Thank you, KC Bier Meisters

We ventured across Missouri this past weekend, where I spent most of my time in the company of the Kansas City Bier Meisters, judging beer, talking about beer, drinking beer, talking excessively about beer, speaking at the awards banquet for their 29th Annual Homebrew Competition (making it older than all but a few American breweries), and talking obsessively about beer.

I didn’t take pictures (other than one of Twitter star Jeremy Danner, a.k.a. “Cookie Bottom”). I didn’t take notes. I did have a great time, and, of course, I learned more about beer. New Beer Rule #9 remains in force.

More practically, I discovered a few things I need to state more clearly when speaking, or writing, about hops. The manuscript it nearly done, but some parts will read different at the end of today than they did Friday. So readers of “For the Love of Hops” will also owe a thanks to the Kansas City Bier Meisters.

12 thoughts on “Thank you, KC Bier Meisters”

  1. I almost entered that competition, but they didn’t have a Cascadian Dark Ale category, the beer that was set to be ready by the weekend.

  2. Zac – Category 23. There were plenty of Cascadian Dark/Black IPA entries. One won Cat. 23, as a matter of fact, and tied for runnerup for Best of Show.

  3. Ah, the specialty beers category, of course! I have yet to enter a contest and didn’t really consider that one. I contemplated entering it in the IPA category, but knew that it would be a waste of time. Oh well. Next time.

  4. “I discovered a few things I need to state more clearly when speaking, or writing, about hops.”

    Okay — I see what you’re doing, but you can’t even give us a hint?

  5. Thanks for the mention, Stan. It was an honor to judge with you! All of us here at Boulevard have a tremendous amount of respect for you.

  6. If only Guinness had been there to certify the record setting references to “cookie bottom” and “dank”.

    I think that is one of the best times I have had at a comp, despite the fact that I had to do stuff other than judge. We owe most of the awesomeness to you Stan, Cookie Bottom and Alex Pope.

    Now our biggest problem as a club is figuring out how to top that for the 30th.

  7. Steve – Nothing stunning and new (like announcing Tibetan monks invented hops). Mostly a matter of introducing the technical/science detail in the right order.

  8. The Black IPA that won category 23 was my beer but it wasn’t the same one that got second in BOS as far as I can tell. An imperial IPA got 2nd in BOS.

    Thanks for the nice complements on my beer whomever was judging it. I don’t recall the names off hand of those who judged it, but I didn’t think it was Stan.

    On a related note, I entered the same beer from the same batch in a recent Colorado Springs competition. It was deemed “too hoppy” by one of the judges. Go figure.

  9. John – Hope this doesn’t get me in trouble, but when we judged BOS I thought we decided to make it a tie for 2nd. We were required to pick “best hoppy” because it was a special category (the theme) and we went with the imperial. But your beer was damn fine (your are right – I didn’t judge Cat. 23) and I can’t figure the “too hoppy” comment.

  10. Thanks for the kind words Stan, I appreciate it. I’m sure they won’t be mad at you as my impression of everyone I have dealt with in KC has been extremely positive. They have a great group there it seems.

    According to the main competition page, they gave the imperial the nod, as there is no mention of any BOS tie. Regardless of what happened, I’m happy with the outcome. I would have preferred a BOS silver but that’s the way it goes. I imagine the imperial was a fantastic beer and deserved the accolades it received.

    I still have a few contests left to enter with that batch so maybe it’ll advance a bit further the next time around.

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