American competitions

[esselle]

Miss Piggy and I are planning a trip to America in 2012 to tour real BBQ country for between 3 and 6 weeks. We are toying with the idea of taking part in a few comps whilst we are there. Do we need to join the kcbs in order to compete and where could we hire smokers etc?

[joker smoker]

there are more comps in Texas than anywhere but they don't play KCBS. Check out texasbbqforum.com for more info. you'll get more comps in and less travel and more BBQ joints to check out.. Others may say go to KC and others to Memphis but you know where I'd be heading...to the land of chicken fried steak and Shiner bock

[All Weather Griller]

Mmm Shiner Bock

[esselle]

Now you know I'm a newbie ... What's shiner bock?

[All Weather Griller]

It's a Texan beer, I was graced by one of the teams at the Kansas last year and they were sponsored by them.

http://www.shiner.com/

[Mike_P_in_Tucson]

If you head over to Arizona, there are several comps every year, both KCBS and IBCA sanctioned. You don't have to join anything and there is usually someone around who can lend you a smoker (usually WSM or ProQ).

Check out the AZBarbeque website, register, and browse the forums.


http://www.azbarbeque.com/

[MadCow]

When we did 'the tour' we went round Alabama, Tennesses and Kansas City / Missouri had a great time. You don't have to be a member of KCBS (we were at first but then dropped it), but if you are I'm sure Karen Walker will give you some advice ... she's a great help ... tell her that you cook with the British Team that she met at The Royal last year ... also she's on facebook if you want to touch base before that.

Have fun and when in Alabama be careful of people offering you liquid in Jars .... it's moonshine, it's great and it'll blow your socks off!!!

[esselle]

Thanks for the advice Jackie. Do you have the details of where you went and what competitions you entered?

[British BBQ Society]

check out the Kansas City BBQ Society web site http://www.kcbs.us/ click on events and you will see what takes place each year,

[MadCow]

Toby's right ... that's pretty much the way to do it.