Homebrew

Registration Ends: Monday, Sept. 5, 11:59pm

Entry Drop Off Deadline: Saturday, Sept. 10, 3pm
Submission Location:
Capitol Cider House
3930 Georgia Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20011

Winners Announced: Sunday, Sept. 11, 12pm

Ingredients List Due: Wednesday, Sept. 7, 11:59pm

Winners will be announced on the Fair Main Stage and on the DC State Fair website.

 

Awards Given

Blue, red, and white ribbons will be awarded in the following categories:

  • Best Hop

  • Best Crisp

  • Best Malt

  • Best Roast, Smoke & Wood

  • Best Tart & Funky

  • Best Fruit & Spice

  • Best of Show*

* The winner of the Best in Show ribbon will be drawn from the first-place winners of all six categories.

Judging Criteria

  1. Hop -- Beers for which hop bitterness, flavor or aroma is the dominant or codominant characteristic. These may include BJCP style categories 11, 12, 18, 19, 21, 22.

  2. Crisp -- Beers for which crisp refreshment with light and clean flavors is the dominant or codominant characteristic. These may include BJCP style categories 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.

  3. Malt -- Beers for which malt or sweet flavor is the dominant or codominant characteristic. These may include BJCP style categories 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 17. 

  4. Roast, Smoke & Wood -- Beers for which dark malt, smoked malt or toasted wood flavor or, aroma is the dominant or codominant characteristic. These may include BJCP style categories 8B, 13C, 15, 16, 19C, 20, 21B, 32, 33.

  5. Tart and Funky -- Beers for which sour, earthy or fruity fermentation characteristics from the yeast are dominant or codominant. These may include BJCP style categories 23, 25B, 27 (Gose), 28.

  6. Fruit and Spice -- Beers for which fruit or spices is the dominant or codominant characteristic. These may include beers with actual fruit, vegetables, spices or herbs added. These may include BJCP style categories 10, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30.

  7. Additional points may be awarded for beers that include homegrown ingredients.  

Contest Rules

  1. Professionally brewed beers are ineligible. 

  2. Contestants may enter one home-brewed beer in any of six categories, up to a maximum of three contest entries. 

  3. Each entry requires two 12 oz. to 25.4 oz. (750 ml) bottles of beer. The bottles may be corked and caged or swing top, but the bottles will not be returned to you. 

  4. Each bottle must include a piece of paper identifying the beer with entrant’s name and the name of the entry. The paper must be secured to each bottle with a rubberband. Using waterproof ink or pencil is suggested. Any entries with glued labels will be disqualified

Please note this is not a BJCP competition. The Homebrew Contest will be judged off-site prior to the fair; details about the drop-off venue will be provided to qualified registrants.