Upcoming Competition 19-11-11 NZ Pale Ale

[JoKing]

Congrats to my brother from another mother - Hamish for taking the Monks Habbit honors - good shit bro: wish I could have been there for a taste: I love Monks.

 

Thanks again to Hallertau for hosting us bunch of wannabes - it's Oh so great to be able to enjoy the finest brewbar in Auckland whilst getting our beer geek on.

 

Paul Vester finds himself in the top 3, and has chosen Kiwi Pale Ale as the defining category for our next meet up. I put a bit of research in, and as it turns out the other WBC (World Beer Cup) has a category for this beer type thanks from the Brewers Association... Who needs BJCP aye? Seeing how there is actually a style to brew to - AND I can safely assume that this will attract a GREAT many entries, the judging will be fairly strict this time. So here goes:

 

OTHER ORIGIN

INTERNATIONAL STYLES

The Brewers Association recognizes that there is a proliferation of creativity by innovative brewers throughout the world. Specific hop characters define the signature qualities of many traditional styles of ales and lagers. Many brewers choose to maintain the overall beer character of a particular style, but use new hop types, resulting in “traditional” styles of beer, which have unique hop character. While many brewers strive to maintain the traditions of certain brewing styles, other brewers seek to reflect the uniqueness of their own beer culture and local produced ingredients. The Brewers Association maintains that” one uniquely brewed beer does not a style create.” Competition organizers who reflect on their own unique circumstances may choose to break out non-traditional varieties of ales or lagers into their own categories, or combine traditional and non-traditional examples as subcategories or larger categories.The styles we will choose to feature in this section of the guidelines reflect the establishment of what we feel has become a style of beer in various world beer markets, thus establishing and recognizing it as a “style” of beer brewed by many breweries perhaps in a particular area. For example, “International Pale Ale” might be designated “New Zealand Pale Ale” if this pale ale is brewed with and possesses the unique character of New Zealand hops, Likewise a “German Pale Ale” could be brewed or dry hopped with German varieties of hops. A French Pale Ale with unique French hops. The same may eventually be true of the “India Pale Ale styles.”

International-Style Pale Ale

International-style pale ales range from deep golden to copper in color. The style is characterized by wide range of hop characters unlike fruity, floral and citrus-like American-variety hop character and unlike earthy, herbal English-variety hop character. Moderate to high hop bitterness, flavor, and aroma is evident. International pale ales have medium body and low to medium maltiness. Low caramel character is allowable. Fruity-ester flavor and aroma should be moderate to strong. Diacetyl should be absent or present at very low levels. Chill haze is allowable at cold temperatures.

Original Gravity (ºPlato)

 



1.044-1.050 (11-12.5 ºPlato) ● Apparent Extract/Final Gravity (ºPlato) 1.008-1.014 (2-3.5 ºPlato) ● Alcohol by Weight (Volume) 3.5-4.3% (4.5-5.5%) ● Bitterness (IBU) 30-42 ● Color SRM (EBC) 6-14 (12-28 EBC) 

[JoKing]

We'll have to put that up for a vote: I vote no - because drinking from 3pm is Naughty.... we can try speed the judging up by writing less tasting notes... Perhaps one overall comment rather than notes for each judging category.

[Chad Keven]

whats the deal with this? do entrants bring a couple of "JAKE HEKE" 750ml bottles? does it matter if its bottle conditioned? is this a disadvantage? or is it taken into account by the judges?

is it home brewers only? i'm keen as having just put down a kiwi pa chur

[Reviled]

"does it matter if its bottle conditioned? is this a disadvantage?"

 

Unless you drop your beer off the night before - Yes, it is a disadvantage, because you will have a heap of sediment in the beer, and judges will not take this into account - they will judge it as it tastes, with or without sediment..

 

 

[Richard Jack]

You need a bottle for the judges (normally 750s but I'm not sure if that's a rule, sure I've seen some 500s). Some people (awesome people) bring along something to share around while waiting for the judging to happen as well, but it's not mandatory or anything.

[Greig McGill]

Yes it is! ;)

[Adam Sparks]

How does one enter this competition? I gather these are at Hallertau? (which Ive never been too). Would love to get involved

[Richard Jack]

Brew a beer and show up on the day with a tenner for entry

[vdog]

How picky are the judges likely to be around the OG/FG/IBU guide in the style notes? I have one brew already, and another going down tomorrow, but both are/will be over 1.050 and above 50 IBU. I can adjust tomorrow's brew if need be, but want to check whether it's worth bothering?

[Greig McGill]

As with all competitions, the judges don't know these figures, they can only go on sensory evaluation, so as long as it TASTES like it's in the range, you'll be sweet. :)

[Mark Jackman]

Looking forward to this.  I was invited along for the last one and I was impressed with the quality of the entries and the whole event in general.  Should be entering for the first time next month.  Me and the wife will be looking forward to it, see you all there.

[Barbara Joppa]

Any idea of how many entries we are expecting? I did reserve the room for the tastings. I'm looking forward - as always. But I had a dream that Alister sabotaged my entry by shaking up the yeast from the bottle. I will be watching you! 

[JoKing]

Gidday Barbera.

 

I'm estimating around 16 entries (if the Stout comp was anything to go by)...

 

The judging method will reflect the large number of entries. I have devised a cunning method whereby the four judges (Myself, Luke, Kelly and Steve (the 4H)) will draw a judging partner out of a hat. The entries get divided out amongst the two judging groups, and the top 2 beers from the 1st round will get re-assessed by all four of us in a four beer head to head. This method doesn't rule out a 2 way win though...

 

This should almost halve the judging time.