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1.) Malty or Sweet
Beers
Beers for which a malty or sweet
flavor is the dominant or co-dominant flavor. (Scottish ales,
milk stouts, beers with lots of crystal malt)
2A.) Bitter or Hoppy
Beers
Beers for which hop bitterness,
flavor or aroma is the dominant or co-dominant characteristic.
The impression of the hop character is more important than the
IBU rating of the beer, but we expect most beers in this
category to rate between 35 and 60 IBUs. (American pale ales,
IPAs)
2B.) Hop
Monsters
Bitter or hoppy beers brewed such
that only a hop head could love them. Beers in this category
will be judged primarily on the quality of the hop
characteristics in the beer as other aspects of the beer may
be partially or totally obscured. Although the impression of
hop character is more important than the IBU rating of the
beer, beers should probably have over 60 IBUs to be entered in
this category.
3A.) Session
Beers
Beers that exhibit a pleasing balance
of beer flavors and aromas and are refreshing and "drinkable."
There is no gravity restriction on this category, but be aware
that there is a strong beer category and that alcohol is a
characteristic that needs to be in balance. Session beers -
"beers to have when you're having more than one" - belong in
the category.
3B.) Lawnmower
beers
There are session beers and then
there are "it's 100 �F in the shade and I've been mowing the
lawn and want something refreshing"-type session beers. Got
real thirst-quencher? Enter it in this category.
4A.) Strong
Beers
Beers for which alcoholic strength is
the dominant or co-dominant characteristic. Beers within the
category are judged on overall presentation (appearance, aroma
and flavor), not by alcoholic content. In other words, the
strongest beer will not necessarily be the winner. The strong
beer category is for beers around 6-8% ABV. (Wee Heavies,
Doppelbock, IPA)
4B.) Big and
Boozy
Beers that are not just strong, but
positively boozy (at least 8% ABV). As in the strong beer
category, the strongest beer will not necessarily be the
winner. (Barleywines, Imperial Stouts)
5A.) Dark
Beers
Beers for which dark malt
characteristics are the dominant or co-dominant
characteristic. Beers in this category are dark colored beers
with a small to moderate dark grain character, but without a
lot of roast or burnt malt character. (Brown Ales, Bocks,
Brown Porters)
5B.) Roasty
Beers
Dark beers brewed with sufficient
amounts of very dark malts (roasted barley, black patent malt)
to give a roasty (or perhaps even burnt) edge to them. (Robust
Porters, Stouts)
6.) Yeasty
Beers
Beers for which fermentation
characteristics, other than the usual characteristics of ale
and lager yeasts, are a major contributor to the beer's
character - i.e. the "funky" beers. These include beers with a
banana, clove or bubblegum elements, such as Bavarian
Weissbiers, and Belgian-style ales with phenolic or other
characteristics derived from the use of "special" yeast
strains.
7.)
Lagers
Beers brewed with lager yeast.
(Lager beers may be entered in other categories, as
appropriate.)
8.) Flavored
Beers
Beers for which a flavor not listed
above is a dominant or co-dominant characteristic. Beers in
this category are judged on overall presentation (appearance,
aroma and flavor), with special consideration paid to the
"other" flavor within the context of the beer's overall
sensory profile. Subcategories are: 8A.) Sour Beers 8B.) Smoky
Beers 8C.) Fruit Beers 8D.) Spiced Beers 8E.) Other Beers
(please specify what other flavor your beer exhibits)
9.) Experimental
Beers
Beers brewed using an unusual brewing
technique or made with ingredients that require some sort of
special processing beyond mashing, boiling or adding to a
fermenter or keg. These include steinbiers and eisbocks.
Please describe your experimental technique on the entry
form.
10.) Open Category -
A free-for-all
A popularity contest. A
chance to show your beer can take on all comers. Any beer can
be entered in this category for any reason. Although we have
made an effort to define broad, inclusive categories, we
realize that there are some beers that may fall outside the
boundaries of the listed categories. Additionally, some
brewers may feel their beer - even if it fits well in another
category - is blessed and need fear no other beer. Beers in
this category will be judged solely on how well the judges
like them.
11.) The
Crusade
Our categories go to eleven. This
category will be a special, ZEALOT-mandated mission to any
homebrewers who choose to accept. Winners in this category are
granted admission to homebrew heaven. This year's Crusade
category is: "You put how much what in where?" The name says
it all. Beers with a lot of a special (or "special")
ingredient. If you have to ask for more guidance beyond this,
you don't want to enter this
category. | 
