Competing with your Homebrew Tips and suggestions to help you succeed in homebrew competitions

Topics Prepare your bottles Enter the right category Packing your entries After the competition

Prepare Your Bottles Remove all remnants of old labels Use plain gold or silver caps If you didn’t follow the above rule, black out any markings on your caps Use 12 oz. brown long neck bottles –Avoid green bottles –Absolutely, No Clear Bottles Avoid bottles with raised lettering

Enter the Right Category Taste your beer and read the style guide If your beer is close on two styles, double enter it When entering specialty categories, read the competition rules carefully –List specialty ingredients in order of intensity

Packing Your Entries Ink-jet printed labels should be placed in a sandwich bag Attach labels using only rubber- bands Wrap each bottle in bubble-wrap –Small bubble bubble-wrap is preferred

Packing Your Entries (cont.) Pack your entries in a sturdy box, even for local competitions –ABSOLUTELY NO SIX-PACK CARRIERS Add a layer of bubble-wrap to the bottom of the box Line the box with a garbage bag in case one of your beers leaks Add your entries

Packing Your Entries (cont.) Use paper to fill the spaces between your bottles so they don’t shift –NO PEANUTS!!!!!!!!!!! Seal the bag and add more paper Shake the box –If you hear anything banging together, add more paper

Packing Your Entries (cont.) Add your paper work –If using multiple boxes, make a copy of your registration forms and proof of payment and put a set of the copies in each box Add another layer of bubble-wrap and seal the box

Packing Your Entries (cont.) Your beers can’t be judged if they don’t survive the trip

After the Competition Review your score sheets If you receive a low score don’t take it personally If the comments seem way off, then grab a bottle and sample it yourself, maybe there was a bottle infection Try entering the beer again –Beer handling and judging can vary greatly between competitions

After the Competition (cont.) Don’t start making a bunch of changes based on one score. Enter again and see if the comments are consistent. If you do start making adjustments, remember to make incremental changes.

After the Competition (cont.) The keys to brewing award winning beers are: –Brew often –Establish good procedures –Take good notes –Share your beer and seek honest feedback –Talk with more experienced brewers

Good Luck!