Kansas City Bier Meisters 43rd Annual Homebrew Competition
Entries
Judging
Entry Registration
Judge Registration
Steward Registration
Entry Drop-Off
Entry Shipping
Rules
Judge and Steward Registration is Open
If you have not registered and are willing to be a volunteer, please register.
If you have registered, log in and then choose Edit Account from the My Account menu indicated by the icon on the top menu.
Entry Registration is Open
This competition is AHA sanctioned and open to any amateur homebrewer age 21 or older.
All mailed entries must be received at the mailing location by the entry deadline - please allow for shipping time. If you are an international entrant, please contact the Competition Organizer to make shipping arrangements due to the multiple tariffs in place as well as having the entry having to clear customs.
All entries must be handcrafted products containing ingredients available to the general public and made using private equipment by hobbyist brewers (i.e., no use of commercial facilities or Brew on Premises operations, supplies, etc.).
The competition organizers are not responsible for miscategorized entries, mailed entries that are not received by the entry deadline, or entries that arrived damaged.
Qualified judging of all entries is the primary goal of our event. Judges will evaluate and score each entry. The average of the scores will rank each entry in its category. Each flight will have at least one BJCP judge.
Brewers are allowed multiple entries in any subcategory, provided they are different beers, meads, or ciders. If in doubt, contact the competition organizer.
The competition committee reserves the right to combine categories based on the number of entries. All possible efforts will be made to combine similar styles. All brews in combined categories will be judged according to the style they were originally entered in.
The Best of Show judging will be determined by a Best of Show panel based on a second judging of the top winners.
Professional Scale-Ups
Your beer will be evaluated by the brewery, and they will select the winner. You will not receive BJCP scoresheets for any scale-up entries.
Scale-up entries will not count against the per-brewer limit or to the overall entry limit. If you would like to add a scale-up entry and you are at the current entrant limit or we are at the overall limit, here are the steps:
- Pay your $13 entry fee via PayPal and include a note that this is for a KCBM scale-up entry
- Send an email to kcbmcomp@gmail.com (or use the contact form) with the specific category
- We will confirm your payment and add your entry manually
Entrants must be willing to travel to Kansas City for their brew day in the event they win a scale-up at a brewery.
Please specify the style and any special ingredients in the required info section of your entry.
Include your recipe when you drop off or ship your beer to us. Your recipe should be printed on a full sheet of paper. It needs to include your entry number clearly at the top and should not contain any personally identifiable information.
KC Bier Co (Custom Style 50A) - This scale-up is for a German Ale or Lager (no sours). Also, please keep in mind that KC Bier Co brews with all German ingredients and follows Reinheitsgebot on virtually all of their beers.
Transport Brewery (Custom Style 51A) - This scale-up is for an American Pale Ale (18B).
Discourse Brewing (Custom Style 54A) - This scale-up is for a Double IPA (22A) or a West Coast Style Pilsner (34B).
Strange Days Brewing Co (Custom Style 55A) - This scale-up is for an American Wheat (1D), Weissbier (10A), Dunkles Weissbier (10B), Belgian Wit (24A), Saison (25B), Fruited Wheat Beer (29A), or something using Philly Sour (23A, 23G, 28B, etc.).
Special Categories
KCBM43 Saturday Night Pints (Custom Style 62A) - This is explicitly a special category for any beer, cider, or mead that invokes the thoughts of New York City food and drink. Think of a Manhattan, Brooklyn Pizza, or even a Bagel or Pastrami on Rye from a world-renowned Deli. Rough base style should be declared if possible but the possibilities are endless, Fuggetaboutit!
Overall Impression: Varies, but should be a unique experience.
Aroma: Varies by base style. The NYC character(s) should be noticeable in the aroma; however, some have stronger aromas and are more distinctive than others (like the Bodega in Soho) – allow for a range of NYC character and intensity from subtle to aggressive. Hop aroma may be lower than in the base style to better show the NYC character. The NYCs should add an extra complexity, but not be so prominent as to unbalance the resulting presentation.
Appearance: Varies by base style and special ingredients. Lighter-colored beer may show distinctive ingredient colors, including in the head. Variable clarity, although haze is generally undesirable. Some ingredients may impact head retention.
Flavor: Varies by base style. As with aroma, distinctive flavors should be noticeable, and may range in intensity from subtle to aggressive. Some NYCs are inherently bitter (beers and people apply here) and may result in a beer more bitter than the declared base style. Bitterness, hop and malt flavors, alcohol content, and fermentation byproducts, such as esters, should be appropriate for the base style, but be harmonious and balanced with the distinctive flavors present.
