Bruzze Brewing invites you to participate in our first annual Parking Lot BBQ Battle! This event will be held on Saturday, August 15th from 8AM - 5PM in our parking lot. Lake Oconee’s top chefs (a.k.a. our customers) are welcome to come out and show us your best BBQ. Bring your tents, grills, food of choice to cook, paper plates, utensils, gloves for food prep, thermometer, and a table. You might need some fans! :-)
1. Core Competition Categories
You can choose from the following categories, you can enter more than one.
2. General Competition Rules
Cooking Equipment: Teams must provide their own equipment. Wood, charcoal, or pellet-fired pits are standard. Electric/gas assist is usually allowed for starting fires, but the primary heat source must be wood or charcoal.
The "Meat" Rule: All meat must be raw and inspected by a competition official (the "Meat Inspector") before cooking begins. This prevents teams from pre-cooking or bringing outside products.
All meats must be cooked to safe internal temperatures, 145 degrees.
Sanitation: Teams must adhere to health department standards (e.g., proper handwashing stations, temperature control for raw meats, and wearing gloves) at all times.
Turn-In Times: This is the most critical logistical element. Teams are given a specific window (usually a 10-minute "window") to submit their entries. Late entries are disqualified.
There is no electricity available outside. Water will be made available if needed.
$25 entry fee per team or individual(s) - Pay upon arrival.
3. The Judging Process
We will utilize a blind judging system to ensure anonymity.
The Container: Use standardized, Styrofoam, or plastic hinged containers.
No Markings: The container must not have any marks, foil, or garnish that identifies which team it belongs to.
Appearance & Taste: Judges score based on:
Appearance: Visual appeal, smoke ring, uniformity of slices/pieces.
Taste: Flavor profile, balance of smoke/spice, tenderness.
Texture: Correct "bite" (not mushy, not over-rendered).
4. Master Timeline for Event Day
To keep the day organized, here are the timelines.
7:00 AM Team Check-In and Setup
8:00 AM Cook’s Meeting
9:00 AM Cooking Begins
12:00 PM People’s Choice Tasting Opens
2:00 PM Chicken Turn-In
2:30 PM Wings Turn-In
3:00 PM Ribs Turn-In
3:30 PM Butt Turn-In
4:00 PM People’s Choice Voting Ends
4:30 PM Awards Ceremony
The winner receives a $100 Gift Card from Bruzze and BBQ Trophy!
BBQ tasting tickets are $15. Guests will receive one voting ticket with each beer purchase to vote for their favorite BBQ entry in each category. All proceeds from BBQ tasting ticket sales will benefit Neighbors Helping Neighbors.
