Home Brew Competition December 2017.

[IainM]

The competition for this month is British Pale Ales, Bitters and Milds, and I will be judging. If you have any questions about whether your beer fits the category then feel free to ask here or in a PM.

If you would like to enter, send me a PM and I'll give you the delivery address. This won't be judged until the second week of January. Feedback will be provided soon thereafter and the winner will be announced on this thread.

For details about what should be submitted and the rules of the competition, please look at this thread: http://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/sh...ad.php?t=64349

Best of luck to everyone!

 

[IainM]

One entry confirmed so far but there is still plenty of time to get your entries in.

 

[Dads_Ale]

Bottle in post today.

Get your entries in, don't let me win again :lol:

 

[IainM]

The first entry has arrived, a fine looking ale from @Dads_Ale

Still plenty of time to get your entries in. I've been researching extensively for judging, as I've been explaining to the wife at the supermarket checkout.

 

[Zephyr259]

I've been told that I should enter my London Bitter by the wife. Will post it later in the week.

 

[IainM]

I've been told that I should enter my London Bitter by the wife. Will post it later in the week.

Excellent. PM me and I'll send you my address.

 

[IainM]

OK folks, two weeks left to get your beers in. Only three entries so far so plenty of scope for forum glory.

 

[strange-steve]

I wish I'd something to enter one of these, is a brown ale pushing it?

 

[Dads_Ale]

I wish I'd something to enter one of these, is a brown ale pushing it?

Call it a mild :lol:

 

[IainM]

I wish I'd something to enter one of these, is a brown ale pushing it?

Not at all. I'm not going to be a style nazi.

EDIT: If you do then PM me as I'm having them sent to a different address.

 

[strange-steve]

Okay my "mild" is in the post. Sorry to be one of those people, but it could use a few days warm to carb up properly if you don't mind.
Cheers.

 

[IainM]

Okay my "mild" is in the post. Sorry to be one of those people, but it could use a few days warm to carb up properly if you don't mind.
Cheers.

No problem.

 

[IainM]

Alright chaps. Last chance to get your brews in. Hoping to get this judged 6th Jan ish, but can postpone if there are beers in the post.

 

[strange-steve]

You judging this tonight Iain?

 

[IainM]

You judging this tonight Iain?

Sorry, only just saw this. I was going to do it Saturday but decided I should squeeze a brew day in instead. I should get it done tomorrow night and give feedback on Thursday.

 

[IainM]

The beers are drunk and judged independently by myself and my wife. Firstly, congratulations to all brewers, all of them were competent and I wouldn't grumble if I was served any. It was close but nevertheless, there is a clear and unanimous winner.

First place: Global warming, bitter, 4.1%, @Dads_Ale
Second place: London bitter, best bitter, 4.7%, @Zephyr259
Joint third: Nutty man, ruby mild, 3.5%, @strange-steve
Joint third: Black cat bitter, bitter, 4.3%, @mozza

Congratualtion again to all, they were very enjoyable. I'll write up the notes and send detailed feedback and constructive criticism by PM tomorrow.

 

[DoctorMick]

Well done everyone.

How many entries did you get?

 

[Zephyr259]

Thanks Iain glad you enjoyed the beer. Congrats on the victory Dads_Ale.

 

[IainM]

As I've only just been able to log on again after the migration I might not be able to PM feedback until tomorrow.

Well done everyone.

How many entries did you get?

There were four entries in the end.

 

[Dads_Ale]

Well I must say I am very chuffed.
A big thanks to Ian for judging and the feedback and congrats the other competitors.

I am particularly pleased as I did a complete 35 litre brew essentially to enter a single bottle into this competition. Why? well I did a previous bitter that was intended to serve as the source for the competition entry but due to some mash temp issues it turned out a bit thin. Having already said I would enter I did another brew with a slightly different grain bill and a higher mash temp.. Saying that I am currently drinking the original brew via my beer engine and it has actually matured nicely.

Anyway enough of my ranting, here is the recipe:

Values are for a final volume in FV of 35litres
This came out reasonably hoppy.

Malt:
Pale (marris otter) - 4.5 kg
Wheat - 250g
Dark Crystal - 100g
Melanoidin - 300g
Flaked barley - 100g
Cara 3 - 50g

Mash at 66c for 90 mins

Hops (leaf):
60 mins
GP75 (7% AA) - 20g
Fuggles - 20g

15 mins
GP75 - 20g
Fuggles - 20g
Irish moss - 7g

5 mins
GP75 - 8g
Fuggles - 32g

OG was 1041
FG was 1010

Yeast S04

Bottle priming at 4g/l of brewing sugar