Buddy's Amber NHC Scores

Buddy's Amber has a particularly interesting history. Version 1 of this beer (linked to above) scored 35 at the New England Regional home Brewing Competition in 2008, and a 28 at Dixie cup that year because it didn't have enough malt. Version 2 scaled back the hops from 42 IBUs to 25 IBUs, got a 39 at Bluebonnet and advanced to the second round where the beer had turned bad and scored a 24. At NHC last year that beer scored a 17. Version 3 scored a 29, mainly because I was talked into entering it as Category 23 - Specialty Beer instead of American Amber Ale. Judge One, a certified BJCP judge said it needed more hops. *sigh* He also suggested it go into the Spice beer category instead. Judge Two said the same thing, and noted some plastic aromas.

So it looks like Version 4 will be hoppier and entered in American Amber and the spice beer category.