Every year, especially after this last Mazer Cup, I rehash the whole process of competitions. I mean, as a homebrewer, why compete? For commercial producers, medals and awards can vouch for the quality of the wine you are purchasing. They add a level of credibility and aid in the marketing process. But for homebrewers, who cannot sell their wines, what purpose does this serve?
I know several individuals that compete as homebrewers with the intent to one day go commercial. That makes perfect sense to me, especially at the Mazer Cup International level. Building your reputation for fine wines/meads prior to actually going commercial has your public waiting in anticipation. I simply cannot argue that approach to marketing for the future.
The rest of us? Well, we get bragging rights, but how long can you brag before you start loosing friends? Then there are the lovely awards that act as superb dust catchers once the blush of success wears off.
I have won First Place in two competitions: My very first and my last. There is a decade or more of years between the two, which puts my consistency in question. Not to mention that both times I won with what I viewed as flawed wines… What’s up with that? Kind of hard to brag when you personally want to question the judges’ reasoning and sense of taste. (No offense intended. This is clearly my issue and is not intended to put anyone’s actual skills in doubt.)
I guess it is for that very reason I enter the competitions: Feedback – the more in depth and gritty as possible. Winning is a lovely side-affect, but it will not make me a better homebrewer in and of itself. As much as I love and respect my brew buddies, they already like what I make – no need for improvement – so it is very hard to get the bitter, technical critique I need. They are too kind to risk hurting my feelings with too much truth.
For me? I want to learn to correct the flaws in my wines and create an even better end product. I need to learn if the points I consider flaws are actually attributes I need to be cultivating. It may simply be that my palate needs educating and I am willing to learn.
Now, where did I put those entry forms for the State Fair…
Morgan
Tags: competitions, homebrewing, mead, meadmaking
