Black Box Challenge

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henry
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Black Box Challenge

Post by henry » Thu Jan 14, 2016 11:44 am

Think you're the best home brewer in Nova Scotia? Do you think your beer is better than all the commercial craft brews on the market? Can you make it better than we can? Don't tell us, show us!

Are you ready for the Black Box Challenge? - Check it out!
http://www.boxingrock.ca/blog/homebrewchallenge" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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jacinthebox
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Re: Black Box Challenge

Post by jacinthebox » Thu Jan 14, 2016 12:05 pm

sounds fun....but $45 entry fee...damn....I'm out
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LiverDance
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Re: Black Box Challenge

Post by LiverDance » Thu Jan 14, 2016 12:08 pm

jacinthebox wrote:sounds fun....but $45 entry fee...damn....I'm out
Not that expensive when you consider they are supplying the ingredients.
"Twenty years ago — a time, by the way, that hops such as Simcoe and Citra were already being developed, but weren’t about to find immediate popularity — there wasn’t a brewer on earth who would have gone to the annual Hop Growers of American convention and said, “I’m going to have a beer that we make 4,000 barrels of, one time a year. It flies off the shelf at damn near $20 a six-pack, and you know what it smells like? It smells like your cat ate your weed and then pissed in the Christmas tree.” - Bell’s Brewery Director of Operations John Mallet on the scent of their popular Hopslam.

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jacinthebox
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Re: Black Box Challenge

Post by jacinthebox » Thu Jan 14, 2016 12:15 pm

LiverDance wrote:
jacinthebox wrote:sounds fun....but $45 entry fee...damn....I'm out
Not that expensive when you consider they are supplying the ingredients.

good point...I didn't even think about that...saw $45 and ran...I'm cheap AF
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chalmers
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Re: Black Box Challenge

Post by chalmers » Thu Jan 14, 2016 12:41 pm

I'm excited for it, it is a unique idea, and I can't wait to see all of the different beers created from the same starting ingredients.

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Tim Gregory
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Re: Black Box Challenge

Post by Tim Gregory » Thu Jan 14, 2016 12:49 pm

This is awesome. Just registered. :spilly:
Last edited by Tim Gregory on Thu Jan 14, 2016 1:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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CorneliusAlphonse
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Re: Black Box Challenge

Post by CorneliusAlphonse » Thu Jan 14, 2016 12:59 pm

That's quite cool. Tightish turnaround, I like it
planning: beer for my cousin's wedding
Fermenting: black ipa
Conditioning:
Kegged: barrel barleywine from 2014 - i think i still have this somewhere

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mumblecrunch
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Re: Black Box Challenge

Post by mumblecrunch » Thu Jan 14, 2016 1:00 pm

jacinthebox wrote:
LiverDance wrote:
jacinthebox wrote:sounds fun....but $45 entry fee...damn....I'm out
Not that expensive when you consider they are supplying the ingredients.

good point...I didn't even think about that...saw $45 and ran...I'm cheap AF
Also, half the entry fee is going to the Shelburne Food Bank, which is awesome too.

I'm going to have to give this some serious thought, although that's a bit of a tight timeline if you want to get a test batch in, and especially if you can't force carbonate.

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amartin
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Re: Black Box Challenge

Post by amartin » Thu Jan 14, 2016 1:00 pm

This looks pretty sweet. I think this could be great fun, I may have to pass though, it's a busy time of year at work, and I may be on vacation when I'd need to get my bottling done. I'm curious about the water though. I can't imagine that they provide the water, and while they say that you can't add outside ingredients, I wonder if you can add mineral or acid additions, or if you're just stuck with what you have.

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Keith
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Re: Black Box Challenge

Post by Keith » Thu Jan 14, 2016 1:21 pm

I wish I could get in on this. Just don't have the time to fully commit as Erin's leaving the country for a few months and work is insane.
Would be a blast and great to see the proceeds are going to a good cause. :rockin:
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amartin
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Re: Black Box Challenge

Post by amartin » Thu Jan 14, 2016 1:26 pm

I retract my previous pass, I'm in. This sounds too awesome to not be a part of.

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Re: Black Box Challenge

Post by mcgster » Thu Jan 14, 2016 1:35 pm

Cool idea, is it NS only?

