Competition Corner – June 2014
So, you have witnessed the Kings win the Stanley Cup, 
World Cup soccer is now occupying your attention, and we have reached the summer solstice. What next? BREW NOW!! The 2014 Pacific Brewers Cup is almost here! But what about the hot weather? Not to worry, there are plenty of styles that do well in to heat. Hefeweizens, Belgian specialties and even some American ales can do well in the warm weather. And there are plenty of tricks to keep your beer cool. For more details, check out the hot weather brewing article in the Picobrewery archives.
But, while you are contemplating your next brew, take a moment to check out the Pacific Brewers Cup website! Tad Johnston and Kip Barnes have done an outstanding job getting it up and running. We’ve got all the information, rules and sponsorship info posted and will be putting up more content as the deadlines arise. You can sign up for judging or stewarding now and soon will be able to register your beers too. What, you don’t know what you are entering? Well for heaven’s sake, BREW NOW!! You have just enough time with some of those quicker beers. The entry deadline is August 22nd, with judging on September 6th at St. Bede’s Episcopal Church. We are looking for everyone to put their best foot forward and get those fermenters going.
Along the way, we have a few other competitions to mention. Congrats go to Michael Patterson, who picked up a first place ribbon in the California State Fair with his Flanders Red called “Vermeersch-ish”. Congrats also go the Carl Townsend, for pulling gout a second place for his “Earthquakes are Common” in the Final Round of the 2014 National Homebrew Competition. With these ribbons, Michael holds the lead for the 2014 Pacific Gravity Brewer of the Year Award with 7 points and Carl is in second place with 6 points. What, you’re not in the lead? What can you do? BREW NOW for the 2014 Pacific Brewers Cup!
Not to forget along the way, we also have the Los Angeles County Fair upon us. Entries are due by July Thursday, July 17th. Complete info is available at http://www.maltosefalcons.com/comps/2014LACF. And, in addition to entering, please sign up to volunteer for judging or stewarding. Judging will be August 2nd at St Martin in the Field Church, 7136 Winnetka Ave, Winnetka CA 9130. We are also likely to hold some preliminary rounds on the Westside, so check back here later.
While I’m at it, I would be remiss in not letting you know that the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) is embarking on a new revision to the beer style guidelines. A Preliminary draft can be found here, and a discussion group will be posted here. If you have ever though the styles were too restrictive, too dull, or otherwise not to your liking, now is your chance to speak up!
If you are hard-core competition junkie, there are a bazillion other contests to enter. The AHA has their master list at http://www.homebrewersassociation.org/competitions/aha-bjcp-sanctioned-competition/.
2014 Pacific Gravity Brewer of the Year Competition Schedule
July 17 Los Angeles County Fair Entry Deadline
August 2 Los Angeles County Judging
August 22 Entry Deadline for Pacific Brewers Cup
September 6 Judging Pacific Brewers Cup
October California State Homebrew Competition
