Guidelines

Entry Fees

The Michigan Beer Cup (M.B.C.) has a flat fee of $10.00 per entry, with a cap of 5 entries maximum per person. The 14th Annual Michigan Beer Cup Competition has a cap of 500 entries. The competition cap is to ensure judging standards and foster friendly competition.

Competition Guidelines

  • The M.B.C. competition is open to legal residents of Michigan or persons associated with a Michigan-based homebrew club.
    • You must be able to make & consume homebrew in the state of Michigan legally.
    • AHA. Sanctioned Club registered within the state of Michigan are welcome.
  • All Entries must have been brewed at home on a non-commercial system.
    • Entries made at a “Brew on Premises” facility are allowed if the entrant(s) performed ALL the work required to make the entry, including fermentation & bottling.
  • All entries will be judged against the 2021 BJCP Guideline specifications.
    • See Competition Styles for accepted BJCP Categories.
  • All entrants MUST register their entries via the website.
    • Each bottle requires an official competition form generated from the registration site.
    • All forms should be affixed to the bottles using RUBBER BANDS ONLY.
    • Recommend putting the competition form in a plastic Ziploc bag for protection.
    • Do not glue or tape the labels to the bottles.
  • When registering your entry, it is advised to note any co-brewers who have helped you in crafting your entry.
  • Multiple entries are encouraged.
    • Entrants are only allowed to submit 1 entry per sub-category. NO EXCEPTIONS.
    • If an entry is determined to be a duplicate in a sub-category – it will be disqualified.
  • Recipes are not needed or required for entries.
  • If you are making a payment with a check, please make it out to the Michigan Beer Cup. Please attach your check to one of the bottles using rubber bands only.
    • Recommend putting the checks in a plastic Ziploc bag for protection.
    • If you make your payment via PayPal, please attach a copy of the receipt to one of the bottles using rubber bands only.
  • Categories containing a low number of entries may be collapsed or combined at the discretion of the Competition Organizer.
  • Any medals & prizes not picked up at the awards ceremony will be attempted to get to the winners in a reasonable amount of time.
    • Any unclaimed medals & prizes will become the property of the Michigan Beer Cup.
  • Score Sheets will be made available during the week after the awards ceremony via online [our goal] thru your account created during registration. Written score sheets will be kept for a reasonable time before being correctly recycled.
  • Entries must be received at the designated Drop-Off Locations before the close of registration.
    • Late entries may be considered at the discretion of the Competition Organizer.

ALL ENTRIES SUBMITTED TO MICHIGAN BEER CUP COMPETITION BECOME PROPERTY OF THE MICHIGAN BEER CUP AND WILL NOT BE RETURNED. ENTRIES FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THESE GUIDELINES CAN AND WILL BE DISQUALIFIED. DISQUALIFIED ENTRIES WILL NOT BE ISSUED REIMBURSEMENT OF MONIES PAID TO THE COMPETITION.

The greatest of care will be given to the entries before the competition, though we cannot guarantee against harm or damage. Any damages caused by the Michigan Beer Cup Competition will be handled on an individual basis. Our primary goal will be to obtain a replacement for the damaged entry however, if the entrant is unable to provide an additional entry, then a refund will be issued.

Bottle Guidelines

BEER

  • Each entry MUST consist of two (2) 12oz bottles from a single batch of beer.
    • Bottles should be amber in color, have no identifying marks, and have previous labels cleanly stripped off.
    • Raised lettering on bottles is strongly discouraged, but bottles with generic raised lettering will be accepted.
    • Braggot must conform to the BEER bottle Guidelines.

CIDER

  • Each entry MUST consist of two (2) 12oz bottles from a single batch of Cider.
    • Bottles should be amber or clear in color, and previous labels cleanly stripped off.
    • They can be decorative however strive to be generic as possible.

MEAD

  • Each entry MUST consist of two (2) 6oz to 12oz bottles from a single batch of Mead.
    • Bottles should be amber or clear in color, and previous labels cleanly stripped off.
    • They can be decorative however strive to be generic as possible.

GENERAL BOTTLE GUIDELINES THAT APPLY TO ALL BOTTLES

  • Caps must be plain or blackened out.
  • No 22oz bottles allowed.
  • Unique bottles will ONLY be allowed at the discretion of the Competition Organizer.
  • The appropriate fill level is recommended as it may impact your overall score.
  • Failing to meet these requirements may disqualify your entry.