2023 GEBL Fresh Hop Competition

Date

• 10/14/2023

Registration

• Registration due by 10/13/2023 at noon

Deadline

• Entries to be delivered to Sound to Summit Brewing on or before October 14, 2023 at 9:30am.
• • Sound to Summit Brewing, 1830 Bickford Ave #111, Snohomish, WA 98290

Rules

• Beer must contain at least 50% fresh hops
  • The term “Fresh Hops” refers to freshly harvested hops (per the BA Guidelines:
    • Such hops might be undried fresh or frozen cones or ground material, or, freshly kilned dried cones or pellets)
  • Other hops may be used in the beer but the primary flavor and/or aroma character of the hops MUST be from the current year’s hop harvest. 
• Beer must be homebrewed (not commercial)
• Beer can be any style

Entries and Pricing

• $10 entry fee per club
• Each club may enter 1 submission
  • Clubs will evaluate their member’s beers and select one that best represents their club
  • Clubs will provide at least three (3) 12-ounce bottles or cans OR two (2) 22-ounce bottles or cans
  • Bottles or cans will be labeled with the following information:
    • Club name
    • Brewer’s name
    • Name of beer
    • Fresh hops used
    • ABV
    • IBU

Use of Fresh Hops

• Beer must contain at least 50% fresh hops
  • The term “Fresh Hops” refers to freshly harvested hops (per the BA Guidelines: Such hops might be undried fresh or frozen cones or ground material, or, freshly kilned dried cones or pellets)
  • Other hops may be used in the beer but the primary flavor and/or aroma character of the hops MUST be from the current year’s hop harvest. 
• Beer must be homebrewed (not commercial)
• Beer can be any style

Judging

• Competition will be judged using the 2021 Brewers Association Fresh Hop guidelines:
  • Fresh Hop Beer  
  • Beer Color: Varies with underlying style
  • Clarity: Chill haze is acceptable at low temperatures. Hop haze is allowable at any temperature.
  • Perceived Malt Aroma & Flavor: Varies with underlying style
  • Perceived Hop Aroma & Flavor: Fresh hop aroma and flavor is prominent exhibiting green grass-like, fresh mown hay/grass or other fresh hop attributes.
  • Perceived bitterness: Varies with underlying style
  • Fermentation Characteristics: Fruity esters may present at levels consistent with the underlying beer style being made with fresh hops
  • Body: Varies with underlying style  
  • Additional notes: These ales or lagers are brewed with freshly harvested hops. Such hops might be undried fresh or frozen cones or ground material, or, freshly kilned dried cones or pellets. These beers are typically consumed while fresh to highlight bright fresh hop attributes. Aging these beers will typically modify and reduce fresh-hop characters resulting in unique flavor outcomes. Competition organizers may create subcategories for ales and lagers, or which reflect groups of entries based on fresh hops in unprocessed, frozen, or kilned form. When using these guidelines as the basis for evaluating entries at competitions, brewers may be asked to provide supplemental information about entries in this category to allow for accurate evaluation of diverse entries. Such information might include the underlying beer style upon which the entry is based, or other information unique to the entry such as hop varieties used, unprocessed, frozen, or kilned, processing or timing of addition(s) (kettle, whirlpool, fermenter, aging tank, etc.), other ingredients used or other factors which influence perceived sensory outcomes. Original Gravity (°Plato) Varies with style • Apparent Extract/Final Gravity (°Plato) Varies with style • Alcohol by Weight (Volume) Varies with style • Hop Bitterness (IBU) Varies with style
  • Local professional brewers will judge the event
    • Judges to be announced soon
  • Feedback will be provided to all participants

Prizes

• Best of Show winner will be awarded the Fresh Hop Best in Show championship belt (to be held for 1 year)
• Fresh Hop Championship Belt will be engraved with the winner’s name
• The winner will get to hold the belt until the next BOS competition
  • If not returned, the winner’s club is responsible for compensation to replace the belt