Homebrewing Competitions

OK people, let's cut to the chase

I have saved 6 bottles of every beer I have brewed since mid-March.

This equates to 35 six packs in my cellar.

These bottles take a significant amount of space in my cellar.

I like shiny things.

There are two local competitions in the next month- the ASH Oktoberfest competition, and the Salt River Competition.  The Salt River Comp is sponsored by Miller/Coors, and they not only give free entry, they also give competitors free tickets to the event!  ASH entries are $7 each. Because ASH does not have the budget of Miller/Coors.

NOW- it would be great if I could unload all my beers ;)  Alas, the rules prohibit entering more than one beer in a sub-category.  For example, I can only enter one American Pale Ale in each event.

I have a lot of American Pale Ales.

I almost think of myself as more brown beer focused, however this is not the case with the beers I have available.  Because it was spring!  Yes, I have a varied number of beers but I do brew Pale ales often, because I enjoy a hoppy low alcohol beer in 100 degree weather.

More importantly, what is the value of Homebrew Competitions?

If you listen to the community, the main value is to receive unbiased reviews and technical thoughts on your beers.  Ones unlike your friends will give you.  Because your friends like to drink beer.  And you give it to them. For free.  They like that!

IMHO, there is a long way to go to implementing this in the real world.

I have drank some beers which were absolutely FANTASTIC, with no apparent technical flaws, which scored poorly.  Not just average, but POORLY. This is troubling to me.

The National Competition is daunting.  Each center has 1000 entries.  The number of entries in each category can be overwhelming.  "Palate Fatigue" can be a significant concern.  This is when judges have sampled so many beers, your taste buds deaden. It happens.

Why do I complain... it' so stupid to do so.  There are a few people who put in MANY hours of work to make comps happen, and many more who spend days and days judging.  I have received some very valuable information regarding my homebrews.

What is the GREATEST benefit of Homebrew Comps? The more BJCP judges there are in the world, the more the beer community wins.

I suppose it's like this- whenever human beings and PARTICULARLY taste buds are involved, you are dealing with an imperfect system.

Now- I have 10 beers which need to be prepared.

Also- I give this post a 100% chance of being read by someone who will be judging my beers.