First comp, where do my beers fit in, style wise?

[bpfishback]

So I'm entering a local BJCP comp, it will be my first, and I have a few questions about what category to put my beers under. They are:

Shakespeare stout clone with coffee - This goes in 21a?

All brett claussenii fermented IPA - This would go in 23? Is it worth it to try and put it in the IPA or IIPA category as well? It has a bit more IBUs than the IPA category suggests and I'm going to dry hop the crap out of it so maybe IIPA?

Also what does bottle "caps must be blacked out" mean?

And of course I will be putting my club as the brewing network.

[TheDarkSide]

Shakespeare stout clone with coffee - This goes in 21a?

If the coffee is subtle, you could enter it in American Stout (13E) otherwise 21A.

All brett claussenii fermented IPA - This would go in 23? Is it worth it to try and put it in the IPA or IIPA category as well? It has a bit more IBUs than the IPA category suggests and I'm going to dry hop the crap out of it so maybe IIPA?

I've never used Brett, but probably Specialty but you should taste it first and decide.

Also what does bottle "caps must be blacked out" mean?

If you are using plain caps, no blackout needed. They want to make sure there are not distinguishing marks on the caps that could identify your beer. A Sharpie usually does it.

And of course I will be putting my club as the brewing network.

Good luck with the comp!

[brewinhard]

So I'm entering a local BJCP comp, it will be my first, and I have a few questions about what category to put my beers under. They are:

Shakespeare stout clone with coffee - This goes in 21a?

All brett claussenii fermented IPA - This would go in 23? Is it worth it to try and put it in the IPA or IIPA category as well? It has a bit more IBUs than the IPA category suggests and I'm going to dry hop the crap out of it so maybe IIPA?

Also what does bottle "caps must be blacked out" mean?

And of course I will be putting my club as the brewing network.

Agreed with Darkside. as for the Brett C. IPA if the hops overpower the ferment of the Brett C. then definitely try it in the IPA category. Just think about the other beers you will go up against in this category and try to think if yours will compete well there. If not, then put it in specialty or even belgian specialty if you are so inclined. I have entered an all Brett C. and Brett L pale in both belgian specialty and specialty categories before in the same comp. The belgian specialty scored higher (37) than the specialty (34) but it did not place in the belgian specialty and actually took a GOLD in the specialty category! Go figure...