LAB Open 2024 - Fesitval & BOS Sunday 19 May

[Deadhead]

Ouch, those scores of mine are terrible. Lol, though I expected one of them (wasn’t even gonna send it , but definitely wanted some feedback on what to do with it)
The other one, ahh well! Let’s see what they say. We still like it!
I can brew an awesome lager (of many styles) and as soon as I venture from that, I struggle. Good to keep trying!

 

[MickDundee]

Wow, 42 for the witbier! Absolutely delighted with that!

I usually go in for competitions saying if I score above 30 I’m happy and anything else is a bonus.

30, 32 and 42 so I’m pretty chuffed (and shows that I actually can bottle a NEIPA from keg without it oxidising - it was only about 4th time lucky )

 

[YeastFace]

Great day. Had some amazing beers and met lots of quality people. Venue and weather were perfect.

Results weren't too shabby either

 

[dave_77]

Well done everyone on their scores. Looking forward to seeing the comments as the beer I thought would score higher didn't what do I know
Porter -29pts & Altbier 37pts. Not bad.

On to the next comp ...

 

[JockyBrewer]

Scoresheets are now available.

 

[Deadhead]

Scoresheets are now available.

Top work!

 

[Hazelwood Brewery]

I’m most curious though about the feedback on my first ever Brut IPA. I didn’t really rate it (and it didn’t place so neither did they obviously ) but I’m interested to hear what they have to say on it.

The Brut IPA scored 32 (33 & 31) so scored higher than I expected and higher I think than I would have scored it.

The feedback was pretty good with the suggested improvements being to improve head retention and give the beer more aroma hops.

I noted myself a lack of hoppiness when trying a sample a week or so ago so in the main no surprises (apart from the score! ).

 

[Deadhead]

Ahh that's really interesting - both my beers had significant issues with cleaning/sanitation coming up in different ways. Always disappointing (not because of the judges! They're awesome and have much better taste buds than me it seems) to read 'underlying a really great beer but flawed due to sanitation' - Yikes. At least I know where to go! Might need some new Star-San as mine is quite old and maybe a new bottling bucket. New silicone hoses. Everything else stainless steel is getting a good good clean down.

 

[Hazelwood Brewery]

Ahh that's really interesting - both my beers had significant issues with cleaning/sanitation coming up in different ways. Always disappointing (not because of the judges! They're awesome and have much better taste buds than me it seems) to read 'underlying a really great beer but flawed due to sanitation' - Yikes. At least I know where to go! Might need some new Star-San as mine is quite old and maybe a new bottling bucket. New silicone hoses. Everything else stainless steel is getting a good good clean down.

It’s quite surprising, and frustrating, how you can be really fastidious about cleaning and sanitisation but still get caught out. For example, flushing my plate chiller with sodium hydroxide was an eye-opener!

 

[Deadhead]

Ouch, those scores of mine are terrible. Lol, though I expected one of them (wasn’t even gonna send it , but definitely wanted some feedback on what to do with it)
The other one, ahh well! Let’s see what they say. We still like it!
I can brew an awesome lager (of many styles) and as soon as I venture from that, I struggle. Good to keep trying!

Yeah, so umm, one of these beers had a noted wild yeast infection - was a really young beer when it went off to competition. But 2 weeks ago, my husband and I had a lot of fun opening the remaining bottles in the garden. Under water. With safety goggles and gloves on. And we still got covered in beer. They were properly gushing. Volcanic eruption every bottle we opened. 10+ish years homebrewing and that was a 1st for me!