Clearly dates are not final but does someone has an approx date?
It’s not the same to brew for shipping EO February than shipping EO May. Duh…
For EO February we need to start brewing now/soon (some styles).
I believe everything is going to be judged in Denver. I’m not sure of the schedule.
Many changes this year. They will judge in Denver like they did for GABF.
Here is what I know. Has entry timing. Increased fees too.
I’m wondering how many bottles will be required.
I think the timing is the legacy one.
If not… we need to get brewing …
I contacted John Moorhead, who runs NHC, and asked him to stop by
Thanks. No worries about an exact date. A window should work.
I’d be interested to hear his thoughts about inclusion and access with these changes. I know many homebrewers are fairly well off, but between shipping and entry fees you’re probably looking at $50+ to enter a beer. I imagine that prices out quite a few brewers, even those that can afford it.
I also wonder how this will affect the judging landscape. NHC first round always seemed like a good way to judge or observe some of the best judges, like Sandy Cokerham. I’m sure there are other opportunities, but it doesn’t quite seem the same.
On the other hand, it is really nice to not have to worry about rebrewing and timing brew schedules. It’ll be interesting to hear from John, he gave a great beer ed for the club earlier in the year.
The inclusion and access topic is valid but IMHO should be handled at the local level by clubs and maybe local competitions through awards.
It would be unfair to ask more of the AHA given the downsizing they already experienced.
I certainly don’t expect the AHA to operate NHC at a loss, I just wonder if there are other alternatives. Clearly the number of entries drives the cost. NHC could be switched to be an invitational-anyone who meets certain requirements can enter. For example, there’s a few hundred of BJCP sanctioned competitions every year, with several a month that have over 150 entries. Between May and September 2019, there were over 30 competitions with at least 100 entries. Some of these have over 200 entries, cost less than $10 to enter, and are close enough that beers can be dropped off instead of being shipped. The BJCP organization has all the data on who’s entered, and who’s won. Brewers who medal in an appropriately large competition in the past year could enter a beer (possibly restricted to the category they entered in). This would naturally limit the number of entries and allow the cost of NHC to be reduced to a more reasonable level.
Benefits:
- Reduces barriers to entry (Lower cost of shipping/entry fee)
- Drives more engagement with local competitions
- Enhances prestige of local competitions
- Reduces NHC first round cost to practically $0
- Allows brewers more time and flexibility to qualify for NHC
I can tell you that the cost is entirely driven by what it will cost to operate NHC. The way it has to be this year means expenses have increased. The entry prices will barely cover expenses assuming it makes out entries. If it doesnt it’s bad news.
Sorry but failing to see the savings. If NHC is $29 + shipping? How will an extra $10 for the regional plus regional shipping save money? Even if local shipping is $10, which is not, NHC has to be $9 to break even.
I understand that completely, and I’m positive it’d be too late to change anything for this year any way. I don’t think the AHA is trying to profit off if this, I’m just commenting that high cost of entry is a barrier for many people.
NHC has always been more to enter. There are more expenses to cover. If you wan to a safe NHC this is the path to do it, following the way they did GABF.
Hi Everyone,
The detailed timeline isn’t quite ready yet, but the general timeline will be shipping at the end of March/beginning of April and judging at the end of April/beginning of May.
Registration and payment will be end of February.
Thank you - good to know the ballpark timeline at this point.
Can you please allow non standard bottle sizes in categories in which higher carbonation is per style?
Good conversation - sorry I’m late to the party here.
In order to make this event possible, the entry fee needed to change. The increase will allow us to conduct all of the judging in one place and to take the necessary health and safety precautions. The one-fee structure, rather than two separate fees for a first-round and final round ($16+$9), will enable us to take the necessary steps to conduct a world-class judging experience that all brewers, professional or amateur, can be proud to be a part of. Local competitions are still accessible and something we’d encourage!
The previous format of the first and final round had its own shortcomings beyond the two entry fees - it required entrants to brew, ship to the first round site, rebrew, and ship to the final round site. That all adds up quite quickly. The new format allows us to scale up the competition moving forward without necessarily raising our costs substantially because the only way to expand access to the competition prior was to add a first-round judge center that brings a high set cost.
We believe this new structure and format will improve the competition for the entrant and the judges by a) evaluating all entries in parallel rather than over a six week period b) establish consistent judging in one location rather than over 13 locations and c) allowing the competition to expand category count as it sees fit and do right by the entrants.
In the past, the competition has not covered all of its expenses and at times has operated at a loss. There is a need to change the pricing structure to help us mitigate growing competition expenses and ensure the competition will happen in 2021 and future years. At the current entry limit, the competition will operate at a net neutral budget after overhead expenses – in other words, not generating a whole lot of money.
Large expenses to host this competition include:
Catering for 100+ people over six days
Rental equipment and facilities (tables, chairs, reefer trucks, permits, sorting supplies, etc.)
Misc. Competition supplies (cups, sanitizer, cleaning supplies, office supplies, printing, etc.)
Labor and salaries
Software and IT support
We understand that 2020 has been a challenging year for many and we continue to think about ways we can support you all. We believe that one silver lining is that many of us have had the chance brew a few more batches, and maybe even share a few more beers with friends. Our community is important to us, and ensuring the competition happens in 2021 is an important part of building that community, have something to look forward to, and have a reason to celebrate.
Shipping window is end of March/beginning of April
Judging is end of April.
Is it still 3 bottles per entry?
Wow, if I read the ENTRANT HANDBOOK correctly, 5 bottles are required for each entry packaged in 12oz bottles. This will for sure add to shipping costs.