The 2012 Titletown Open

Well the 2012 Titletown Open is over with. Lots of entries. Some really great beers, and sadly quite a few really bad beers. We gotta find these guys makin crappy beers and turn them around.

I had put a few in, but nothing I thought was worth a whole lot. The stout I remade from last years Open was pretty disappointing. I changed a few things, and while it wasn't a bad beer in general, it was not the stout I had intended.

In fact at first I wasn't even sure it was a stout any more. More of a Cascadian Dark ale. But as it aged a bit it seemed to slide a bit more into American Stout range. That's what I entered it as. So I was not surprised in the least when the scores came back. I may have done better as the Dark ale or maybe even porter. A damn hoppy porter but i think it may have fit.

The one I thought had the best chance going in was the Weizenbock. And yep, it won a second. While it was a very good beer, and even a good bock, it was not “wheaty” enough for the Weizen style. And yep I would agree. And I know why. (that part is coming up)

My Wiki'd ale went in as an American Amber. I was debating on wether or not to put it there but it seemed to fit the closest. But I already knew it was wasn't even close to what the judges would be looking for in an American Amber. But it still got up in the 30's so I'm good with that.

All in all I thought I did just fine. Considering I pretty much knew what flaws were there already. The good thing is that everything thing was “wrong” were things that can be addressed.

* the stout- go back to original recipe. Add more aroma hops. Consider dry hopping

* the Amber- easy fix. More hops. Late editions. Or less hops if going the Irish route. It was kinda right in the middle.

*the Weizenbock- this was a partial mash. All of the wheat was LME. Got some of the wheat flavor from it but none of the other stuff wheat grain brings. This time I can all grain it. Will get the wheat character needed this way.

I would love to redo all three of these for next year. In fact 2 of the three are most likely the next 2 brews. I may bump the Woot!zenbock up first as the year age did wonders for it. Then the Amber need to be done just because we ran out and I would like to keep this on tap. The Stout I have always made in september or October and will most probably do it then again.

There we go, 2012 is only days past and I pretty much have next years entries planned out. Will need to get one more in there just to balance out the 6 packs. And I think I may have that one in mind also. But Who, um ::cough:: I mean what is it?

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