Funky Picnic to host Smoke ‘Em Out Homebrew Competition

Image courtesy of Funky Picnic Brewery & Café.

Calling attention to a relative rarity among specialty beers, Fort Worth-based neighbors Funky Picnic Brewery & Café and TexMalt have teamed up to create a first-of-its-kind all smoked beer competition.

Naturally, this unique event will highlight all things smoky, including traditional smoked beer styles like rauchbier and lichtenhainer, but it also will allow participants to get creative with open-ended freestyle categories. Entrants will receive up to 5 lbs. of smoked San Jacinto 2-Row Heritage Malt from TexMalt to design their recipes around.

The goal, of course, is to create a well-made smoked beer, exhibiting a balance of beer and smoke. Competition entries should have enough smoke to enjoy the subtle nuances in the flavor and aroma of the wood used, yet be light enough in this regard to tell that there is a beer behind all that smoke.

Online registration is open now through August 28th. Entries will be judged by experienced brewers, beer judges, maltsters, and all-around smoked beer enthusiasts. Winners will be selected for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards based on technical style categories, as well as a Brewer’s Choice award that will be brewed at Funky Picnic and placed on the tap wall.

For more information, or to throw your own hat into the smoke ring (if you will), visit the official competition website at: https://www.funkypicnicbrewery.com/smoke-em-out-homebrew.