Local Homebrewer TV Show

[Chris Norrick]

For those not on Facebook, Patrick from Weber Equipment has just unveiled the big secret:

I apologize for being vague regarding our beer contest. We have been under a confidentiality agreement until everyone felt comfortable that the project would indeed move forward. After meeting today I have been given a green light to disclose the basics of the contest with fine tuning and more information to follow. What we can say for now is the contest will be televised and heavily promoted leading up to the event. This program will not be a generic local program because of the nature of the content as well as personalities, color commentators, and other elements still to be worked out. The production team has promised a very entertaining program even for people who do not currently brew. Our request for sponsorship from each city is simply a request that perhaps you know of a business, preferably one that sells beer that you could direct us to. We are not asking that you sign them up but rather let us know who may be interested since you know your local businesses better than we do. For the sponsor, the exposure generated will be very substantial and rewarding. As always we greatly appreciate your support and we look forward to making this memorable event for the entire tri-state.

And his earlier vague post he was referring to:

Attn. Evansville, Owensboro, Jasper, and Southern Illinois home brewers. Weber Equipment will be hosting a beer contest with four teams head to head. Only one team to represent your city. This will be a very high profile contest and we must have at least one sponsor from your city. If you would like to see a team (maybe yours) represent your city please help us find a sponsor in your town..fast. Contest is on the fast track so as soon as we have sponsors from 4 different cities we will solicit for teams from those towns. Teams of 3 people will be selected by invitation only. This is NOT your typical beer contest and the exposure for the sponsors will be great. Any business that turns this opportunity down will be hating life. Please direct potential sponsors to Patrick Willett 812-423-3050. If you are interested in competing, a third party will choose each team. Interested teams must submit photographs of each team member, short biography of each member, and why your team should represent your city. But remember, we must have sponsorship from your city first. Prizes yes but most importantly bragging rights!

[SkyBrew]

So from what I am reading does he want the OVHA to get a team together of 3 people to represent Evansville?

[msjulian]

Interesting rules... They say they want to film this by the end of March first of April...

brew_comp.pdf

[SkyBrew]

Why would pumps and wort chillers be prohibited equipment? And it says the third week beer is bottled and carbonated but under the prohibited list it lists "forced carbonation" as prohibited. Cordless only grainmill? Not knowing what your brewing until the day of also means no yeast starter.. So many restrictions!

[msjulian]

Sounds to me like they are trying to make it like Top Chef. They said no chillers because the the building has little water supply and cordless grinders because they don't want the camera crew tripped up. Not real sure how to pull off a 3 hour all grain brew anyway. I guess 45 min mash and hard 45 min boil...

[msjulian]

Especially with no real way to chill quickly...

[msjulian]

After the beer is done fermenting you have to rack off a growler full and prime with sugar to carbonate. The beer will then be judged from the growler. It says remainder of the beer will be bottled. Not sure by who or in what.

The biggest issue I see is that the teams have to be "sponsored" by an "approved" sponsor (let's be real advertiser) and they seem to be leaving it up to the team to find the sponsor. My guess is that it will cost a pretty penny to be a sponsor.

[SkyBrew]

I guess it would have to be an all malt extract brew :/

[sirgiovanni]

We need an emoticon of a guy drinking crafted ale with one hand while bashing his brains out with this other.
It sounds like this show will promote ignorance of our craft more than anything.

[msjulian]

I will be shocked if they get it off the ground. And if they do it will be really lame TV

[Don]

We need an emoticon of a guy drinking crafted ale with one hand while bashing his brains out with this other.
It sounds like this show will promote ignorance of our craft more than anything.

[john mills]

It's beer, beer, beer, beer, beer, beer, beer, beer, beer, beer, beer, beer, beer, beer, beer. Oh! Did mention it's beer, beer, beer, beer, beer, beer, beer, beer, beer?

[Don]

Sound like John is up to his xxx in Beer