Me? I am not sure. I took a break from brewing and have gotten back into it full throttle. I have a decent Oatmeal Stout (maybe could use some more roasty) and Porter (a bit young to fully evaluate, but seems pretty solid) on tap. I have a Pale Ale about ready to kegged (fairly common, Cascade for flavor and aroma, but just a slightly tweaked recipe of a fav of mine). Given that the shipping window is March 1 – March 14 and the 1st round judging is March 22 – April 14, I have time to brew something else.
I am slightly tempted to enter, but I am not sure why. I entered many many years ago, but at that time I only knew one other person that brewed a few beers...and I brewed crappy beers back then. I am a member of a club now and many of the members are certified judges and many of them brew really good beers. I don't see myself winning a National Gold Medal or Gordon Strong declaring my beer the "best in the history of brewing".
I will admit that sometimes it is hard to get honest feedback from friends, though sometimes competition feedback seems to be more about how the beer fits the style than if it is "good". I am not sure if bottling some beers, paying $16 entry fee for each beer, and messing with shipping is worth it.
Have you gotten good feedback from NHC to improve your brewing? From local competitions?
I am slightly tempted to enter, but I am not sure why. I entered many many years ago, but at that time I only knew one other person that brewed a few beers...and I brewed crappy beers back then. I am a member of a club now and many of the members are certified judges and many of them brew really good beers. I don't see myself winning a National Gold Medal or Gordon Strong declaring my beer the "best in the history of brewing".
I will admit that sometimes it is hard to get honest feedback from friends, though sometimes competition feedback seems to be more about how the beer fits the style than if it is "good". I am not sure if bottling some beers, paying $16 entry fee for each beer, and messing with shipping is worth it.
Have you gotten good feedback from NHC to improve your brewing? From local competitions?