These beers made the final cut:
Dale's Mild: Brewed by myself and Paul, I actually entered this as a Scottish 70 shilling because the yeast is very clean. It just tasted and smelled a lot like a Scottish 70. We'll see if the judges agree.
Woody: The American oak-aged Barleywine. This was tasting killer 6 months ago, and I haven't had a chance to try it since then, since I had exactly 4 bottles left. I might get to try it if my buddy Fritz breaks out the bottle I gave him while we are in NYC this weekend. 6 months ago, there was a little too much of a harsh oaky finish on an otherwise stellar beer, so I am hoping that the time has been good for it and mellowed it out a bit.
Fresh-hopped Black Saison: The hops have faded substantially, so I called it a black farmhouse ale at 8.1% ABV. Personally I think it has only improved with age.
Other beers that almost made the cut were the Belgian Dark Strong, which is still a little too alcohol-hot and needs some time, and the Belgian Blond, which is pretty darn good, but has too much banana in the nose, and just isn't quite the easily drinkable Belgian ale that a blond should be.
Unfortuanately both the pilsner and the smoked helles that I had such high hopes for have a DMS issue, but the third lager, the Baltic Porter I did with Paul is tasting great and just went in to lagering in a corny.
Who else is entering beers? If you are on the fence, it's time to shit or get off the pot (nice mixed metaphor there)! All entries must be in by April 1st. Good luck!
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10 comments:
This'll be my first NHC. I entered an APA and a Saison. I sent my entries to Ohio last week. If the Fedex lady had asked I was prepared to tell her my package contained an entry for the National Helicopter Club (NHC) model competition.
Assuming I can properly operate my new beer gun (haven't tried yet), I'll be entering an American Barleywine and a Doppelbock.
I've got four going in. A Helles, Dortmunder, Rauchbier, and Oatmeal Stout. None of these beers did as well as I had hoped at Homebrew Alley, but what the hell do those NYC homebrew judges know anyway.
I'm putting in an Am Amber, Am Brown, Mild, Porter and Heffe. Its my first time entering at the NHC; but judging the 1st round last year was fun!
Brew Brothers are taking entries to Seattle, same as they did for slurp n' burp. for me it's going to be tough not to drink the remaining bottles in case I make second round.
I sent in 4 to NHC first round. Outside of club-onlys, I've only submitted one beer to a homebrew competition (past fall). I'm not expecting much but will enjoy the feedback. I sent in 1. Mayhuel Mild as a specialty beer 2. APA 3. Blueberry Wheat 4. California Common
Cheers!
I just got back from NYC where I learned that a few of my friends on the east coast were shut out from entering beers due to reaching the 750 entry limit in that area! Wow, that has never happened before.
Good luck guys (and gals?)...
That barleywine was awesome. I think it'll do quite well.
entered 2 sours and an american stout. the stout was pretty tasty but i dont think it was amazing by any means. could probably have used a bit more hoppage.
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