I didn't score any prizes, but am fairly satisfied with my scores and the feedback I got.
All brews were fermented in trusty old Mr. Beer LBK's, and were extract/hop-boil batches. I usually do steeps, but it just so happened that only one of these beers featured one. All were partial-volume boils (1-gallon top-up into the LBK) done on an electric stove.
Double IPA - Score: 31 (30 and 32) - 48 entries in category -
Northern Brewer Super Structure LME and some Light DME plus honey, lots of Simcoe, Centennial and Nugget, US-05 yeast - 1.080/1.0125
Both judges picked out piney aroma, which I was going for with the Simcoe. They mentioned "no process flaws" but said the hop presence needed to be increased. I attribute this, rightly or wrongly, to the cotton hop sacks I used (see this thread). Maybe it would have scored better as a regular IPA.
German Pils - Score: 31 (29 and 33) - 11 entries in category -
Pilsen LME and DME, also some Beer Machine extra pale hopped DME from the famous Cabela's clearance sale, noble hops, a touch of honey and sugar for a dry finish, dry Saflager 34/70 lager yeast - 1.060/1.009
No diacetyl or off-aromas, one judge noted a SPICY hop aroma, other said flowery hops, NO spice (isn't that typical!). "Excellent clarity," "brilliantly clear." Both suspected caramel or Munich malt in addition to the Pils, saying it was a little too sweet for style. I didn't use any crystal or Munich - maybe the Beer Machine DME brought that sweetness to the table? Don't know. “A very nicely made version of the style. More hop aroma/bitterness would help.” <-- again disappointing, because I was going for a strongly-hopped version of the style! I can't recall if I used the cotton hop sacks on this brew, but my assumption is that the hop character suffered from aging. This beer was brewed in March, bottled in April and lagered until summer, and the judging was in October. So I won't sweat that issue.
Raspberry Saison (entered as a Belgian) - Score: 31.5 (29 and 34) - 42 entries in category -
Pilsen and Wheat LME, Carpils and Caramunich steeped, a small amount of Beer Machine hopped DME, Saaz and EKG hops, WLP565 Saison I yeast - 1.069/1.011
Read the saga of this beer here in this thread. I used 2/3rds of an ounce of raspberry extract for an LBK-sized batch, and apparently it was too much. The two judges' comments for Aroma: “Very raspberry, VERY raspberry.” “Raspberry prominent.”
Alcohol kick noted by both judges (yeah, this one was up there; 7.6% ABV). Overall comments: “Perhaps this should have been entered in the fruit category, it would have scored better.” (Spoiler alert: I did! And it did!) “In a category by itself – my first. I like it but would like it more if the raspberry was toned down a little to improve the balance.”Raspberry Saison (entered as a Fruit Beer) - Score: 34.5 (34 and 35) - 20 entries in category -
Same beer as above.
One judge noted an "expansive head upon pour” (see this thread for the pertinence of that comment). One judge: “Spicy farmhouse esters" -- the other judge: ”some interesting yeast complexity-hard to define”. Presumably both noting the character of the Saison yeast. References made to an appropriate peppery phenolic spiciness, and a slightly acidic finish. Again, alcohol/hot noticed (same as the Belgian judges -- obviously I'd tone this one down a bit if doing again). Overall comments: “Overall this is a good idea but the raspberry is a little overpowering. Saison base beer was good though.” “Quite nicely done. Consider handling fruit differently for more of a ‘fresh fruit’ flavor.” (Well, it was flavor extract, so that's a valid point.)
Bourbon Oak IPA (entered as a wood-aged beer) - Score: 34.5 (33 and 36) - 17 entries in category -
Northern Brewer Super Structure LME, amber DME, the last few ounces of my Beer Machine hopped DME, Simcoe/Saaz/Willamette hops, English Ale S-04 dry yeast, 4 oz bourbon and 1 oz oak cubes - 1.058/1.012
This was a "kitchen sink" beer, using up some ingredients on-hand, and I wanted to try oak cubes and bourbon. I'm not a big fan of stouts/porters, and love IPA's, so I took an English IPA approach with it. This beer is mentioned in this thread. Again, my hop character was a big miss on this brew, as in my opinion it had no IPA character to it.
One of the judges did check the "Flawless" technical merit box, which made me feel good about my process. They noted the bourbon and oak prominent in the aroma, but no hops. The bitterness in the taste was said to be OK, though. However, the malt flavor was overwhelmed by the bourbon and oak. Described as almost astringent. Overall comments: “A lot of complexity w/ this beer. The hops seem to be a mix of varieties and blend together nicely. Would like a little more malt backing up the rest of this complex ale.” “A very tasty beer. I like the balance betw the oak/bourbon and hops. The beer has very few technical flaws, which highlites the oak/bourbon flavor. Nicely done!”Ginger Ale (entered in Spice/Herb/Vegetable category with Blonde Ale as the base) - Score: 37.5 (36 and 39) - 24 entries in category -
This beer is basically...wait for it...the old Mr. Beer "Horse's Ass Ale" recipe! Best-scoring beer of the bunch.
Mr. Beer Craft Series Northwest Pale Ale, honey, and a bag of the oft-maligned Booster. Fresh ground ginger root (0.5 oz). MB Downunda yeast. Saaz 3-day dry-hop. - 1.061/1.010
Aroma: subdued malt and ginger, no hop aroma (so much for that steep!). Malt flavor sweet, maybe slightly too sweet for a blonde style. Ginger tasted up front w/ dry, bitter finish -- one judge said a “sugary flavor comes through”. Overall comments: “Good blend of base ingredients, ginger and sugar.” “Good clean base beer, maybe a little sweet. Ginger is well-balanced. I’d suggest making the base a little crisper, but good job!” (I'll be sure to pass that suggestion along to Coopers/MB
)There you have it. Hopefully you found something of interest in that novel. And if you haven't entered a competition, I would highly recommend doing so! You'll get some objective, trained feedback on your beers, and that is invaluable for helping improve your beers.
