MCAB Overview
MCAB Overview
MCAB is more an event than an organization – the Master’s Championship of Amateur Brewing is a yearly championship competition for homebrewers. Brewers qualify for the MCAB championship event by competing in the highest-quality independent homebrewing competitions that have been selected as Qualifying Events for MCAB. These Qualifying Events are located all over North America, and the qualifying cycle runs for the entire calendar year. Placing first in any MCAB-recognized category qualifies the entrant for admission into the MCAB championship competition, which is typically scheduled to take place early the following calendar year.
The number of entrants in each category in the MCAB championship event (usually one from each Qualifying Event) is smaller than in the Qualifying Events, but since each entrant is a Qualifying Event first place winner, the competition is very strong. In the words of the announcement for the very first MCAB, it is a “champions’ championship.” Awards are given to the first three places in each category, as well as Best of Show. Simply qualifying for entry into the MCAB championship event is a mark of an excellent brewer, because only first place finishes qualify and the individual Qualifying Events are generally the biggest and best homebrew competitions.
One of the goals of MCAB is to promote and recognize homebrew competitions that are of consistently outstanding quality, by asking them to be MCAB Qualifying Events. Such events should possess the following attributes:
· Prominent announcement of the event on the sponsoring club’s web site, on this web site and on the Beertown.org events calendar, preferably at least two months in advance of the deadline for receipt of entries
· Easy registration and entry
· Prompt posting of results and mailing of score sheets
Other things that are taken into consideration:
· Number of entrants is considered, although quality trumps quantity
· Judge certification and the quality of score sheet feedback are considerations
· Accuracy and timeliness of reporting results to MCAB
· Web site organization
o prominent competition announcement
o ease of navigation
o completeness and consistency of rules
o prominent drop-off and mail-in addresses
o contacts in case of trouble or questions