Mouthfeel: Varies by style. Some ingredients may increase or decrease body and a “raw” spice character is undesirable (that pizza dough needs to be cooked yo).
Comments: This style cannot represent a well-known commercial beer
Entry Instructions: The entrant must specify the special nature of the experimental beer.
Vital Statistics: OG, FG, IBUs, SRM, and ABV will vary depending on the declared beer.
Commercial Examples: None
Tags: specialty-beer
Special category entries will not count against the per-brewer limit. If you would like to add a special category entry and you are at the current entrant limit, here are the steps:
- Pay your $13 entry fee via PayPal and include a note that this is for a KCBM special entry
- Send an email to kcbmcomp@gmail.com (or use the contact form) with the specific category
- We will confirm your payment and add your entry manually
Best Beer Name Contest
The KCBM Team is proud to announce that we have been selected to be the pilot test competition for the newly released BNJP Guidelines (Beer Name Judging Program). We are thrilled that the BNJP selected us for this prestigious honor and we look forward to seeing your Best Beer Names.
How do I enter?
All entrants will be eligible for this contest with no additional cost or effort. Just add your beer name in the online entry
What are the judging criteria?
Per the BNJP (2024) guidelines, entries will be judged on the following:
- Beer name only (our BNJP-certified judges will not see any other info)
- Comedic and/or socially redeeming value
- Brevity: be clear and concise (and don’t blow up BCOE&M with a dissertation)
- Keep it clean, your parents may be watching the livestream
- Bonus points for alignment with KCBM 43 theme: “Saturday Night Pints”
- Other criteria may be added based on the sheer whimsy (and ABV) of the judges
Prizes
A stunning trophy and generous prize package …not to mention global recognition for your beer naming literary prowess.
Giving Back to the Community
Each year, the Kansas City Bier Meisters like to give back to the community. This year, a portion of the competition proceeds will be donated to the Harvesters Community Food Network.
KCBM will donate all professional scale-up entry fees ($13 per entry) and $5 for each banquet ticket sold.
Harvesters provide food and related household products to more than 760 nonprofit agencies, including emergency food pantries, community kitchens, homeless shelters, children’s homes, and others. We also offer education programs to increase community awareness of hunger and teach about good nutrition.
Entry Acceptance Rules
Each entrant is limited to 6 PAID entries for the first four weeks that registration is open.
If we don't have 750 PAID entries in four weeks, we will increase the entrant limit to 8 PAID entries.
If we don't have 750 PAID entries in six weeks, we will increase the entrant limit to 10 PAID entries.
Normal Entry Acceptance Rules
Each entry will consist of 12-ounce capped bottles or corked bottles that are void of all identifying information, including labels and embossing. Printed caps are allowed but must be blacked out completely.
Entries will consist of 2 bottles. Entries with only 1 bottle will not be eligible for Best of Show.
12oz brown glass bottles are preferred. However, green and clear glass will be accepted. Swing-top bottles will likewise be accepted as well as corked bottles, as long as they fit in the sorting boxes. Cans are accepted as well.
The key attribute is they must fit in a standard 12-ounce long neck case box.
Bottles will not be returned to contest entrants.
Entry labels should be attached to bottles with a rubber band only. Glue and/or tape are unacceptable.
Please fill out the entry forms completely. Be meticulous about noting any special ingredients that must be specified. Failure to note such ingredients may impact the judges' scoring of your entry.
Professional Scale-Ups
Your beer will be evaluated by the brewery, and they will select the winner. You will not receive BJCP scoresheets for any scale-up entries
Special Categories
Only a single bottle is required for this entry. The winner of this category will not participate in Best of Show.
Entry Info
Entry Limits
- Entry Limit – Paid:
- 800
Entry Limits by Medal Category
| Medal Category | BJCP 2021 / 2025 Styles | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| American Light Lagers |
| 15 |
| Czech Lagers |
| 23 |
| Dark Lager |
| 20 |
| Other Lagers |
| 20 |
| Standard Lawnmower Beers |
| 15 |
Entry Limits Per Participant
| Limit | Enforced Until |
|---|---|
| 6 Entries | Monday, December 29, 2025 7:00 PM, CST |
| 8 Entries | Monday, January 12, 2026 7:00 PM, CST |
| 10 Entries | Friday, May 1, 2026 9:00 AM, CDT |
Pay Entry Fees
After creating your account and adding your entries to the system, you must pay your entry fee(s). Accepted payment methods are:
- Credit/debit card and e-check, via PayPal
BJCP 2021 / 2025 Styles Accepted
Indicates that the style's entry limit has been reached and no more entries of that style will be accepted.
