AMES, IA (April 21, 2012) - Thirty teams gathered at the first annual Smoke Over VEISHEA BBQ Competition this this weekend to compete for the Grand Champion.
Today was a rainy, cold day and finding the event location was a challenge. Streets were blocked off for the event parade and cars were scrambling everywhere. Luckily a nice girl on a golf cart brought escorted me right to the exact location. After that, parking was a cinch.
The BBQ Critic judging table had some pretty good turn-ins. Ended up really liking three chickens, two ribs and 1 brisket. It was an average day for pork at our table - nothing really stood out. Brisket is probably one the most difficult of all the meats to judge. Why? A lot of times it is just plain bland. However, that makes it very easy for a really good brisket to stand out in terms of flavor. One turn-in did just that. Nice smokey flavor, moist and passed the pull test nicely.
When all was said and done, Ryan Newstrom's hometown team Big T'z Q Cru won the Grand Champion. TippyCanoe BBQ Crew won the Reserve. Swine Assassins came in 3rd overall. For a complete list of winners, check out KCBS events page. Congrats to all winners and participants. Look forward to seeing this event again next year.
-- BBQ Critic
Check out BBQ Critic's photo gallery and interview with Ryan Newstrom from Big T'z Q Cru below.
Today was a rainy, cold day and finding the event location was a challenge. Streets were blocked off for the event parade and cars were scrambling everywhere. Luckily a nice girl on a golf cart brought escorted me right to the exact location. After that, parking was a cinch.
The BBQ Critic judging table had some pretty good turn-ins. Ended up really liking three chickens, two ribs and 1 brisket. It was an average day for pork at our table - nothing really stood out. Brisket is probably one the most difficult of all the meats to judge. Why? A lot of times it is just plain bland. However, that makes it very easy for a really good brisket to stand out in terms of flavor. One turn-in did just that. Nice smokey flavor, moist and passed the pull test nicely.
When all was said and done, Ryan Newstrom's hometown team Big T'z Q Cru won the Grand Champion. TippyCanoe BBQ Crew won the Reserve. Swine Assassins came in 3rd overall. For a complete list of winners, check out KCBS events page. Congrats to all winners and participants. Look forward to seeing this event again next year.
-- BBQ Critic
Check out BBQ Critic's photo gallery and interview with Ryan Newstrom from Big T'z Q Cru below.
PHOTO GALLERY
VIDEO INTERVIEW
Ryan Newstrom (Big T'z Q Cru)
Ryan Newstrom (Big T'z Q Cru)