Beer festivals and contests
That time of year is approaching! Yesterday I sent off a bunch of beer to the North American Beer Awards in Idaho. I sent six brands all together, not all of them are medal worthy batches, but at 15 bucks for an entry, it is worth it to get back the judges comments. Its alot cheaper than say, sending my beer to Siebel to be tested for ’style analysis’ and to be told that ‘yes its appropriate for the style’. That cost me 150 bucks, and I did not get the detailed criticism that I get from the NABA.
I recieved the comments from the World Beer Cup this week. Overall, the comments where very good. Both the Schild Brau and Schokolade Bock made it to the second round. However, all three judges decided the bock belonged in the Schwarz Beer Category. I had considered sending it into that category, but some consultations with some local homebrewers convinced me that it was better off as a bock. *sigh* Its hard to conform! The comments were so good though that I wish this beer was around all year so I could enter it into more contests!
The Schild Brau recieved good comments, but judges felt it was too bitter, had too much caramel flavor, and was too dark. Well I don’t feel bad about those complaints! These complaints have been consistent enough from contest to contest that I am seriously considering producing a toned down version for the GABF next year. Especially since they are no longer allowing people to enter the same beer into mutiple categories (my strategy last year). I think this is due to Pete’s Wicked winning medals in the Scotch and Brown Ale categories. I bet the judges felt tricked by that!!
Also on this subject, I entered my Schild Brau into the United States Beer Tasting Championships in March, but never heard a thing from them. There website still has not been updated, and my email has not been replied too. Anyone know what is up?
September 18th will be a Big Day. The Davenport Brew-ha-ha Festival , the Iowa City Brew Festival, and the Mount Horeb Grumpy Troll Festival are all on this day. Can we say POOR PLANNING? Although the Mount Horeb fest looks like fun, and the Mayor of the town personally called me and invited me, i’m not sure how I can be at three places at once. Worse still, we only have two tapboxes to serve from. If anyone reading this knows someone would like to be our stand in at the Mount Horeb fest, please email the brewery.
In concert with John’s Grocery, I’m proud to say that our beer will be featured at the Iowa City Shakespeare Festival. If you don’t have tickets, get them now! Its a great time, drinking good beer outside in a real shakespeare style ampitheatre.