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Re: Black Box Challenge

Post by LeafMan66_67 » Thu Jan 14, 2016 1:46 pm

The one interesting aspect of this is that if you need to give a presentation - does this mean that the judging will not be "blind"? Should be a fun event. I'm leaning toward entering.
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Re: Black Box Challenge

Post by LiverDance » Thu Jan 14, 2016 1:48 pm

LeafMan66_67 wrote:The one interesting aspect of this is that if you need to give a presentation - does this mean that the judging will not be "blind"? Should be a fun event. I'm leaning toward entering.
Do we have to have another talk :lol:
"Twenty years ago — a time, by the way, that hops such as Simcoe and Citra were already being developed, but weren’t about to find immediate popularity — there wasn’t a brewer on earth who would have gone to the annual Hop Growers of American convention and said, “I’m going to have a beer that we make 4,000 barrels of, one time a year. It flies off the shelf at damn near $20 a six-pack, and you know what it smells like? It smells like your cat ate your weed and then pissed in the Christmas tree.” - Bell’s Brewery Director of Operations John Mallet on the scent of their popular Hopslam.

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Re: Black Box Challenge

Post by LeafMan66_67 » Thu Jan 14, 2016 1:54 pm

LiverDance wrote:
LeafMan66_67 wrote:The one interesting aspect of this is that if you need to give a presentation - does this mean that the judging will not be "blind"? Should be a fun event. I'm leaning toward entering.
Do we have to have another talk :lol:
Ha! I'm already signed up! :spilly:
"He was a wise man who invented beer." - Plato

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Re: Black Box Challenge

Post by GAM » Thu Jan 14, 2016 1:58 pm

Anyone want to go in on it. Not because I'm cheap (but I am) but to force me to brew.

S

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Re: Black Box Challenge

Post by RubberToe » Thu Jan 14, 2016 2:24 pm

I'm signed up as well. It's going to be fun and unique experience. Love it.
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Re: Black Box Challenge

Post by Maritimer » Thu Jan 14, 2016 2:40 pm

I signed up, sounds like a really fun concept.
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Re: Black Box Challenge

Post by Bowserm » Thu Jan 14, 2016 3:26 pm

How many seats are available? I just signed myself up and it said only 13 seats remaining. I am guessing they don't want 100's of entries. As my first competition, I hope either I can get some good feedback, and they don't destroy me during judging.

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amartin
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Re: Black Box Challenge

Post by amartin » Thu Jan 14, 2016 3:45 pm

It's limited to 20.

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Re: Black Box Challenge

Post by the-mailman » Thu Jan 14, 2016 3:50 pm

I wish I was experienced enough to participate as it sounds like a fun event. Limited to only 20 participants so not too much competition.
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Re: Black Box Challenge

Post by Bowserm » Thu Jan 14, 2016 3:55 pm

the-mailman wrote:I wish I was experienced enough to participate as it sounds like a fun event. Limited to only 20 participants so not too much competition.
I am not very experienced, but I figure I should start somewhere. If anything, it says there is enough grain to make 2 5 gallon batches plus a 1 gallon batch. so thats worth the entry fee itself, plus you will get some feedback.

I am more concerned with the feedback from a regulated judge then anything really.

henry
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Re: Black Box Challenge

Post by henry » Thu Jan 14, 2016 5:47 pm

mcgster wrote:Cool idea, is it NS only?
We didn't specify that it is NS only, however you will need to make you presentation in person, and if you win you'll need to come down to Shelburne to make it.

Henry

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Re: Black Box Challenge

Post by Bowserm » Thu Jan 14, 2016 5:52 pm

Henry,

It says we can only use ingredients inside the box. Does that mean no clearing agent if its not included? (Which I assume it isn't) I know I shouldn't assume.

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Re: Black Box Challenge

Post by BBrianBoogie » Thu Jan 14, 2016 6:07 pm

Great concept. Just wish the turnaround time was a little better. For those of that don't keg, a 5-6 week window is needed. Leaves just enough if the beer is brewed the weekend of the 23rd, and certainly no time for any kind of test batch they're talking about. And that's weather dependent for a lot of us. Not so sure about being judged on my "story/presentation" anyway. That's all well and good for extroverts, but not sure what it has the do with winning a homebrew competition. Anyway, best of luck to everyone and I'm looking forward to tasting the winner's beer :mebeer:

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