Brewing Like Americans: Cascadian and Amber Ales (PIC HEAVY)

[pantsmachine]

Feck em, what do beer judges know? If you and your mates like it, end of story!

[bosium]

Ah Steve, I think there may be a slow update on the website as some of my beers register as 0 as well..

[coatesg]

It's some glitch in the system according to Ali. You very, very rarely get 0's awarded!!

[leedsbrew]

I thought it was cracking matey! surley not a 0

[Laripu]

For some reason, I haven't seen this thread until just now. I loved the pictures, but just FYI, I don't own overalls. (But I have actually seen people who look like that on purpose and without irony. They don't smoke cigars though. You're mixing a metaphor there. )

[pantsmachine]

I worked in Kazakhstan in 92-93 and many of my larger friends looked a lot like that(in particular bearded bloke)
and without irony there was a guy called Bubba! Great guys, just hammered on a different anvil.

[lancsSteve]

Glad a few of our American Cousins have spotted this thread now

It's some glitch in the system according to Ali. You very, very rarely get 0's awarded!!

Ah OK - was a little suprised. know one got a zero where both bottles were infected and knoew that one wasn't but wondered if it had been thrown out of class... Software glitch more reassuring!

I heard Swazi and t'other bloke slating it: correctly I must add for higher alcohols, unbalanced etc. I've yet to see feedback but I think it was in wrong class...

One thing I've def learned is that the broad style takes all the points - a little too dark for style will cost you one or 2 marks but shifting categories to one with the "right stats" is reduction ad absurdum - if it's an IPA that's come out dark put it in IPA don't go "but the stats match Amber Ale so I'll put it there"...

[TheMumbler]

surely unbalanced is to style for brewing like americans

Seriously though, it could be more valuable getting feedback on a flawed beer than a good one. It doesn't help with your enthusiasm but you did well in other categories )congrats btw) so have plenty to feel good about. Also although I've only had a quick taste of the amber one I don't remember it being anything like undrinkable, so hardly the end of the world

[simple one]

Send me a few and I'll judge....

[coatesg]

surely unbalanced is to style for brewing like americans

Not necessarily - some are nicely balanced (crystal sweetness vs hop flavour/bitterness for example). Imp.IPAs not included in this...

know one got a zero where both bottles were infected and knoew that one wasn't but wondered if it had been thrown out of class...

That's sort of fair enough - it has to be pretty much undrinkable to get no points. From BJCP website: "A problem rating (13 or lower) is typically assigned to beers that contain flaws that are so serious that the beer is rendered undrinkable." Even then, the marking should be bottom up and assign any good points where possible. If it gushes and then comes out like ropey gloop, a zero might be spot on! "Out of style" - you'd lose some marks perhaps, but US Amber/Pale distinctions aren't going to be *that* bad - the styles overlap a little anyway.

I'd wait for the feedback sheet, and you might be able to chat to the judge to see if he has suggestions (if they aren't already on the sheet).

[lancsSteve]

Corrected score now in: 22. Not too bad, well "good" in BJCP parlance in fact: http://www.bjcp.org/docs/SCP_BeerScoreSheet.pdf

[bazza]

Damn. Just found this thread. We don't ALL look like that!!! Spotted a flaw though. Those two fellers in them thar pictures on page one was from Alabamer and homebrewing is illegal there still! Cops will be all over that!

Well done

[leedsbrew]

Well I've just had a bottle of the cascadian kindly donated by Themumbler and even after all this time it is still a great beer. I was expecting the hops to be muted but if they were, I'd have loved to have tried it back in may! I'll be brewing one of these up tomorrow and hope it comes out as good as this! Well done lads

[pantsmachine]

Damn. Just found this thread. We don't ALL look like that!!! Spotted a flaw though. Those two fellers in them thar pictures on page one was from Alabamer and homebrewing is illegal there still! Cops will be all over that!

Well done

Wow, illegal to brew, how poor is that? I was speaking to a guy yesterday who tells me that there are also dry counties where you can't drive over to the next county, pick up booze and then drive back as THAT'S illegal. WTF is that all about?