Another entry for Homebrew Alley IX

[FedoraDave]

Nice try. But right now, I've only got the two competition bottles, and a third that I'm holding back to drink the day of the comp. That's sort of my personal superstition.

But I'll be brewing it again, I know, and I'll make the effort to get a bottle or two out your way for an expert west-coast opinion.

[John Sand]

I'm in it too. Submitting my latest APA and an IPA, seeking solid feedback.

[FedoraDave]

Best of luck, John! If this is your first competition, you'll be pleased with the insight the judges' comments provide, even if you're less than pleased with your scores.

Keep in mind, too, that those two categories usually have a lot of entries in them (as opposed to Dark Lagers and Hybrids, which are my two categories). So the competition is going to be a lot stiffer. Two years ago, Amber's Amber Lager was third in a field of 13. The IPA category had something like 76 entries that year, so be aware of the sheer numbers involved.

I'll be looking forward to the results!

[John Sand]

Thanks Dave. I look forward to the feedback. This is my third competition, all of my prior scores have been good or very good. I do realize that I'm in the biggest categories, but it is what I drink and what I brew. I have yet to brew a beer with competition in mind. Instead I look for a local competition after brewing a successful batch. I'll be happy if I can score both brews as very good, extremely happy if I get an excellent. I think that to ribbon at this competition, with these styles, I would have to make amazing beer. Not yet, but I'm working on it!

[Inkleg]

Wishing both of you all the best.

[Kealia]

You know I'm just bustin' yer balls Dave. That sounds like a fun little superstition (drinking one on the day of the comp). Best of luck to you both.

[FedoraDave]

Thanks Dave. I look forward to the feedback. This is my third competition, all of my prior scores have been good or very good. I do realize that I'm in the biggest categories, but it is what I drink and what I brew. I have yet to brew a beer with competition in mind. Instead I look for a local competition after brewing a successful batch. I'll be happy if I can score both brews as very good, extremely happy if I get an excellent. I think that to ribbon at this competition, with these styles, I would have to make amazing beer. Not yet, but I'm working on it!

That's the way I look at it, too. I make a batch and then think, "Hey, this might be something I could enter in a competition!" Or if I'm looking ahead to the comp, I brew a recipe I've already done, but time it so it's ready for submission at the proper time.

But don't count yourself out as far as scoring, or even making a podium spot. If you're liking the IPAs you make, you should be making pretty good IPAs, and who knows?

Ron, I was sorta busting your balls, too, but I wouldn't mind sharing a South Ferry Steam Beer with you, and getting your feedback. Was it you who kept insisting (tongue-in-cheek, of course) that I couldn't make a steam beer, because Anchor had a trademark on the name, and I responded that I couldn't market a steam beer, but I could call it anything I wanted? Man, that was back in the MB forum days....

[John Sand]

Dave, do you plan to attend the event? Or just wait for your scores? I didn't plan to attend, but if you go, I might too.

[FedoraDave]

No, I won't be going. I always think it would be a good idea if I did, but it's quite a trek from Rockland County, especially in the winter, and I wouldn't really know anyone there, so I'd kind of feel out of place, or else act like that guy who wants to make "new friends." And that's kind of creepy.

[John Sand]

Don't let that bother you Dave. I've only been to two, but everyone was kind of creepy!

[Kealia]

Ron, I was sorta busting your balls, too, but I wouldn't mind sharing a South Ferry Steam Beer with you, and getting your feedback. Was it you who kept insisting (tongue-in-cheek, of course) that I couldn't make a steam beer, because Anchor had a trademark on the name, and I responded that I couldn't market a steam beer, but I could call it anything I wanted? Man, that was back in the MB forum days....

Yep, that was me threatening the lawsuit [emoji41]

It really does seem like a long time ago on that forum....wow.

[FedoraDave]

Well, Saturday is the day I make a trek into NYC to drop off my entries. Always a big exciting, although I'm just going to make a quick round trip this time, because my daughter is going apartment-hunting, and besides, she has a cold. So I won't be meeting up with them for a meal. Just gonna drop the beer off, turn around and go home.

Well, maybe I'll pick up a six pack of some craft beers....

[Inkleg]

We're rooting for ya Dave.

[FedoraDave]

Well, I made the drop-off today. I've had better driving days, but I've had worse, also. Steady snow flurries rapidly changed to sleet and accumulations, so driving out of the city was more fun than a barrel of slugs.

But I was gratified that the bartender called a guy out from the back when I presented my entries. He looked them over to make sure they were rubber-banded and labelled (they were, and I even put them in a plain white six-pack carrier with "Homebrew Alley IX" written in Sharpie). Last year, when I brought them in, the bartender sort of went, "Um...okaaay....." and I wondered if they'd even make it to the comp.

And I had a couple of pints of a really nice Rye IPA from a brewery on Long Island. Spicy rye flavor and good use of Centennial hops. I gotta make me a good Rye IPA!

Judging in one month. Stay tuned.

[Bassman]

I just filled out my registration to steward for Homebrew Alley. I won't have an entry ready that I am happy enough with to enter. But it will be fun to steward.