May competition - American Pale Ales

[MackemBrew]

Hey, do these run each month?

Would be interested in getting some feedback on my brews!! Pkus it's an excuse to brew more

 

[-Bezza-]

What do we have to do to revitalise the interest and entries to keep this comp (monthly or quarterly) going??

I'm interested in playing. Just need to get on top of the brews and figure out how to bottle from the keg. Don't give up!!

 

[strange-steve]

I know the categories have been generalised already, but what if there were only 3 categories, light, dark, and freestyle? Too general?

 

[user 23602]

Well, I'm new here and once I'm up to speed and have beers ready for dishing out... I will definitely be joining in.

 

[-Bezza-]

I know the categories have been generalised already, but what if there were only 3 categories, light, dark, and freestyle? Too general?

Or just no styles at all? Everything freestyle?

I must admit, for someone who doesn't get to brew too frequently, having the right style available at the right time can be a bit tricky. Fortunately my BIPA fits either the May or June categories!

 

[Leon103]

I have shared my thoughts with the administration and hopefully we hear back soon.

I must have sent my address to a dozen people but only 3 entries and two of those would have sent me their beers anyway.

At the beginning of the year I asked via a poll what did everyone want and they said they wanted it to remain the same.

Personnally I think we should be looking at bi monthly or quarterly.

 

[Hoddy]

I have shared my thoughts with the administration and hopefully we hear back soon.

I must have sent my address to a dozen people but only 3 entries and two of those would have sent me their beers anyway.

At the beginning of the year I asked via a poll what did everyone want and they said they wanted it to remain the same.

Personally I think we should be looking at bi monthly or quarterly.

I agree with reducing the frequency. That way it would allow people to brew a beer in those 3/4 months that could go into a comp and also increase the entry rate and make the competition a bit more "special" if you know what i mean?

I think keeping the styles more general is the right thing, then with it being quarterly, you would get a 2019 Dark Beer, English Beer American IPA/Pale ale champ of the year. Much more kudos!!!

 

[SteveH]

Was planning to enter this month but wasn't 100% happy with how my IPA turned out, it's not bad, but not really competition-worthy unfortunately!

Definitely keen to see this continue one way or another, the feedback I got from a previous entry was helpful, and I'm trying to keep a few bottles by for future months (e.g make sure I've not drunk it all by the time the right style comes around! )

Congrats to those that did enter

 

[dan125]

I know the categories have been generalised already, but what if there were only 3 categories, light, dark, and freestyle? Too general?

This would make it easier to have something ready to enter, as I don't think anyone brews specifically to enter the forum comps. But may make judging harder as you'd be comparing very different beers

 

[dan125]

I've noticed we don't seem to get many kit or extract beers entered - maybe specific comps for these groups would open the comps up to more folks?

 

[Leon103]

Perhaps loss the word competition and make it more about reviewing beers.

 

[dan125]

Perhaps loss the word competition and make it more about reviewing beers.

Wouldn't that be just like a bottle swap without getting a beer back in return?
I think the big summer/xmas swaps are so popular because you get a chance to try someone elses beer and I wonder if the comps could be organised in a way where entrants get a chance to see for themselves how their beer stacks up against someone elses??
A few (probably not very practical) ideas are:

Judges have to send a bottle back to each entrant - could have a cap on number of entries per judge to keep costs limited, which could also possibly allow for more judges to get involved.

A round robin type comp - send a beer to next person on the list and rate it against you own

Smashoff style comp - send and receive a bottle to and from everyone in a group (say 5 max - £15 postage) and all judge each others. Group winners could go on to 'grand final'

 

[-Bezza-]

I'm a little daunted by the idea of judging other people's beer as the people who have been judging seem to know so much about beer.

You're all like, I can taste the chinook in this one but would have suggested adding it slightly later in the boil. I'm also getting a hint of Vienna malt flavour.

I'm like, I think this is either an APA or a bitter. It tastes nice.

 

[Oneflewover]

I'm a little daunted by the idea of judging other people's beer as the people who have been judging seem to know so much about beer.

You're all like, I can taste the chinook in this one but would have suggested adding it slightly later in the boil. I'm also getting a hint of Vienna malt flavour.

I'm like, I think this is either an APA or a bitter. It tastes nice.

Haha, I was a bit like that before judging the January comp. But it really isn't that serious, and I really enjoyed judging.

I keep meaning to enter comps but either don't have something suitable at the time or life gets in the way....

 

[Leon103]

Wouldn't that be just like a bottle swap without getting a beer back in return?
I think the big summer/xmas swaps are so popular because you get a chance to try someone elses beer and I wonder if the comps could be organised in a way where entrants get a chance to see for themselves how their beer stacks up against someone elses??
A few (probably not very practical) ideas are:

Judges have to send a bottle back to each entrant - could have a cap on number of entries per judge to keep costs limited, which could also possibly allow for more judges to get involved.

A round robin type comp - send a beer to next person on the list and rate it against you own

Smashoff style comp - send and receive a bottle to and from everyone in a group (say 5 max - £15 postage) and all judge each others. Group winners could go on to 'grand final'

Some good ideas. All 3 entrants this month will have a bottle returned

 

[samale]

Leon I posted my pale ale today. A bit late for the competition but an honest review is good enough for me. Just couldn't make the cut of date. Hope you enjoy

 

[Leon103]

Leon I posted my pale ale today. A bit late for the competition but an honest review is good enough for me. Just couldn't make the cut of date. Hope you enjoy

Thank you. Once arrived I will give it a couple of days in the fridge and let you know what I think.

 

[Ghillie]

Thanks for judging @Leon103 and for the feedback, appreciate it a lot!

Well done @Hoddy and @dan125!

I have to agree, three entrants into the competition for “likely” the most popular craft beer style is poor...

For me, it’s all about the feedback - which is why I do bottle swaps with other members where I can. A competition is just another means of feedback, but with a wee bonus of feeling good about yourself too. Potentially of course.

Genuinely don’t know what could be done to encourage more entrants. The only perceivable thing I can see that may put folk off is packaging and labelling for posting?

We seem to have plenty members actively brewing - so I find it surprising they’re not wanting honest feedback on their beers. It costs just a couple of quid to post one.

 

[samale]

Thanks for judging @Leon103 and for the feedback, appreciate it a lot!

Well done @Hoddy and @dan125!

I have to agree, three entrants into the competition for “likely” the most popular craft beer style is poor...

For me, it’s all about the feedback - which is why I do bottle swaps with other members where I can. A competition is just another means of feedback, but with a wee bonus of feeling good about yourself too. Potentially of course.

Genuinely don’t know what could be done to encourage more entrants. The only perceivable thing I can see that may put folk off is packaging and labelling for posting?

We seem to have plenty members actively brewing - so I find it surprising they’re not wanting honest feedback on their beers. It costs just a couple of quid to post one.

My beer is wrapped in bubble wrap and put in an old shoe box. It cost 3.55 first class which I thought was cheap.

 

[Hoddy]

My beer is wrapped in bubble wrap and put in an old shoe box. It cost 3.55 first class which I thought was cheap.

Second class via RM is only £2.90