Event:

This is an AHA/BJCP sanctioned competition targeted at MS homebrewers. The primary goal of this competition is to encourage closer ties between all MS homebrewers. We are a small group and need to work together to advance craft beer and homebrewing in our state. Since a major goal of this competition is to foster closer ties among brewers, attendance is encouraged; however, entries may also be shipped. There will be a brewer’s party with BBQ by Squealgood while the judging takes place.

This competition will be limited to Category 10 (American Ale) & Category 13 (Stout). Judges may not serve on a category they have entered.

Entries:

Entry fee is $5 per entry.

Two, 12-14 oz, brown or green bottles free of labels or other identifying marks per entry is required. Fill out one bottle identification form (http://www.bjcp.org/docs/SCP_BottleID.pdf) per bottle and attach using a rubber band.

Registration:

Registration deadline is November 12th, 2011. Complete the form at the link below and submit it to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Beer may be shipped to 103 Wellington Pl, Brandon, MS 39042 or hand delivered the day of the competition. Please indicate delivery method on registration form. (https://www.hbamm.org/component/forme/?fid=4)

Awards:

1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place medals will be awarded for each category. An overall Best of Show trophy will also be awarded. Best of Show also receives a certificate for free entry into the AHA National Homebrew Competition. Score sheets will be returned for each entry.

The Hops & Habanas 1st Annual Homebrew Competition was a great success. The food and atmosphere were great. They really know how to host. Big thanks to Rick at Hops & Habanas for hosting this. Please stop by his shop for some great beer and tell them how much you appreciate them.

There were 23 beers entered in the competition from about 10 different brewers. HBAMM had 11 entries from 6 different brewers. I am extremely proud of our group for winning every single judged category.

Our winners were:

Scott Baughman with Muddy Water Milk Stout

Nathan Harms with Linda Gose To Mars - Misc

Luke Mullins with Choo Choo Weizen

Daniel Lack with 1st Place IPA

Brad Lovejoy with Squealgood Pale Ale

Contentment Brews out of Grenada brought 8 incredible beers. Randy Louden and his partner brew a lot of high gravity Belgian ales that are fantastic. They are brewing 30 gallon batches on a conical fermentor cranking out some damn good beer.

Luckytown Brewing from Gluckstadt had 3 beers including the People's Choice Award winning Lizard Tail IPA. This is an extremely flavorful IPA that is kind on the finish. No hop resin soaked tongue after drinking this session-able ale.

A guy we met named Larry had a couple of interesting beers. He had a really nice strawberry ale that had a tremendous amount of strawberry flavor. He also had an 18% barleywine fermented using turbo yeast.

We also met Randy Graves who brewed a fantastic Kaluha Stout. I'd like to brew that one but he is tight lipped about his recipe.

This was a great opportunity to connect with other local brewers. We made some new friends, reconnected with some guys we had previously met and started making plans for future events.

Momentum is building in the MS craft beer/homebrew scene and we are looking forward to some great things to come.