Hop Season 2011 in the Books

Today was the official end of my first hop growing season. I'm not even sure I can say that I grew hops this year. I grew bines, but got zero cones. I have to admit I'm pretty disappointed, but oh well, we'll try again next year.

In preparation of 2012, I made some changes to my beds. After cutting down my bines today, I dug up the root bulb. I then build up the beds with 2 courses of Castlewall stone. To try to condition the soil better, I added a bunch of peat moss to help break up the clay as well as some quality potting soil.

With the hops raised up, this should drain water much better. After I got them in the ground, I put a nice layer of peat moss over top of them to give them a blanket for winter.

I was sad to cut the bines down. With each snip I hoped that I was doing everything right to give them the best chance for some form of harvest next year. I just have to remember, they are pretty hardy plants and are build to survive. I (as well as mother nature) may have not given them the best conditions this year to flower, but I'm sure as hell trying my hardest to get them ready for next year.

Learning from Critiques

Finally got a hold of my scores from the Dayton DRAFT Brewfest '11.

I received a 32 for my flight winning Amber Ale. The highest score a 34, the lowest a 30. Both judges seemed to really like the beer. One said he would have liked a little more hop aroma, the other a little more malt aroma. You can't please everyone...hehe.

My Cream Ale, which didn't place, got a 29.6, with a 32 for the highest score and a 28 for the lowest. They all seem to like the beer, but I got dinged for little to no carbonation. I'm actually OK with that. Since the flavor was liked, that tells me I brewed the beer well. I can always fix carbonation for future contests. I actually plan to reenter this one in CMI's Zinzinnati Oktobersbest and make sure have better carbonation. I have high hopes for it!

Overall, I'm very happy with the scores and critiques I got from my first competition. I'm hooked to compete more!!

Winner, Winner Amber Dinner!

Today is a very proud day for me in my efforts to become a better brewer. I found out today that I came in first place in the "Amber Ale" flight at the Dayton DRAFT's 2011 BrewFest! I'm so excited! I also entered a Cream Ale, but unfortunately that didn't place. But to have my first contest end with at least one beer in a first place finish is so rewarding!

The interesting thing about this win is that I won on the Amber Ale, previously posted, which I considered dumping early in its life. Again, it teaches me and it should teach you that as long as a beer is not infected that you should give it time to see how it turns out.

I'll get my score sheets this weekend. I'm excited to read the critiques on both beers.

I'm already planning to enter another competition next month with two different beers.