Received my score sheets from the State Fair Competition. The gold medal Kolsch scored a 37 and missed being in the best of show by one point. Thinking if I would have filtered the beer I could have been in the best of show, but doubt it would have won much more.
The bronze winning stout got a 31 which I still think is high for that beer. The notes on this beer conflict each other on many levels. I know one of the judges and take generally side with him on beers we have tasted, but I think the other judge was more right. I know that I was unable to get the hops I wanted for this batch and had to do some substitutions on the malt bill that I wasn’t happy with so hopefully next years batch will be better.
The Alt beer scored a 28 and once again the score sheets conflict with each other. To me the beer was over carbonated which one judge agreed with. The other judge said it was to low. I’ve had a couple pro brewers say that there was some slight diacetyl (butter flavor) in the beer, which I have a problem tasting, but believe could be there. One judge mentioned it the other didn’t. Over all a 28 is a little better than I would have gave it, and am happy with the score. I have a bunch of things I will try to improve the beer.