After making my efforts public, many friends have expressed an interest in participating. With multiple participants, I needed to draft some rules so there are no misunderstandings after 365 days of friendly competition. I ran my first draft past my old pal Chris W. for some fine tuning, and made a few minor tweaks, but the rules below summarize the intent and guidelines of Beering.
I will be documenting every beer in 2014 on this blog, so other participants will have an unfair advantage by knowing what my count is throughout the year. Based on the daily consumption of some of my Untappd friends, it's more likely than not that I will not come in first place. No matter. I'm sure going to enjoy trying. *hic*
THE BIG YEAR IN BEER - Rules for Beering in 2014
*Mandate #1: Watch the film THE BIG YEAR. This movie is the basis for this competition. I just substituted beer in place of birds.
*Mandate #2: It is hereby acknowledged that Dave Witte will always win The Big Year In Beer, and therefore is given a "pass" on participating, so the rest of us have a chance to win (and by "win" I really mean "come in 2nd"). Dave Witte is recognized officially and eternally as Master Of All Beer In The Space-Time Continuum.
*Mandate #3: ENJOY what you are tasting. This friendly, rewardless competition means even less if you're not fully enjoying each taste. Focus on the journey, not the destination.
THE RULES:
*The purpose of THE BIG YEAR IN BEER is to taste as many different, unique beers as possible within the 365 day calendar year of 2014.
*Sips and samples count. A full bottle or pint is not necessary in order to claim any beer towards your Big Year. As long as you truly taste (and enjoy!) the beer, you may claim it.
*Photos are not necessary. They're usually boring. And The Big Year is based on the honor system anyway.
*There are no geographical boundaries applicable in one's pursuit of The Big Year.
*Multiples of the same beer do not count towards your yearly total. Only your first tasting counts.
*Variations of the same beer do count as unique beers, and can be tallied in your yearly total. If the same beer brewed in two separate countries is clearly unique, it is counted as two separate beers (Note: This may be challenged and debated by participants on a case by case basis, and is subject to majority rule). Stone Russian Imperial Stout, and Stone Russian Imperial Stout With Chipotle Peppers count as two separate beers. Bud and Bud Light are two separate beers. Guinness brewed in the UK and Guinness brewed in the US are two separate beers.
*Variations referenced above must be officially brewed and released by the noted brewery. For instance, you may not add your own spices to a beer you purchased and count it towards your Big Year tally as a unique beer.
*No cider, no mead, no miscellaneous non-beer may be considered.
*No root beer.
*Barleywine is considered beer, and may be included.
*Homebrews may be included in your Big Year, however, you must specify the first and last name of the brewer, where they brewed the beer (at least city and state), the style of the beer, and the name (if any).
*Big Year participants may be open, secretive, or misleading, according to their preference, throughout the duration of The Big Year. However, all participants are required to submit 100% factual & truthful information at the conclusion of The Big Year.
*Within 10 days after the completion of The Big Year, all participants must submit a complete, itemized list of all beers consumed during that same Big Year. Lists must include the name and brewer of each beer. All beers must be numerically itemized, in sequential order of consumption. If applicable, the 500th and/or 1,000th beers consumed must be accompanied by dates of consumption; if dates are not provided, that participant shall not be eligible for recognition in those respective categories. All lists will be supplied to a neutral party for review. Chris Dodge will advise with contact details for The Reviewer at the end of the year. The Reviewer will determine the winners and announce the results. All Participants' lists may be made available for review at the conclusion of our Big Year.
*Recognition shall be granted to winning Big Year participants in the following categories:
1. Highest number of unique beers consumed.
2. First participant to reach Beer #500 (if date is provided).
3. First participant to reach Beer #1,000 (if date is provided).
4. Special recognition may be awarded to an individual with a particularly unique accomplishment or item on their list (subjective, based upon Reviewer's opinion). For example, Brewdog Ale served in a dead squirrel.
*Any Big Year participants known to falsify information about their Big Year will be immediately disqualified from The Big Year In Beer for life.
CHEERS!
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