Club Keg Competition

Club Keg Competition

Beer Comp Styles

NCHF 2024 – 25th ANNIVERSARY  “Mardi Gras”

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.

Alsatian Pils

This is another in the emerging substyles of Pilsner type beers, eg., Italian Pils, West Coast Pils, Dry Hopped Pils, etc.  There is no official BJCP style.  This beer might be said to be driven by it’s “terroir”.  Thus, ingredients used for this beer should reflect its French origins.  To this end, the brewer should source out the appropriate pilsner malt (eg, Franco-Belge), and hops (eg, Aramis, Strisselspalt, etc).  The beer is delicate on the palate, with slightly less bitterness than a German style Pils.  The malt is soft and rounded and a decoction mash may lead to greater expression, but is not necessary. However, the grist should contain 20% or so of corn.  The balance is to the hops.  Any clean lager yeast should yield satisfactory results.  Both Aramis (supposedly a cross between Strisselspalt and Whitbred Golding) will yield sweet, spicy, citrusy and herbal notes, while Strisselspalt provides a pleasant continental style aroma yielding subtle spicy notes and herbal and floral aromas.  As both of these hops are typically low alpha, a bittering hop such a Magnum would be a good consideration.

Approximate brewing targets:  OG: 1.046; FG: 1.010; 4.7 ABV; SRM: 2.9; IBUs: 38.

A clean, quenchable, refreshing beer is the target.

See also:  https://www.morebeer.com/articles/Alsatian_Pilsner

International Dark Lager (2C)

Perhaps this style is best described by what it isn’t.  This beer has no acrid or burnt flavors.  It is not truly black. There is no coffee, chocolate or other flavors typically associated with the use of dark malts, although hints of molasses and/or cocoa may be present..  Brewer should consider products such as Weyerman huskless Carafa, or Weyerman Sinamar to achieve the desired color.  Shoot for a clean, slightly sweet, dark colored lager with low malt and hop character (less than a Helles).  Noble hops are typical but some traditional American varieties (eg. Comet, Cluster, etc.,) might also work.    Light to medium body; smooth, light creaminess; medium to high carbonation.

Approximate brewing targets:  OG: 1.046; FG: 1.010; 4.7 ABV; SRM: 16; IBUs: 12.

A clean, balanced dark lager is the target. 

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:

1. The comp will be limited to 24 beers total between the two styles (this represents our jockeybox capacity)
2. Competition slots will be allotted on a first-come, first served basis
3. Competition registration will only be through registered Club Reps
4. The Comp opens when the store opens.
5. Clubs need to deliver their beers to the Competition Tent Saturday morning between 10-11 AM for check-in.
6. Entrants are responsible for retrieving their kegs; this may done after conclusion of the final awards and raffle ceremony
7. NCHO will provide CO2

Entrant must specify:

1. Club name
2. Style: #1 or #2
3. 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).