Club Keg Competition Rules and Style Information
Beer Comp Styles
NCHF 2026 “Oceania”
Note: The NCHF Beer Comp is not a BJCP sanctioned competition; it is more a “popular vote” event. The brewer has more latitude with style. Beers should be recognized in the style they are entered, possess the “hallmarks” of the style, and achieve appropriate balance as to malts, hops, alcohol, etc.
Style 1 New Zealand Pilsner
A pale, dry, golden-colored, cleanly-fermented beer showcasing the characteristic tropical, citrusy, fruity, grassy New Zealand-type hops. Medium body, soft mouthfeel, and smooth palate and finish, with a neutral to bready malt base provide the support for this very drinkable, refreshing, hop-forward beer.
Full description here:
Style 2 Australian Sparkling Ale
Full description here:
https://www.bjcp.org/style/2015/12/12B/australian-sparkling-ale
Preparing your beer for the Club Keg Competition
All beers are poured anonymously on our jockey boxes in the center tent (with the checkered roof, hard to miss!), with everyone in attendance voting for the winning beers in each style. The winning brewers and clubs get their names added to a trophy, on display for all to see each year at the beer competition tent. And of course, bragging rights!
A club can enter 1 beer in each category. So a maximum of 2 beers per club total, if entering both categories.
Clubs need to deliver their beers to the Competition Tent Saturday morning between 10-11 AM for check-in. If you have your keg in a fermentation-sized bucket on ice, that’s great. If not, we will put all the kegs in a cold box until hook up, then in bins with ice. We can accept 2.5gal – 5gal corny kegs–either ball lock or pin lock–no Sanke kegs!
The Club Comp has grown to be one of the most popular events at NCHF and this has necessitated a little more structure than what we have had in the past. Please note the following:
- The comp will be limited to 24 beers total between the two styles (this represents our jockeybox capacity)
- Competition slots will be allotted on a first-come, first served basis
- Competition registration will only be through registered Club Reps
- The Comp opens when the store opens.
- Clubs need to deliver their beers to the Competition Tent Saturday morning between 10-11 AM for check-in.
- Entrants are responsible for retrieving their kegs; this may done after conclusion of the final awards and raffle ceremony
- NCHO will provide CO2
Entrant must specify:
- Club name
- Style: #1 or #2
- Ball or Pin Keg (This is really important and speeds set up of the comp). No Sanke kegs!
Please go here and search for “keg”. Reserve this free product to register for the Keg Competition (One entry per club).
Club Mead Competition.
Two ‘styles’ of beer will be found in the ‘big tent’, but in addition, Clubs are invited to compete for the best mead. Each Club wishing to participate shall serve a mead at their booth clearly labeled (for fest-goers to see) “Competition mead”. Any mead fitting the 2015 Mead Guidelines is allowed. It is up the Club to describe the mead (but leave off any names of individuals).
Mead competition rules:
– Each club may pour ONE mead for the competition.
– There is no registration for this as every club may participate.
– The mead will be poured at the individual club booths.
– The mead must be clearly identified as the competition mead.
– Voting will be done the same as club beer/food/booth, by club reps only.
– BOD members will also be able to vote on the mead competition.
– The winning mead will go on the big trophy as best festival mead.
Good Luck!