National Homebrew Competition

[Deadhead]

Sounds like it would fall into 21A - American IPA - if it's quite bitter

 

[AJA]

Sounds like 18B to me. Might be marked down on being hazy. NEIPAs are allowed to be a bit bitter btw, I think this is down on ABV though,

 

[Braufather]

Sounds like 18B to me. Might be marked down on being hazy. NEIPAs are allowed to be a bit bitter btw, I think this is down on ABV though,

edit, cheers I’ll read up on 18b

 

[Braufather]

Sounds like it would fall into 21A - American IPA - if it's quite bitter

Already got one of those

 

[Deadhead]

Already got one of those

Mmm, becomes a toss up on what you want. If you enter in the 'wrong category' you might have a great beer, but not meeting the style it won't do too well. But two in the same category, you complete against yourself.

You could go for Hazy IPA - even if it's lower ABV? Just try and read through and figure out which fits best for the flavour profile and mouthfeel of your beer.

 

[Braufather]

Think I’ll risk Ithe american pale ale catorgory with it as you can’t have two in same catorgory

 

[Deadhead]

Think I’ll risk Ithe american pale ale catorgory with it as you can’t have two in same catorgory

Oh yeah ,of course, that's right. It blocks you out from entering in the same category.
Good luck!

 

[AJA]

Think I’ll risk Ithe american pale ale catorgory with it as you can’t have two in same catorgory

So you are my direct competition! I too have entered an 18B and 21A. An APA and a Westie.

 

[Braufather]

So you are my direct competition! I too have entered an 18B and 21A. An APA and a Westie.

I was going to enter a zombie dust style beer but it got drunk, so it’s my hazy citra sort of pale ale instead, and a westy. First comp so just in it for the feedback really! Don’t think I’ll pose a threat!

 

[nickjdavis]

So you are my direct competition! I too have entered an 18B and 21A. An APA and a Westie.

Not to be confused with a 26A, B or D type of Westy.

 

[Braufather]

Should be ok. In woodworkers in Belfast. One of these beers is white hag session ipa and the other is overtone laughter American pale ale.

They look and taste near enough identical.( edit look same but don’t taste the same. As expected ipa more bitter after a few sips and the mrs has swapped)

As an aside 7 of 14 beers on tap are NEIPAs not including these two hazies.

Remember the days when craft beer offered some variation? I did spy an Amber I’ll have next but that’s the one exception!

Ps they look dark in picture but they are very light straw coloured!

 

[Northern_Brewer]

This is my first completion entered.

Any ideas what catorgory to put a 5% hazy citra pale ale in. Basiclly Maris otter with a smudge of oats, verdant yeast and loads of hops. Has an intentional gentle bitter backbone so def not in the NEIPA catorgory.

It's a myth that NEIPAs have little bitterness, personally I think their flavour benefits a lot from a "bitter backbone" (and there can be other advantages to an early addition, as hop acids suck up some iron & copper to reduce staling)
21B. Specialty IPA: New England IPA :
The perceived bitterness can be somewhat low to *medium-high*, often being masked by the body and finish of the beer.

But you're light on the ABV and may not be hop-saturated enough for a NEIPA. Really what we need is a "juicy bitter" category to reflect what's really going on in British beer at the moment.

But one option would be a "double 21B" if it feels NEIPAish but weaker -

"21B Specialty IPA with a base style of 21B. Specialty IPA: New England IPA with Session strength"

But if you're looking at something that is effectively like the bottled version of Oakham Citra, then 12A. British Golden Ale does allow
"Good to brilliant clarity...Medium to medium-high bitterness. Hop flavor is moderate to moderately high of any hop variety, although citrus flavors are increasingly common....Hop bitterness and flavor should be pronounced....Once brewed with English hops, increasingly American citrus-flavored hops are used....Often uses (and features) American hops, more so than most other modern British styles. Balance of hoppiness between a Blonde Ale and an American Pale Ale.
IBU 20-45
ABV 3.8% - 5%

And if all else fails, you've got 34B. Mixed-Style Beer with a base style of BGA or APA, but in general you want to try and avoid 34B if you can.

 

[YeastFace]

Not to be confused with a 26A, B or D type of Westy.

The real Westy.

 

[Alastair70]

Sorry for the numpty question. I'd bottled up 3 to send but then only 2 labels printed out.

How many do they want? I cant find the info on the website.

EDIT: Ignore this question. My 15-year old is 5 pints behind me at the minute. I got her to read the page for me. It's definitely 2 bottles.

 

[Deadhead]

Remember the days when craft beer offered some variation? I did spy an Amber I’ll have next but that’s the one exception!

That’s why I brew my own!

 

[Braufather]

Really what we need is a "juicy bitter" category to reflect what's really going on in British beer at the moment.

juicy and bitter or a juicy “English bitter“?
Both sound good to me!

 

[YeastFace]

Yep 2 x 330-500ml bottles.

 

[Braufather]

The real Westy.

The testies of the westies ( balls on the falls)

 

[Northern_Brewer]

juicy and bitter or a juicy “English bitter“?
Both sound good to me!

"Juicy bitter" is a phrase that I think was invented by Jeff Alworth a few years ago to describe the "modern" bitters like Jarl, Citra and Galatia - see this (and the following articles, always good to see how others see us)
https://www.beervanablog.com/beervana/2019/9/10/juicy-bitter-on-cask

 

[Braufather]

Will look out for it.