We met at the Oak Meadow picnic area, of Vasona Lake County Park, at 5:00PM on Saturday May 18.

We didn’t discuss any business, proceeding to judge the lager challenge.

Sadly I had trouble with the software, so we reverted to a manual approach.
Judges identified their 1st, 2nd & 3rd place of the 6 beers.

• 3 points were awarded for each 1st place,
• 2 points were awarded for each 2nd place and
• 1 point was awarded for each 3rd place beer.

The results follow.

1st place was Kyle’s Japanese Rice Lager, a BJCP 2A: International Pale Lager.
Garnering 11 points, this dry, crisp, clean, clear, well carbonated lager was the crowd favorite.

2nd place was Dave Banks’ Jesus’ Cough Syrup, a BJCP 1C. Premium American Lager.
Altho very critical, of his beer, we found it to be a reasonable attempt at challenging beer style garnering 6 points.
As he was running out of time, for brewing the beer, he fermented with Lutra.
The bittering was a little high, but it was ‘clean’ and well hopped.

3rd place was Eric’s Goat Herder, a BJCP 4C: Helles Bock.
Unfortunately I presented the beer as a 5A. Maibock- perhaps misleading the judges.
This beer received 5 points.
We just found it to be a bit dark for 4C: Helles Bock and a bit too bitter for either 4C: Helles Bock or 5A. Maibock.
But it was clean and exhibited some malt complexity.

Congratulations and well done to Kyle, Dave and Eric!

We moved on to sampling other beers, attendees brought to share.

The next club challenge is ‘Clone War’, the goal is to brew a clone of a commercial beer.
The judging will be in July, 2024.