Judging is now complete. We’re in the process now of getting the score sheets PDF’ed and migrating the score data into the system. We should everything out by Sunday evening. We’ll post updates and send out emails when everything is posted.
- We will be using a short form score sheet this year. It is designed to provide the same type of feedback as the standard BJCP scoresheet but it does it in a more condensed format. It will also be captured on an electronic device so no messy handwriting issues. One of the motivating factors behind this change is an attempt to reduce the chance of virus transmission as a result of paper exchange. Please familiarize yourself with this change before submitting entries.
- The competition is scheduled to take place on February 19th & 20th, 2021 however we will not be guaranteeing that all entries will be judged that weekend. At this point we just don’t know how many judges we will be able to recruit, nor do we know if any of our dependent vendors or facilities will be subject to a shut down. We will make every effort to conduct the judging as safely and efficiently as possible. No results will be made public until all judging has been completed, but we will be providing updates on the site as to the progress we’re making.
- We are currently operating under the assumption that the competition will be open to all categories of beer, mead, and cider, however entries will be capped initially at 400. We will consider increasing the cap to 450 depending on additional judge commitments.
- This year we will be using a new scoresheet that communicates the same information found on the standard BJCP scoresheet, but is easier for judges to complete and requires less interaction with stewards and office staff. We will post a draft of the sheet format prior to registration opening.
- We will be requesting 3 bottles per an entry in 2021. Should only 2 bottles be supplied or survive shipping then that entry will not be judged at best of show should the entry make it to that level.
- The shipping window will probably be 2 weeks this year vs. our usual 4 weeks so have your entries ready to go and don’t procrastinate getting them shipped.
- The drop off and ship to locations for the competition have been confirmed. Please be sure to verify the deadline date and time for the drop off location you plan to use. There is a specific time and date listed for each site and most deadlines are at least a week before the February 6th registration and shipping deadline. Unfortunately this year we are unable to arrange transportation from our regular MN locations.
- We have confirmed that we will still be a part of the American Mead Makers Association’s National Mead Maker of the Year award circuit as well as the Master Championship of Amataure Brewing circuit. Plans are still forming for those two circuits, but we know that we will be a part of them. At this time we are not sure where the Midwest Homebrewer of the Year Circuit is at with their plans.
- Given the lower entry cap as well as the workplace challenges that Covid-19 presents we will not be pursuing the Brewmaster’s, Meadmaker’s, or Cider Maker’s Choice awards in 2021.
That’s it for now. We’ll post additional updates as things develop.
Prosit, Sláinte, Salute, Na Zdravi, Cheers! – Bruce Buerger
Coordinator – Midwinter Homebrew Competition