A very unique homebrew competition that takes place at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. Byggvir's Big Beer Cup is a style appropriate event, only open to historically appropriate styles.
Huzzah! Huzzah!
Not only did I enter some beers into this competition I also had the pleasure to judge this competition as it was put on by our Homebrew Club, Jack of all Brews. Was a very laid back relaxed competition as 1) it was outside in a big event tent, and 2) it was at the Minnesota Renaissance fair, which if you have never been to Renfest, you should make it once in your life.
Only at Byggvir's Big Beer Cup can you judge beer while people walk around dressed up in the most awesome costumes while the air is filled with the smell of smoked Big Ass Turkey Legs! Try judging beers when all you can smell is Smoked Turkey, mmm mmm mmm Challenging!
Not to mention access to craft beer donated by Harriet Brewery.
Thank you Harriet Brewery!!
Anyway I had the privilege of judging the the "Specialty" along with the "English Strong" category. Both great categories. The specialty was fun because pretty much any beer could be entered in this category as long as it was special and didn't conform to the other styles. The beers in this category ranged from an apricot Lambic aged on oak to a Chocolate Coffee Porter. A really hard category to judge due to the wide variety of beers that can make up this category. There ws some great one, some good ones, and some "Interesting" ones! As for the English Strong category, this style rocked and all the beers we judged in this category were actually really good making it hard to pick out the winners. The coolest thing about judging this category was that i actually judges (and tasted!!!) the eventual Best of Show winner:
| Brewer | Entry | Brew Style | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Place | Brett Glenna; Pete Wasko | Old, old ale | 19A - Old Ale | |
| 2nd Place | John Barlow | Uncle Herb Likes Beer Too | 15C - Weizenbock | |
| 3rd Place | William Schmiedlin | Smokin' Ruins Porter | 22B - Other Smoked Beer |
So how did My Beers do you ask? Well Thanks for asking.
Pretty Damn Good actually!! 4 of 5 placed.
No first places, three 3rd places and a 2nd place medal. Really proud of my Orange Blossom Mead getting 3rd place. This was my first attempt at making a mead and it turned out pretty damn good (despite fermenting in my bathroom for 6 months!!). Also my Belgian IPA v2 got 2nd place, this is one of my favorite beers I brew and I'm glad that it placed. As for the Porter, this was a beer my Brew Mentor and I brewed way back in 2009 that I had a few bottles of left chilling in my cellar. Pretty proud of that one as if it wasn't for Magnet, I wouldn't be brewing beer today, Thanks my Man!!!
So all and all a great experience and a great day. I highly recommend entering, attending and volunteering for next years Event, I know I will!
Slainte`
