I don't enter contests because: 1. I always miss the entry dates 2. I still only brew extract kits and after judging @ the state fair and hearing the negative comments about people who brew extract kits, I really don't see myself having a chance of winning until I have time [and space] to do full mash. 3. I don't counterflow. Which isn't something I'm opposed to, just using the "not enough time" excuse. On Tue, 2003-08-26 at 10:36, allan.boyce(a)usbank.com wrote: -- ---------------------------------------------- Ryan Sinn Wizard Technologies Web and Networking Solutions ---------------------------------------------- office : 763.783.5721 e-mail : ryan(a)wizardtechnologies.net url : http://wizardtechnologies.net/ ---------------------------------------------- "Ipsa scientia potestas est." - Francis Bacon ----------------------------------------------

Why I haven't: - I don't brew enough. This means either brewing to style or just having anything available when the time rolls around, especially for the club only competitions. - Limited space/brewing area. Having to setup everything and tear down everything right away because of cramped conditions (I live in a town house) makes it a little more time consuming and way more annoying. - I'm lazy. I got into kegging because I hated bottling. Why I plan to: - While my most valuable feedback is of the subjective kind and comes from friends/family, it's nice to have an impartial judging of the beer where people don't have to be nice about it. Not that all judges know what they're doing (me included), but at least I can agree or disagree with what they write and try to improve. - I'm brewing more. The only way to get better is to brew more, the side effect is that I have way more beer on hand than I care to drink (blasphemy I know), but entering competitions not only is a way to hone brewing skills and also get rid of some beer (aka "giving beer to a good cause"). Also now that I have more experience, the beer I'm brewing is enjoyed by my friends/relatives so it is fun to give some away. - I'm getting more room. We're selling the townhouse now and hope to have more room for brewing soon. - I'm lazy. But now with a CP filler and a bit more patience, it is something I hope to conquer. =) Jeff H.