The Upper Mississippi Mash-Out, the Spring homebrew contest co-sponsored by the Minnesota Home Brewer's Association and the St.Paul Homebrew Club, has been chosen as a qualifying competition for THE HIGH PLAINS BREWER OF THE YEAR AWARD! The High Plains Brewer of the Year is an award given to an individual brewer from Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota or Minnesota who demonstrates outstanding and consistent brewing skills. The award recipient is chosen based on performance in several regional competitions. Qualifying events are hosted by Kansas City Bier Meisters, Iowa Brewers Union, Minnesota Home Brewers Association and St.Paul Homebrew Club, Prairie Homebrewing Companions, OmaHops, and Fellowship of Oklahoma Ale Makers. To be eligible a brewer must reside or belong to a club located in one of the aforementioned states. Points will be awarded on a 5 for 1st, 3 for 2nd and 1 for 3rd place finish in a qualifying competition. A brewer can only receive points for the highest scoring beer per category (ie, you can't win for first AND second....) The winner of the 2003 High Plains Brewer Award will be presented with an engraved plaque or other suitable prize. HIGH PLAINS BREWER OF THE YEAR 2003 HIGH PLAINS BREWER OF THE YEAR WEBSITE http://kcbiermeisters.org/highplainsII.htm SANCTIONED COMPETITIONS 1. KCBM (Kansas City Brew Meisters) Feb 21-22 http://kcbiermeisters.org 2. "IBU Open" - Iowa Brewer's Union March/April http://www.iowabrewersunion.org 3. "Upper Mississippi Mash-Out" - MhBA, SHC May 2-3 http://www.mnbrewers.com/mashout 4. FOAM (Fellowship of Oklahoma Ale Makers) Early August http://www.alemakers.com/foam%20cup.htm 5. River City Roundup - OmaHops Sept 13 http://www.douglascountyfair.com/ochandbook/beerwine.htm 6. "Hoppy Halloween" - Prairie Homebrewers Companion Late October http://www.linkup.net/users/dtrautmann/phc.html Mark your brewing calendars and let's take this trophy HOME! - Al