relied basic brewing errors (temp control, sanitation, handling/storage, etc).

Brewers also need to taste their beer before it's submitted, just because it tasted good two months ago, doesn't mean it still does now or in 2/3weeks time when the beers is being judged. (There will be good beers that fall on judging day, that's where the 2nd bottle comes in. If that is also poor/bad, then it suggests it wasn't checked beforehand).

Brewers need to get their beers assessed beforehand by other brewers, before they enter them. If you don't have someone local, ask here for somebody to help out.

The purpose of the NHC is to promote & improve home brewing. By being a member it strengthens the community & increases the group experience/knowledge. Members then associate & clubs form. The skills & experience is then shared between them, everyone learns new things. Better beer is brewed.

Feedback is given at a local level, preventing poor beers being entered.

[Rossa]

The purpose of the NHC is to promote & improve home brewing. By being a member it strengthens the community & increases the group experience/knowledge. Members then associate & clubs form. The skills & experience is then shared between them, everyone learns new things. Better beer is brewed.

[Bubbles]

I'm surprised there's not more discussion on the forum about the nationals given that the closing date for entries is probably around 4 months away! 

A few questions I have:

- Have the dates and venues been confirmed yet?
- Has the divisive question of whether to restrict the competition to members been resolved yet?
- Is the comp going to be using the 2008 or 2015 guidelines?
- Given the increased number of categories in the 2015 guidelines, are medals to be awarded in all of the categories?
- Should we just let Rossa and Bren arm-wrestle for the "Best Brewer" award and we can all go home a bit earlier?

[irish_goat]

Announcements coming very soon! 

[Bubbles]

Hoo-hoo!!! 

[johnrm]

It's bubbling in the background.
Blup, blup...

[Hop Bomb]

Its no different to an open comp at your local golf club.

Members pay 5e for a round.
Non members pay 15e usually.

Both can win if they shoot the best round. Its pretty simple.

[Leann ull]

Announcement Imminent
No Non members as previously advised allowed enter, pay yer tenner!
More importantly get feckin brewing!!!

[brenmurph]

I'm surprised there's not more discussion on the forum about the nationals given that the closing date for entries is probably around 4 months away! 

A few questions I have:

- Have the dates and venues been confirmed yet?
- Has the divisive question of whether to restrict the competition to members been resolved yet?
- Is the comp going to be using the 2008 or 2015 guidelines?
- Given the increased number of categories in the 2015 guidelines, are medals to be awarded in all of the categories?
- Should we just let Rossa and Bren arm-wrestle for the "Best Brewer" award and we can all go home a bit earlier?

We are in good brewing form....no dought we work hard at it... we will be entering again, in fact we are already brewing a lager... but let me tell ye some of our kildare brewers are on my tail....nearly everything they know was learned from me  but I havnt taught them everything I know

On a more serious note...theres a few months to get cracking on the 2016 nationals so get stuck in...we are good brewers as Rossa is but theres loads of opportunity to beat us. As a community we done extraordinarily well at UK and yes we finished 1 and 3 in the summer but I took bronze from 5 uk entries... hassetbrew ( a very new kid on the block) took 2 x gold from 2 entries....yes with our support.......which is always open to nhc members.....we are very happy to help new and existing brewers move up the championship ranks...to myself and kellie its as good as winning the medals ourselves...

so get brewing for the nationals 2016 and get to a brewday down our way and do what hassetbrew done...one of the best achievements in the clubs history..2 gold from 2 entries in the tough Uk nationals ( LAB and Bristol brewers are top notch)...even I didnt do that...

GET BREWIN!

[Bubbles]

Fair play to you, bren. We'll meet on the day so!

I've got a tasty Belgian mashing as we speak. Hopefully will be an entry next year.

[hassettbrew]

We are in good brewing form....no dought we work hard at it... we will be entering again, in fact we are already brewing a lager... but let me tell ye some of our kildare brewers are on my tail....nearly everything they know was learned from me  but I havnt taught them everything I know

I have cameras in your brewhouse bren.

[Garry]

Locking this thread too. Continue the conversation here.