Ok, so this post is for some of our newer members who may not have yet entered a competition. There are three things you need to do to win metals 1) make good beer 2) enter, and by that I mean enter alot and 3) be a little smart about which categories you put entries in.
There are guys/girls in this club that can help you make better beer; if you have questions by all means ask. We have many members who just love to pontificate about how to make the perfect pint (and some of them actually know what they are talking about). If you want to win a metal, don't just tie your hopes on one entry (no matter how good you think it is). Sadly, the best beer doesn't always win for a plethora of reasons plus of course the concept of "best" is extremely subjective. To increase your chances of walking away with something I would admonish you to enter several beers in different styles. Also (and I have extensive experience with this) what you think is your best beer may not do shit but one of what you consider your lesser efforts may win a metal; I've done it several times (made beers that don't do shit that is). Finally, be a little smart about which style you enter. For instance, I'm pretty sure that Jesus Christ himself couldn't win in the American IPA category; there are just way too many entries (see the sorted list provided by Walter above).
Let's say for sake of argument that you are a new brewer and I have convinced you to enter but don't have a beer you deem worthy right now. Harken back to yesteryear when you started dating in high school. Would you start off by dating the hotest guy/gal in the school; hell no. You would pick the girl/guy with a reputation for being easy, right? Same thing with competition brewing. To summarize, you want a beer that is forgiving, is relatively lightly entered and is small enough that it will be ready in time for the contest. I see several styles that can be ready in time that are within the reach of a newer brewer. English IPA, ESB, English Pale Ale/Bitters, American Brown ale just a few of the styles where I see opportunity. What will you be doing this weekend (I for one will be brewing, an Imperial IPA)?
Oh and by the way, never brew something you don't personally like (only Jimmy Orkin can do that and win).
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