Competition Questions

[GuingesRock]

I need some guidance, and I thought others might possibly need the same. We’re a team. Brewnosers out there, and it’s quite the team.

I was thinking of sending some beers to the ALES competition.

How do you send off beer? Canada Post? Courier? If courier which one? I seem to remember reading people having problems sending beer between provinces and not being allowed to …I don’t know if that’s correct.

I have a slightly too bitter weisen that has lots of tropical flavours (Australian Galaxy – peach and passion fruit), it’s quite fruity and has medium bubblegum, only slight banana and clove, with 36.4% wheat, 22.7% Vienna, 36.4% Pilsner. What class can I enter it in?

I thought I’d post a Competition timetable.

Thanks

2014 Canadian home brew competition calendar


CowTown Yeast WRanglers Homebrew Roundup
Entry Deadline: February 14, 2014
Website: http://yeastwranglers.brewcompetition.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Lethbridge Werthogs WertContest
Entry Deadline: February 28, 2014
Website: http://www.werthogs.com/2.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

2014 ALES Open
Entry Deadline: April 3, 2014
Website: http://www.alesclub.com/alesopen2014" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

2014 VanBrewer Awards
Entry Deadline: TBA (expect a mid to late April 2014)
Website: http://vanbrewerawards.ca" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Edmonton Homebrewers Guild Aurora Brewing Challenge
Entry Deadline: May 16, 2014
Website: http://www.ehg.ca" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

MontreAlers Ale and Lager Throwdown
Entry Deadline: TBA (expect a deadline in early May 2014)
Website: http://www.montrealers.ca" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Victoria Amateur Brewing Competition
Entry Deadline: TBA (expect a deadline in late May 2014)
Website: http://camra.ca/abc/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Beau’s Oktoberfest & Members of Barleyment Annual Homebrew Competition
Entry Deadline: TBA (expect a deadline in September)
Website: http://www.beaus.ca/oktoberfest_homebrew_comp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Winnipeg BrewBombers/Half Pints Pro Am Brew Challenge
Entry Deadline: TBA (expect a late November 2014)
Website: http://winnipegbrewbombers.ca" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[RubberToe]

I have a huge post that I started a while ago about this sort of thing but never got around to actually posting. What to expect from a competition, etc. I'll dig it out tomorrow for ya!

[GuingesRock]

Thanks

[NASH]

I need some guidance, and I thought others might possibly need the same. We’re a team. Brewnosers out there, and it’s quite the team.

I was thinking of sending some beers to the ALES competition.

How do you send off beer? Canada Post? Courier? If courier which one? I seem to remember reading people having problems sending beer between provinces and not being allowed to …I don’t know if that’s correct.

I have a slightly too bitter weisen that has lots of tropical flavours (Australian Galaxy – peach and passion fruit), it’s quite fruity and has medium bubblegum, only slight banana and clove, with 36.4% wheat, 22.7% Vienna, 36.4% Pilsner. What class can I enter it in?

Sounds like an AWA - American Wheat Ale, as opposed to Pale.

Ship the beer any way you want but you can't label it as beer or it ain't goin' nowhere. I'd always label my contents as glassware or something else that'd make sense for the weight of the package.

[NASH]

I have a huge post that I started a while ago about this sort of thing but never got around to actually posting. What to expect from a competition, etc. I'll dig it out tomorrow for ya!

TubberRooooooooooooooooooooooe!

[GuingesRock]

I need some guidance, and I thought others might possibly need the same. We’re a team. Brewnosers out there, and it’s quite the team.

I was thinking of sending some beers to the ALES competition.

How do you send off beer? Canada Post? Courier? If courier which one? I seem to remember reading people having problems sending beer between provinces and not being allowed to …I don’t know if that’s correct.

I have a slightly too bitter weisen that has lots of tropical flavours (Australian Galaxy – peach and passion fruit), it’s quite fruity and has medium bubblegum, only slight banana and clove, with 36.4% wheat, 22.7% Vienna, 36.4% Pilsner. What class can I enter it in?

Sounds like an AWA - American Wheat Ale, as opposed to Pale.

Ship the beer any way you want but you can't label it as beer or it ain't goin' nowhere. I'd always label my contents as glassware or something else that'd make sense for the weight of the package.

Thanks! I checked 6D and I think it fits.

[RubberToe]

Last year / 2013 was the first year I’ve entered any of my brews into competition and it has helped me learn a lot. I tallied it up and in 2013 I entered 7 competitions: OBK, Werthogs, Cowtown, ALES, Vanbrewers, Garrison, Big Spruce. 4 of those were part of the Canadian Brewer of The Year circuit and I placed in 3 of those.

