2009 Spooky Brew Review Homebrew Competition
| October 31, 2009 | ||
| 9:00 am | to | 5:00 pm |
Hard to believe, but our wacky annual Spooky Brew Review homebrew competition is celebrating its 18th consecutive year!
Our host this year will Emmett’s Ale House at 110 North Brockway Street in Palatine, IL (conveniently located virtually adjacent to Metra’s Union Pacific Northwest Line station). As usual, SBR will feature judging in all categories of the BJCP Style Guidelines. But the highlight is always the judging of the special Spooky (scariest) and Smashed Pumpkin (Worst of Show) categories, which definitely should not be missed. For the third year in a row, we’ll also include Witches’ Brew, an open category for beer, mead, and cider brewed only by women.
NOTE: All entries for the Spooky and Smashed Pumpkin categories must be drinkable. Anything deemed otherwise by the Competition Committee will be DISQUALIFIED, and that’s very hard to do.
So, please plan on entering, judging, stewarding, or just attending Spooky Brew Review 2009 — it definitely doesn’t get any crazier than this!
The competition package (including rules & regulations, entry forms, bottle labels, and a style chart) is now available for download here in PDF format.
Judges and Stewards – we need you! If you are interesting in serving as a judge or steward on October 31, please contact competition organizers Joe Preiser (joe @ chibeer.org, 630-759-4569) or Steve Hamburg (stevie @ chibeer.org, 773-878-0177). All general questions can also be directed to the organizers.
Justin on 03 Sep 2009 at 11:35 am #
Is there a fee to attend and watch the Spooky Brews event at Emmett’s in Palatine?
Joe on 09 Sep 2009 at 11:24 pm #
Justin,
There is no fee to attend the competition but bear in mind this isn’t really a spectator event.
The judges and stewards have their respective tasks and cannot not be disturbed. Also, food will only be provided to judges and stewards.
It you’re at all interested in learning how homebrew competitions work, I’d suggest volunteering as a steward. No prior experience is necessary, it’s not hard work, and you get a chance to listen in the judges’ comments.
If you really just want to see what’s going on, I’d suggest planning to arrive later in the afternoon – say around 3:00. That would give you a chance to see part of the “regular” judging as well as the entertainment portion (Spooky Brew & Smashed Pumpkin category judging) of the competition.
Michael Sears on 13 Sep 2009 at 9:46 am #
Is this competition for CBS members only?
I think some of our members of the Forest City Brewers of Rockford IL might be interested.
Thanks.
Stevie on 13 Sep 2009 at 10:10 am #
The SBR is open to homebrewers anywhere in the world, regardless of affiliation. Send us your entries!
Señor Brew™ on 24 Sep 2009 at 7:11 am #
Will we be able to drop off entries at the October First Thursday meeting at Goose Island as we have in the past?
Stevie on 24 Sep 2009 at 8:34 am #
Yes, someone will be at First Thursday to take your entries.
Joe on 24 Sep 2009 at 12:27 pm #
Hi,
Are there any restrictions on markings on bottles or bottle caps? Some competitions I’ve seen require that all entries contain no markings of any kind…. I’m asking because I have several brews I’d like to enter but I’ve marked the bottle caps with a sharpie so that I can tell the beers apart. Would these be disqualified?
Thanks
Joe on 24 Sep 2009 at 12:38 pm #
another question – are tasting notes from the judges returned to all entries, only winning entries, or no entries?
thanks,
Stevie on 24 Sep 2009 at 12:38 pm #
Standard practice is to black out the caps so they can’t be identified. That said, when we register the entries we’ll be putting a sticker on it with the category/subcategory number/letter and the entry number, so judges won’t be able to see read the caps anyway.
Stevie on 24 Sep 2009 at 1:21 pm #
All judging forms are sent to the entrant, whether you’ve won or not.
Dan on 05 Oct 2009 at 12:22 pm #
I’m interested in entering the competition. It doesn’t say anything about the contestants and where they need to be on Spooky Brew Review day. I’m assuming we drop off the beer at the designated locations between Oct. 9 – 24 and simply await the results, but wanted confirm with you. Also, not that I am really concerned, but are there any prizes? What type of recognition is available for those who serve a good…or not so good brew? Just curious. Thanks!
