1st Annual NEPA Home Brew Competition

So I just wanted to comment on the 1st Annual (and hopefully last) NEPA Home Brew Contest and say that it was pretty much of a FAIL.  All of the things that were promised to competitors never came to fruition.  For an exorbitant $20 entry fee, competitors were to receive a complimentary brunch buffet, food and beverage discounts, and free admission to the event later after they started charging a cover ($5) to get in.  At least some of us actually got a free breakfast out of the deal.  But the food and beverage discounts never happened and they never started charging a cover.  In addition to ALL of this, people were supposed to have been treated to a "gourmet" menu from Top Shelf Catering, who was the organizer of this debacle.  Sorry Top Shelf, your food sucks.  I can honestly say that I did not hear one good thing about the "gourmet" vittles.  I ordered what was supposed to be a Beer Battered Cod Po' Boy with Crabmeat crust, Chopped Shrimp, and a Sriracha Remoulade.  When my food got to our table, the "crabmeat" crust was actually imitation krab, there was no shrimp, and no sriracha remoulade.  The fish was overcooked and it certainly wasn't fresh.  Needless to say, it got sent back to the kitchen along with my regards to the chef.  Any "chef" that uses imitation krabmeat in a dish should be ashamed of themselves. Then to add insult to injury, Andy Gavin's has a crappy beer selection and what they do have is expensive (paid $6 for a bottle of Ommegang Hennepin).  So it wasn't until a couple of us snuck outside to enjoy some home brew that I actually had a decent beer.  Thanks Kurt and Steve!  You guys were life savers.  :o)

The home brew competition really fared no better with 5 categories, almost 50 entries, and only 4 judges (poor guys).  It was poorly organized and the cash prizes that were promised never materialized.  Instead, the winners for each "style" (Ale, Lager, Wheat?, Stout, Specialty) were given a $100 gift certificate for Top Shelf Catering (woo hoo!) and the overall runner up (and winner of the stout category) received a $100 gift card to Andy Gavin's (the host venue).  Still haven't heard if the overall winner actually got a cash prize.

So after paying $20 to enter one of my beers, get a so so breakfast, get none of the discounts that we were all promised, eat crappy food, and have our beers judged by what criteria no one seems to know, it was not the worst day I've ever had nor (shockingly) the worst event I've ever attended. You live and you learn.  Definitely won't be participating in this event if there actually is a next year. Cheers!