Register now. I’m going to… Assuming my most recent batches of beer are as good as I’d hoped that they’d be, I’ll be entering a couple of beers. This will be my first competition. I’ve also signed up to volunteer, so that’ll be a first as well. More info:

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN for members of the Saint Paul Homebrewers Club [and everyone else, for that matter] to enter the 6th Annual Upper Mississippi Mash-Out at http://www.mnbrewers.com/mashout ! The Mash-Out is one of the top homebrew contests in the country.  We offer fabulous prizes for every winner and hand-made wooden chalices for best-of-show winners in beer, mead and cider categories.  The AHA/BJCP-sanctioned contest is organized by the St. Paul Homebrewers Club and the Minnesota Home Brewer’s Association.

The Mash-Out is the opening event in the High Plains Brewer of the Year Award 2007, the Midwest Brewer of the Year Award 2007 and the MCAB IX.

Key Dates:
Jan. 1-13, entries accepted
Jan. 26-27, judging at the Klub Haus in St. Paul
Jan. 27, “Jamaica in January” themed beer banquet and awards ceremony

Judge!
Outsiders are very welcome.  Judges and volunteers are pampered with an in-door “Pub Crawl,” a Brewpub Brewers Forum, commemorative pint glasses and the opportunity to pre-order growlers from regional brewpubs.  It’s a lot of fun, and you can sign up now.

Banquet in the islands
Chef Manfred Krug is going tropical with an island-themed menu this year.  “Let’s get together and feel all right” at the “Jamaica in January” banquet on Jan. 27.  The cost is $30, and you can sign up now.  The complete menu will be posted in the near future.

Special Events
Back by popular demand:  the Eis-Anything category with its stained-glass trophy.  Put the cold weather to practical use by doing ice versions of your beer, mead or cider creations.  Multiple entries allowed.  Also back is the New Entrant category.  If you haven’t entered a beer contest before, this one is for you.

Everyone is sure to have a n’ICE day at the Mash-Out 2007.  We hope to see you there!

Also…

Both the Beer Banquet and the Judging Slots for the Upper Mississippi Mash-Out are already half filled!  If you’re thinking of attending the banquet, or of helping to judge, sign up today!  We did have to turn away people who signed up late last year….

http://www.mnbrewers.com/mashout/