Stevie on 05 Oct 2009 at 12:34 pm #
Entrants do not have to be present at Emmett’s and can simply await the results. Some entrants will also be judging (not their own beers!) or stewarding and will also be present, but attendance is not required. Just make sure your beers is dropped off at Emmett’s or one of our drop-off sites before the entry deadline. Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 beers judged in each category. In addition, extra-special prizes will be awarded to the 2nd runner-up, runner-up, and best-in-show, selected by a special panel from among the winners of all the categories. For a “not so good brew” you don’t get a prize, only the judges’ scoresheets (all entrants get these back, win or lose).
Laura on 08 Oct 2009 at 9:52 am #
What does a steward do at the event? Do you have to be a member to volunteer? Do you get to sample the home brews?
Stevie on 08 Oct 2009 at 10:51 am #
Here’s the official description of stewarding duties, courtesy of the BJCP:
A steward serves to help the judges. Whenever possible, a steward should be assigned to each flight of judges. Most flights have between two and four judges; three is optimal. Stewards ensure that the judges have all of the judging materials they need including judging forms, pencils, cups, bottle openers, water, and bread or crackers. During the judging, they double check all of the competition forms to be sure they have been properly filled out and that the math has been done correctly.
Judging is an intensive process, and the stewards play a key role in making sure all goes smoothly. Serving as a steward is an excellent means of learning about beer evaluation and is usually the first step in becoming a beer judge.
—
You do not have to be a CBS member to volunteer. Stewards generally get to sample the beers after the judges have completed their evaluations. You are also welcome to any leftover beers that do not advance to later rounds.
Michael on 10 Oct 2009 at 2:44 pm #
Steve,
Do you have a contact name to ask for when dropping off entries at Emmett’s?
Thanks!
Michael
Stevie on 13 Oct 2009 at 10:45 am #
Just ask for the manager on duty. They should all be aware of the event and what’s to be done with the entries.
Ron on 17 Oct 2009 at 11:41 am #
For the judging of Spooky (scariest) entries, is the quality of the homebrew a judging consideration, or, is it only how scary the entry looks?
Thanks,
Ron
Stevie on 17 Oct 2009 at 11:51 am #
It’s definitely not “Smashed Pumpkin” (AKA, “Worst in Show”), so the goal is to look as scary as possible. By rule it still must be drinkable and most entries are hardly classics, but we don’t punish you if the beer actually tastes pretty good. It’s just a pretty difficult thing to do with this category. If you manage, kudos to you!
ROBERT DONAHUE on 17 Oct 2009 at 2:35 pm #
TO STEVE,
I want to volunteer to steward at the 2009 Spooky Brew Competition on October 31, 2009 at Emmitts. Thank you and looking forward to your response.
Robert Donahue
Surprise45@sbcglobal.net
Dave on 21 Oct 2009 at 10:57 am #
I’m a newbie brewer, wondering if entries have to be entirely original recipes. I brewed a beer from a recipe found online and wouldn’t mind entering it. Is that frowned upon? Also, does it matter if it’s extract or partial or all-grain?
Thanks…
Brian on 21 Oct 2009 at 10:59 am #
Hi Stevie, one of your comments above seems to suggest that there are other “drop-off sites” besides Emmett’s… is that true? Anywhere in Chicago, perhaps?
Stevie on 21 Oct 2009 at 11:26 am #
Dave, it doesn’t matter. Everyone typically starts with somebody else’s recipe – that’s why there are homebrewing books and magazines! It also doesn’t matter if it’s extract, partial-mash, or all-grain.
Stevie on 21 Oct 2009 at 11:29 am #
Brian, I live in the city. If you can get them to me by Saturday morning, I’d be happy to take them to Emmett’s myself. You can also bring them to the Map Room this evening during the CBS social night. I’ll also be there to take entries from ~6-9 pm.
Adam on 01 Nov 2009 at 5:01 pm #
Will results for the competition be posted online or emailed to the participants or will we have to wait for the results to be mailed?
Thanks,
Adam
Justin on 02 Nov 2009 at 7:41 am #
When/where will the results be posted?
Thanks!
J
Stevie on 02 Nov 2009 at 10:14 am #
Results will be posted today on the website. Entrants should receive their scoresheets in about a week. The Spooky organizers are also working on the Festival of Wood and Barrel Aged Beer coming up this Saturday, so please be patient and understanding – cheers.
David Bussell on 21 Nov 2009 at 9:14 am #
I was wondering when the score sheets were going to be sent out, thanks for your time.
Dave
Stevie on 21 Nov 2009 at 9:28 am #
Most of the score sheets have been mailed. The last of them will be mailed today.
Bill on 23 Nov 2009 at 3:04 pm #
Got my score sheets today in the mail. Great job! Looking forward to next year. Thanks a lot to everyone involved.