County Shows

[coatesg]

Hi chaps,

I've just realised it's the county show (Thame) coming up at the end of next month, and I see that they have (buried amongst the various flower, cake and vegetable classes...) a "Beer" competition class. Was half-tempted to enter something in, though wonder if anyone has done similar (in this or another county/local show)? You see, the class is somewhat "vague":

1 bottle of beer, bitter type.
In brown bottle, 330-350ml crown stopper.

And that's it...! (Rather odd bottle size, no starting gravity, no idea on the judging (though members of the Thame Wine Circle judging, so I'm guessing NGWBJ...?)...)

[coatesg]

County shows are great, county shows with booze are even better.

My thoughts exactly! (As long as there's a beer tent...!) My old man is a butcher too - was thinking of seeing if he fancied coming along and having a look round at the animals.

Thanks for the tip on the Guiness FES bottles - thinking about it, I may have some Belgian empties (or full ones! Duvel?) that will do the job too (Given the lack of rules, I'm sure they won't care a toss about the bottle shape / cap colour / yada yada / etc )

[coatesg]

A county show has to sell cider by law (probably)

[WishboneBrewery]

Leffe bottles are 330ml

Make something really strong or fortify it with something

[coatesg]

I could make a recipe from the Durden Park book...but I'm not sure it'll be quite mature in time (but it'll be bitter! )

[WishboneBrewery]

Its tempting to do a Durden Park IPA recipe anyway, I've been reading the IPA and Stout Camra books which have a fair amount of recipes, some from the Durden park book.