Entries accepted December 18 through Saturday January 8th

BURP's Spirit of Belgium includes a special homebrew contest. The contest is open to all categories of Belgian ales as listed below.

Quality judging is one of the hallmarks of the Spirit of Belgium, and is our top priority. Quality judging means that you get the best possible feedback for your entries. BURP recruits qualified BJCP judges. Every entry will be judged by at least three BJCP judges, and in addition, each judge will be screened to make certain that they have a thorough and appropriate knowledge of the Belgian Ale styles. As prior experience has shown that this event attracts many more judges than are actually required, first preferrence will be given to potential judges who are registered for the event. We also ensure quality judging by caring for your beers once they reach the receiving site. Beers will be stored in a refrigerated dark area and will be transported quickly, but carefully, to the judging area and be allowed time to rest. Our team of experienced stewards takes care of each beer as if it were our own.

Contest rules and general questions are listed below.
Click here for the Homebrew Competition Entry Form
Click here for bottle labels

While we are using the 2004 BJCP Style Guidelines, we are not using the category numbers in an attempt to avoid confusion.

Please note that Biere de Garde is not eligible as it is a French style.

For more information on the styles and commercial examples of Belgian beers, please see the BJCP Guide to Beer Styles at www.bjcp.org.

Ribbons will be awarded to first, second and third place for each category. Best of Show ribbons for first, second and third overall Best of Show for the Spirit of Belgium will be awarded to the top three examples of a Belgian-style beer. Depending upon the number of entries, some categories may be collapsed.

10 to 14 ounce beer bottles. Three (3) bottles per entry. Brown longnecks are preferred, but green or clear will be accepted. Please, no labels, raised markings, painted labels, Grolsch-type swing tops, or growlers. Caps must be free of markings or marked out. Do not ask us to return bottles or shipping materials.

Exception: Any of the beers from the sour categories (straight lambic, gueuze lambic, fruit lambic, oud bruin, or flanders red ale) are allowed a little more latitude. Two (2) bottles per entry is acceptable IF the bottles are 16 oz or greater. Also, corked bottles will be accepted.

1. Prepare 3 bottles of each of your beers.

2. Complete the Entry Form and 3 labels.

3. Attach a bottle label to each bottle with a rubber band - do not use tape or glue.

4. Write a check payable to BURP for the total of your entries: $6 for each entry (no limit on number of entries).

5. Bring your entries along with the forms and a check to one of the drop off points between Saturday, 18 December 2004 and Saturday, 8 January 2005. You may also ship your entries.

Where can I Ship Entries?

Ship via UPS or other private carrier to:

Where can Entries be dropped off?