Hello, Darkness – New BCBS Member-Only Competition

Hello, Darkness, my old friend. And not that crap nu-metal version either. (I SAID WHAT I SAID!) I’m talking about the original. The old school. The one that made Art think he was talented enough to go solo.

I’m talking about the one that is the inspiration for this fall’s new BCBS Member-Only Competition. Everything about this one is going to be old-school. Here’s what you need to know and some RAQs (Randomly Asked Questions).

• ELIGIBILE PEOPLE: Hello, Darkness is open to all Active BCBS Members. What’s an Active Member? Anyone who has paid their dues in the last 12 months. Am I an Active Member? Reach out to your Treasurer, Matt Cutter, or contact the Board (brewers@butlercountybrewing.org) to check your status. How do I become an Active Member? See answer to previous question.
• ELIGIBLE BEER: Hello, Darkness is open to the following BJCP styles: Schwarzbier (8B), English Porter (13C), Irish Stout (15B), Irish Extra Stout (15C), Sweet Stout (16A), Oatmeal Stout (16B), Tropical Stout (16C), Foreign Extra Stout (16D), American Porter (20A), American Stout (20B), Imperial Stout (20C), Black IPA (21B2). That’s it? That’s it. What about my barrel-aged stout? Sorry, NO wood-aged, NO spiced, NO fruited beers allowed. Straight dark beer styles only. We want to see how you handle roast grains without hiding behind other stuff. What about my American Brown Ale? With a top-end SRM of 35, that can be pretty dark. True, but with a minimum SRM of 18, it can also be not-dark. Stick to the list. Yeah, but my tequila, bourbon, vanilla, blackberry, jalapeño, smoothie stout is super delish! Are you sure? NO… just NO.
• ENTRY DROP OFF AND JUDGING: Judging will be completed at the Annual Membership Meeting on 12 November with entry drop off the same day. What if I can’t make it to the meeting? Reach out to Cory Aldrich to make arrangements; he’s cool like that. Cool; how much and what time? One Entry per Member. Please drop off at 6pm, so we can check you in and get judging under way. Bring two (2) 12-ounce bottles ready to serve, because we will not have time to chill them before judging. No, I mean how much money, doofus? Oh… entry is included with your BCBS Membership, and interesting choice to insult the guy overseeing the competition. Oh… my bad? All good; Cory Aldrich is cool like that.
• COMPETITION AWARDS: Winners will be announced same day. In addition to the unwavering adulation of your fellow BCBS members, the recipe will be brewed locally at Humble Monk Brewing. Does this mean Chuck and Dave Ward might kneel before me and profess my superior brewing prowess? Maybe… but to be the king, first you have to beat the King…
• QUESTIONS: Cory Aldrich is the dude for this one.