2011 MI Brewing Comp

Harking back to the times of yore,

Where the beer was great and did not bore.

The brewmaster invited the local townsfolk

To try their hand, and thus he spoke:

"Rally, my friends, use your head

For brewing this beer in my stead."

And lo, the people answered the call

To brew a special beer for all.

When the MIPEP crew returned at the end of November and all were on station, teams of 2 or 3 (or some individuals) colluded together to make some wonderful and not so wonderful experimental beers. The beers were bottled and ready for taste testing as a start to the New Year’s Eve celebrations.

There were eight beers in total:

P22, a ginger beer with cinnamon, cloves and cardamom added. Made by Tim the seal researcher and named after an unruly male fur seal.

Back Door Tony Spearmint, a black and tan by Back Door the hunter made from stout and draught with spearmint added to it.

Back Door Tony Liquorice, a black and tan by Back Door from stout and draught with liquorice added.

Macca Merry Beer, a lager with a special mix of berries and spice – for the Christmas spirit – made by Claudia, Nancye and Dana.

Tama’s Piss, a lager with citrus flavours added and made by Doggo, named after his dog Tama.

BCB, a stout with blackcurrant juice added made by Stumpy and Captain.

T&E, a stout by Tony and Eve with black jellybeans that give an extra kick.

SSM1, the entry made by our illustrious Comms Techs Dan and Trevor. A larger that also had citrus flavours added… in the form of concentrated cordials and essences that closely resembled one of the cleaning fluids: Sanitizer Super Mix 1.

The judges: Julia the Alby researcher, Col the Electrician, Danny the Chef and Me the Met Tech (brewmaster); were given a blind tasting of each beer and simply gave a score out 10, along with tasting notes for each of the brews. The lucky winners would be given the prize of a cooked breakfast by the judges.

Judges preparing to taste the fine wares (photo by someone else, not me because I'm in it)

In third place, with a score of 28, was BDTS. This beer was said to have a good taste, be very complex, but lacking in aroma.

Second place, on a score of 30, went to P22. The ginger ninja has slipped and skidded his way past the field with his special blend of spices and a great head. One judge went on to say that it was “the best ginger beer I’ve had.”

And in first place, on 32 points, winners of the 2011 Macca Brewing Competition, were the head hunters Stumpy and Captain and their stout BCB. This stout was said to be interesting yet different, bitter and with coffee flavours too.

The two Petes arrived in the mess on Monday for a delicious breakfast, although both had to be reminded by the judges that they'd won and they ate almost an hour apart from each other.

Captain enjoying his winnings (photo by someone else)

Stumpy about have his delicious food served by me (photo by someone else - again)

This story was supposed to appear in today's Icy news, but didn't, so it's here. I'll post something about NYE in a few days. Maybe.