All Idaho HausBrau Battle

As a home-brewer, it's fun to see how your stuff stacks up to other beers. This of course includes many tastings and evaluations, which are both informative and delicious. The next of the opportunities, and one of the biggest maybe in the state, in taking place here in Boise. It's the All Idaho HausBrau Battle and it's coming in May.

This competition is for anyone who is any Idaho resident who brews one of the styles of beer being judged and brews it in their home (i.e. no commercially produced beer). The categories include American IPA, Extra Special Bitter/ English Pale Ale, Oatmeal Stout, Maibock/Helles, Saison, Blonde Ale, and Organic American Amber Ale. Contestants can enter as many times in one or more category. Entree fees are $6 for the first beer and $3 for any after that. To enter you have to bring 3 ea 12 oz bottles, unless you participate in the organic category where you must bring 8 ea 22 oz bottles. All of this will be held at the Stonehouse on the 22nd of May. Entries are due on the 15th of May by 5:00.

One of the fun parts of this competition is the public judging for the organic Amber. This is why there has to be so much beer entered for this category. The public judging costs $10 and includes beer and dinner, so it seems like a pretty good deal. You also have to buy a judging card to participate in the judging, which is $5 and gives you 10-15 samples. All other beers entered will be judged by certified BJCP judges. Some of the prizes sound pretty enticing: a chance to brew at the RAM, to get your beer on tap around town, or to be entered into the GABF Pro-AM competition in Colorado (the biggest beer competition in this part of the world).

I've got an oatmeal stout, an IPA, and hopefully an ESB to enter.

For more information on how to enter visit www.boisecoop.com/idaho-hausbrau-battle-for-homebrewers-and-beer-lovers-alike