I’ve been pondering entering some of my brews into homebrew competitions, just to see how they’d do. I like drinking them, which is all that really matters, but I’ve often wondered how they’d stand up against offerings from other homebrewers. I’m about to unofficially find out!
The reason I say unofficially is…well, I’m getting ahead of myself.
The event I’m entering it into is called Hops and Bangers, and it’s a Rotary-sponsored event put on in Gustine, CA. It’s $35 for a ticket, but that ticket gets you all you can eat sausages and all you can drink beer. The sausages aren’t just ANY sausages, either. It’s sausages from Wolfsen’s Sausages in Gustine, which are just stellar eats! And there’s a great deal of random beers, most of which aren’t just the fizzy yellow stuff. It’s a fun event, and contained within is a homebrew competition.
I say the competition is unofficial, because I think anyone can be a judge. You don’t have to be skilled in judging beer styles to judge. What this will tell me is whether average people enjoy drinking my beer. I’ll be happy with a win, but I won’t be too crestfallen with a lose. :) A good attitude, I guess. At the very least, it means that I will get into the event for free. I was looking forward to this event before I entered myself…even more so now!
I’m entering my Scotch Ale. Gabe and I cracked it open last weekend, and it was REALLY good. I used a lot of peated malt for this batch, which seemed to me to be a very authentic malt to use. After all, the predominant heating fuel in Scotland was peat. They would have dried their malt over a peat fire. The result is a wonderful, malty, slightly smoky, and nicely alcoholic brew. I am more pleased with this beer than I’ve been with any beer I’ve ever created, and I’m interested to know what others think.
I’ll let you know the results!
My only question now is if I should ask my friends at the Redeemed forum to pray for my entry. :-D