8 medals: 2 gold, 3 silver, 3 bronze, plus lots of losing too. A few of those medals were co-brewed with Jamie A. Thanks, bud! Fun times. Apparently I was bumped down to 23rd place (was 6th before I stopped entering) and the Brewnosers finished in 10th.

Entering competitions is a lot of work. It’s not cheap either. You have to brew your beer (on time), bottle it appropriately, package it up carefully, and fill out forms. Boxing up entries and filling out forms is a full night’s work.

Some competitions are run better than others. Some clubs have been running competitions annually for years, others are just starting, and there are one offs. When a competition says they’re BJCP then they are following their rules. Some competitions are more subjective, such as the OBK winter brewed one.

Most of the BJCP competitions in the Canadian circuit have online registry and payment by cheque or paypal. You typically fill out your entry forms online and print labels to attach to your bottles you send in. Most often they’re open to all or most BJCP styles and all beers of one style (multiple sub styles) are judged and scored against each other for medals. In most competitions bottles need to be unlabeled, have no distinguishing markings (such as logos or raised lettering), and a plain cap. They need to be packaged carefully so they won’t break. Hot or cold weather also needs to be considered, you don’t want your entries freezing.

Most competitions will tell you when the entries will be judged, and when the results will be announced. Often it’s judging over a few days, gala the last day at some sponsoring location such as a brew pub. Other times the judging is at someone’s home.

Sometimes the reporting of winners is very prompt, sometimes they leave everyone hanging. It’s awesome to follow the competition organizers’ Twitter / Facebook posts as the competition moves along, some are great at that. Sometimes they mail your scoresheets out the following day, with a tracking number; sometimes you wait months. Sometimes the results are disappointing and sometimes positively surprising. It takes a lot of effort to brew and compete and the competition can be pretty stiff.

Some of the bigger, well run competitions give prizes to anyone who places. Some prizes can be big (like a fermenter), or small (like bottle openers). Last year I’ve won hops, yeast, bottle openers, carbonator cap, paintball CO2 adapter, etc. The bigger comps award actual medals, some do not.

I hope this helps. Just a perspective from a competitor's point of view. I’ve gotten some good feedback as well and will be tweaking some recipes to reflect.

Cheers and good luck competing. I really think we have a lot of great brewers and as a club could go a long way in the competition circuit.

[GuingesRock]

That's really useful.

Someone told me once it's the score sheets that are the most useful thing about entering a competition, and actual placing is less important. I've entered two competitions and I've found that to be the case. The comments have helped a lot with the brewing. Another good thing is it encourages you to continually strive towards brewing the best beer that you can. You no longer say I’ll just throw another batch of beer X on, we’re getting low …that’s when brewing becomes a chore. Instead, you say how can I make that beer better/more interesting, I might want to bottle some and send it off.

I’m still concerned about what to label the beer samples as. I can’t say glassware because I’m sending PET bottles. I’ve heard of people saying yeast samples. It’s a dead giveaway that the address on the package will be something like, The Bushwakker Brewpub, Parallel 49 Brewing Co Tasting Room etc.

Any suggestions on that?

[AllanMar]

I’m still concerned about what to label the beer samples as. I can’t say glassware because I’m sending PET bottles. I’ve heard of people saying yeast samples. It’s a dead giveaway that the address on the package will be something like, The Bushwakker Brewpub, Parallel 49 Brewing Co Tasting Room etc.

Any suggestions on that?

Your over thinking it. Label it anything, it may be a good idea to pick something what would explain the size/weight (ie. glassware), doesn't really matter if its not glass as your using "creative labeling" in any case.

Depending on who your shipping with (within Canada), theres a good chance you may not have to label contents at all (just state it doesn't contain any dangerous items).

[LeafMan66_67]

That's really useful.


Any suggestions on that?

Fragile?

[RubberToe]

I've always done FedEx 3 day express saver shipping and I don't think you have to state what's in the package (national shipping). I've been asked at least once IIRC and I used "yeast samples". Not far fetched for sending something to a brew club or brewery.

[GuingesRock]

Thanks, Sounds like a plan.

[berley]

I've never had to label the contents of the box when shipping in Canada... I often just use Canada Post, regular ground delivery. I've never had a problem shipping a box of 6-8 beers to BC or AB this way, they're usually there within 5-6 business days, and it doesn't cost TOO much... about 20-25 bucks.

