- Joined
- Feb 24, 2015
- Messages
- 587
- Reaction score
- 1,020
- Points
- 93
I'm not trying to impress anybody but me To enter a competition I would have to go at least 60 or 70 miles .. more likely 100 to 125. And it's 2 trips to submit them and then go the judging. Just not interested. In addition, competitions here are more likely to have grade C judges than grade A judges. There are about 5 people locally - in the club - who can give me great feedback, and I use them as sounding boards. I am a better brewer for it.
For me it's like golf. When you first play you are probably not very good. The more you play and have trusted people give you tips, the better you get. With the help of trusted people I am a pretty decent brewer after 6 years. I am always hoping to get better .. and working at it. But I don't feel a need to have strangers judge my beer. Me and my trusted sounding board can do that.
The only frustrating thing is not being able to discover exactly "why" a certain off flavor appeared. It might be A, B, or C. Judges can't tell you either. They may say that you are oxidized, but only you can tell why (hopefully) and fix it.
For me it's like golf. When you first play you are probably not very good. The more you play and have trusted people give you tips, the better you get. With the help of trusted people I am a pretty decent brewer after 6 years. I am always hoping to get better .. and working at it. But I don't feel a need to have strangers judge my beer. Me and my trusted sounding board can do that.
The only frustrating thing is not being able to discover exactly "why" a certain off flavor appeared. It might be A, B, or C. Judges can't tell you either. They may say that you are oxidized, but only you can tell why (hopefully) and fix it.