Congrats to all the winners and place getters. But also congrats to all the folks who submitted an entry at all.
It takes a bit of a leap of faith to enter your beer in a comp with so many great brewers out there. My first few times I entered comps, I wasn't quite ready for the ego crushing that my entries earned me... however casting that aside, I have taken the feedback onboard and made some process and equipment adjustments.
Absolutely thrilled with picking up a 1st for my first ever crack at a Doppelbock !! The 9 hour brewday on the June long weekend where the temp in my brothers garage didn't get above 6 deg all day was well worth it.
I certainly encourage anyone who has never entered a comp to whack in a few entries and get some feedback. Steel yourself for some constructive criticism, which you can then work into your process to make better brews.
I believe the next comp for wide ranging styles is BeerFest in Feb 2013. Get brewing, ready to submit an entry or 10 (a la Fourstar).
Duck