Shipping to the U.S., however... I have four words for you: "Yeast samples for analysis".

[GuingesRock]

I've never had to label the contents of the box when shipping in Canada... I often just use Canada Post, regular ground delivery. I've never had a problem shipping a box of 6-8 beers to BC or AB this way, they're usually there within 5-6 business days, and it doesn't cost TOO much... about 20-25 bucks.

Shipping to the U.S., however... I have four words for you: "Yeast samples for analysis".

[GuingesRock]

Shoe boxes are good and strong for mailing samples. Tape them up and write the address on …except now I owe the shoe shop guy in Wolfville some beer . He’s been buying from Jeff (HPHunter) and he’s off to get a growler of Fathom at the weekend from RB. He’d heard about it from somewhere. He was very happy to get rid of the boxes.

[akr71]

That's really useful.

Someone told me once it's the score sheets that are the most useful thing about entering a competition, and actual placing is less important. I've entered two competitions and I've found that to be the case. The comments have helped a lot with the brewing. Another good thing is it encourages you to continually strive towards brewing the best beer that you can. You no longer say I’ll just throw another batch of beer X on, we’re getting low …that’s when brewing becomes a chore. Instead, you say how can I make that beer better/more interesting, I might want to bottle some and send it off.

I’m still concerned about what to label the beer samples as. I can’t say glassware because I’m sending PET bottles. I’ve heard of people saying yeast samples. It’s a dead giveaway that the address on the package will be something like, The Bushwakker Brewpub, Parallel 49 Brewing Co Tasting Room etc.

Any suggestions on that?

I've labeled them glass collectables - who cares if it is glass or PET. If you can hear them clinking together you may want to rethink your packaging anyway...

I had a homebrewer buddy in the US send me a sample of his stuff marked "Personal belongings, underwear and socks" so that customs didn't pry too much.

[GuingesRock]

"Underwear" it is then. I'm worried those customs people might be a bit kinky though. They're always trying to grope you.

I'm getting the shoe shop guy hooked, then I'm exchanging beer for shoes The shoe boxes was just a ploy.

[GuingesRock]

I'm working on a light coloured Citra SMaSH, lots of hop flavour from FWH/Late/Whirlpool, pilsner malt, US-05, IBUs around 40 – 50.

What class would fit that please? I’d call it a blonde, but worried might be too hoppy, and I want it to be hoppy.

[RubberToe]

American Pale Ale, 10A.

http://www.bjcp.org/2008styles/style10.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Edit: Or American IPA if the gravity is higher.

[GuingesRock]

American Pale Ale, 10A.

http://www.bjcp.org/2008styles/style10.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Edit: Or American IPA if the gravity is higher.

Thanks Rob, Looks like a very good fit. I might get dinged for the colour 3.5 SRM (should be 5 – 14) and using German Pilsner malt?

[RubberToe]

I wouldn't worry about it. Appearance is only 3 points and the judges won't know your ingredients. Still wouldn't matter unless it doesn't taste good lol. Go for it.

Sent from the brew timer.

[GuingesRock]

Thanks for the help. I'm thinking of throwing in a bit of Munich 11 (2lbs in 10 gal) to bring up the colour a little and give slightly more malt flavour. Not tried mixing Pilsner and Munich before, don't know if that works.

[Two Wheeler]

I shipped a 22oz bomber to CartoonCod for the BN Homebrew Review and found the process quite easy. It's actually legal to mail beer within Canada if you select proof of age request and require signature. http://www.canadapost.ca/tools/pg/manua ... sp#1378246

However, I didn't bother as they didn't even ask me. My plan was to say Barbeque Sauce to avoid any headache.

Anyway, I bought some mailing boxes from Staples that were pretty sturdy and 6"x6"x12". I double ziplock-bagged the beer and wrapped the beer in bubble wrap a few times. Then I padded the box with crumpled newspaper. Seemed to be a pretty sturdy package.

I took it to PostNet which is a shipping place within our local Coveys Office supply stores. They ship via CP, UPS, FedEx. Turned out that it only cost $13 to send the package 3 day ground to Halifax.

[GuingesRock]

If you have a beer that you are not sure of the best class fit, is it frowned upon to enter it twice in one competition but in two different classes?

[dean2k]

Yikes. Would have cost me $35+ to send 3 day express to SK. Going to take chances with storm and regular shipping. Got the box and bubble wrap as small as my paranoia would allow. What's everyone's packaging tricks?