| 1A American Light Lager | 1B American Lager | 1C Cream Ale |
| 1D American Wheat Beer | 2A International Pale Lager | 2B International Amber Lager |
| 2C International Dark Lager | 3A Czech Pale Lager | 3B Czech Premium Pale Lager |
| 3C Czech Amber Lager | 3D Czech Dark Lager | 4A Munich Helles |
| 4B Festbier | 4C Helles Bock | 5A German Leichtbier |
| 5B Kölsch | 5C German Helles Exportbier | 5D German Pils |
| 6A Märzen | 6B Rauchbier | 6C Dunkels Bock |
| 7A Vienna Lager | 7B Altbier | 8A Munich Dunkel |
| 8B Schwarzbier | 9A Doppelbock | 9B Eisbock |
| 9C Baltic Porter | 10A Weissbier | 10B Dunkels Weissbier |
| 10C Weizenbock | 11A Ordinary Bitter | 11B Best Bitter |
| 11C Strong Bitter | 12A British Golden Ale | 12B Australian Sparkling Ale |
| 12C English IPA | 13A Dark Mild | 13B British Brown Ale |
| 13C English Porter | 14A Scottish Light | 14B Scottish Heavy |
| 14C Scottish Export | 15A Irish Red Ale | 15B Irish Stout |
| 15C Irish Extra Stout | 16A Sweet Stout | 16B Oatmeal Stout |
| 16C Tropical Stout | 16D Foreign Extra Stout | 17A British Strong Ale |
| 17A1 Burton Ale | 17B Old Ale | 17C Wee Heavy |
| 17D English Barley Wine | 18A Blonde Ale | 18B American Pale Ale |
| 19A American Amber Ale | 19B California Common | 19C American Brown Ale |
| 20A American Porter | 20B American Stout | 20C Imperial Stout |
| 21A American IPA | 21B Specialty IPA | 21B1 Belgian IPA |
| 21B2 Black IPA | 21B3 Brown IPA | 21B4 Red IPA |
| 21B5 Rye IPA | 21B6 White IPA | 21B7 Brut IPA |
| 21C Hazy IPA | 22A Double IPA | 22B American Strong Ale |
| 22C American Barleywine | 22D Wheatwine | 23A Berliner Weisse |
| 23B Flanders Red Ale | 23C Oud Bruin | 23D Lambic |
| 23E Gueuze | 23F Fruit Lambic | 23G Gose |
| 24A Witbier | 24B Belgian Pale Ale | 24C Bière de Garde |
| 25A Belgian Blond Ale | 25B Saison | 25C Belgian Golden Strong Ale |
| 26A Belgian Single | 26B Belgian Dubbel | 26C Belgian Tripel |
| 26D Belgian Dark Strong Ale | 27A Historical Beer | 27A1 Kellerbier |
| 27A2 Kentucky Common | 27A3 Lichtenhainer | 27A4 London Brown Ale |
| 27A5 Piwo Grodziskie | 27A6 Pre-Prohibition Lager | 27A7 Pre-Prohibition Porter |
| 27A8 Roggenbier | 27A9 Sahti | 28A Brett Beer |
| 28B Mixed Fermentation Sour Beer | 28C Wild Specialty Beer | 28D Straight Sour Beer |
| 29A Fruit Beer | 29B Fruit and Spice Beer | 29C Specialty Fruit Beer |
| 29D Grape Ale | 30A Spice, Herb, or Vegetable Beer | 30B Autumn Seasonal Beer |
| 30C Winter Seasonal Beer | 30D Specialty Spice Beer | 31A Alternative Grain Beer |
| 31B Alternative Sugar Beer | 32A Classic Style Smoked Beer | 32B Specialty Smoked Beer |
| 33A Wood-Aged Beer | 33B Specialty Wood-Aged Beer | 34A Commercial Specialty Beer |
| 34B Mixed-Style Beer | 34C Experimental Beer | 50A KC Bier Co Scale-Up (Custom Style) |
| 51A Transport Brewery Scale-Up (Custom Style) | 54A Discourse Brewing Scale Up (Custom Style) | 55A Strange Days Brewing Co Scale Up (Custom Style) |
| LSX1 Dorada Pampeana | LSX2 IPA Argenta | LSX3 Italian Grape Ale |
| LSX4 Catharina Sour | LSX5 New Zealand Pilsner | 62A KCBM43 Saturday Night Pints (Custom Style) |
| C1A Common Cider | C1B Heirloom Cider | C1C English Cider |
| C1D French Cider | C1E Spanish Cider | C2A New England Cider |
| C2B Applewine | C2C Ice Cider | C2D Fire Cider |
| C3A Fruit Cider | C3B Spiced Cider | C3C Experimental Cider |
| C4A Common Perry | C4B Heirloom Perry | C4C Ice Perry |
| C4D Experimental Perry | M1A Dry Mead | M1B Semi-Sweet Mead |
| M1C Sweet Mead | M2A Cyser | M2B Pyment |
| M2C Berry Mead | M2D Stone Fruit Mead | M2E Melomel |
| M3A Fruit and Spice Mead | M3B Spice, Herb, or Vegetable Mead | M4A Braggot |
| M4B Historical Mead | M4C Experimental Mead |
Entry Delivery
Entry bottles accepted at our drop-off locations Friday, January 16, 2026 12:00 PM, CST — Friday, May 1, 2026 9:00 AM, CDT.
Please pay attention to the notes provided for each drop-off location. There could be earlier deadlines for some drop-off locations listed, particular hours when entries are accepted, certain individuals to leave your entries with, etc. All entrants are responsible for reading the information provided by the organizers for each drop-off location.
310 W 79th St Kansas City, MO 64114
(816) 214-8691
Shipping Info
Entry bottles accepted at our shipping location Sunday, March 1, 2026 9:06 AM, CST — Saturday, April 11, 2026 9:06 AM, CDT.
Ship entries to:
KC BIER CO - Attn: KCBM 42
310 West 79 Street, Kansas City, MO 64114
Packing and Shipping
Carefully pack your entries in a sturdy box. Line the inside of your carton with a plastic trash bag. Partition and pack each bottle with adequate packaging material.
Write clearly: Fragile. This Side Up. on the package.
Enclose each of your bottle labels in a small zip-top bag before attaching them to their respective bottles. This way it makes it possible for the organizer to identify specifically which entry has broken if there is damage during shipment.
Every reasonable effort will be made to contact entrants whose bottles have broken to make arrangements for sending replacement bottles.
Judging Sessions
Pre-Judging Remote
Sunday, May 10, 2026 6:00 PM, CDT
Scale-Up Judging @ Breweries
Saturday, May 16, 2026 12:00 PM, CDT through Thursday, May 21, 2026 12:00 PM, CDT
Entries Delivered to Breweries
Monday
Saturday, May 16, 2026 7:00 PM, CDT
Tuesday
Sunday, May 17, 2026 7:00 PM, CDT
Friday Early
Wednesday, May 20, 2026 3:00 PM, CDT
Friday Late
Wednesday, May 20, 2026 6:30 PM, CDT
Best of Show
There will be awards for the Best of Show Beer, as well as separate Best of Show for both Mead and Cider.
The Rager Cup - the winningest brewer across the entire competition. Points will be awarded as follows:
Gold: 5 pts
Silver: 3 pts
Bronze: 1pt
Ties in the Rager Cup will be decided in the following manner: most golds, most silvers, most bronzes. If all is still tied after all of that - we will go to feats of strength.
Awards
The awards ceremony will take place once judging is completed.
Places will be awarded to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each category/table.
The 1st place entry in each category will advance to the Best of Show (BOS) round with a single, overall Best of Show beer selected.
Additional prizes may be awarded to those winners present at the awards ceremony at the discretion of the competition organizers.
Score sheets will be available for download that night after the ceremony concludes. Medals and major awards not picked up at the awards ceremony will be mailed within a week. Results will be posted to the competition web site after the ceremony concludes.
Awards Ceremony
Christ the King Church
8510 Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO 64114
Saturday, May 23, 2026 8:00 PM, CDT
Volunteers
Judges and Stewards
If you have registered, log in and then choose Edit Account from the My Account menu indicated by the icon on the top menu.
If you have not registered and are willing to be a judge or steward, please register.
Staff
If you would like to volunteer to be a competition staff member, please register or update your account to indicate that you wish to be a part of the competition staff.
Staff can indicate their availability for the following non-judging sessions:
- Entry Sorting – Friday, May 1, 2026 9:00 AM, CDT
Other Volunteer Info
General Info
The remote and live judging locations will be provided to judges when the judging assignments are made. This information will include the location's address.
Location
KC Bier Co
310 West 79th Street
Kansas City, MO 64114
Sponsors
Contact
Use the form below to contact a competition official. All fields with a star are required.