One event that is going well and should actually be a draw for the Rochester area (Maggie Brooks finally jumped on the bandwagon), the Roc City Ribfest, has been proclaimed a state championship by NYS Governor David Paterson.

Roc City organizers announced that due to size, 21 teams have enrolled so far, and the proclamation that the Ribfest will be one of seven NYS championships.

The championship status rounds out a rather long list for the second year event which is Kansas City BBQ Society sanctioned. Roc City also qualifies for Team of the Year points in the New England BBQ Society and the winner will receive free entry into the Boston Hills BBQ Festival the weekend of June 26.

Beer infused ice cream is nothing new.  If you Google a recipe you will find a number of recipes for Guinness ice cream.

I guarantee you will like my version better.

I start with an 1888 Bock from the Leinenkugel’s brewery in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin.  Of course you can use another dark beer with a similar flavor profile.

For a 1 1/2 to 2 quart recipe simmer 8-10 oz. of your beer in a small sauce pan until reduced by at least 50%.

Set the beer aside to cool.

From here on out it is basically Alton Brown’s vanilla ice cream recipe with a few additions.

I use fresh vanilla beans rather than extract, both methods work equally well.  Of course, I also make my own vanilla.  Another post I guess.

When you are beginning the custard base add 1-2 tbls. of dark cocoa powder via mesh strainer of some sort.

Of course, the beer is added to the custard base at any point in the recipe.  I recommend adding before the egg yolks and sugar.

Additionally, crushed malted milk balls are added 5-10 minutes before the ice cream is done churning.

I highly urge you to use the 1888 Bock, if you cannot find it ask your local distributor.

There is a large section of BBQ America that will look to purchase an offset smoker unit for the upcoming season.

Those looking to spend under $500, or even under $1000, are rather limited to what can be found at retail outlets like Lowe’s, Wal-Mart and Bass Pro Shops.

One of the nicer and well-reviewed units in this category had been the Bar-B-Chef by BBQs Galore.  The Bar-B-Chef was made from a steel nearly twice as thick as the standard retail unit and was upgraded with some of the modifications often made to offset smokers like the Char-Griller Smokin Pro.

While still listed on the BBQs Galore website the Bar-B-Chef is no longer offered.  The company is reporting few details about future smoker offerings.  However, it appears BBQs Galore will be carrying a Kingsford brand smoker.  No word on any specs or price point.

As one model leaves the category another appears to have entered.  The Lowe’s 2009 Grill guide lists a Royals Oaks smoker with roughly 740 sq. in. of cooking space.

The Royals Oaks is nothing more than a slightly smaller version of the Oklahoma Joe Longhorn.  This should mean we can expect a heavier gauge steel on this unit.

Unfortunately, the model is currently unavailable at stores and has yet to even hit the distribution centers.

The 2009 Roc City Ribfest has been scheduled though, as of yet, I believe without a location.

A single day and single category event last year, the ’09 version is a fully sanctioned KCBS event with ribs, pork shoulders, brisket and chicken.

The two beers receiving medals were the Cascazilla and the Excelsior Brute.  The Cascazilla is a personal fave and is highly recommended for those who enjoy hoppy ales and the 7% alcohol content makes for a toasty sixer.

I have frequently mentioned that my favorite brewery crafting my favorite beer is the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewery of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin.  Unfortunately, only recently have some of the more novelty Leine’s lines made headway into my neck of the woods here in Upstate NY.

While the summer offering of the Leine’s “Adventure Pack” was appreciated there is only so much Honeyweiss, Berryweiss, Summer Shandy and Sunset Wheat that one can drink.  I am still reeling from the uneccesarily forward citrus undertones of the Sunset.

My longing for something with a bit more body has been satiated with the arrival of Leine’s Oktoberfest in our area.

Hey, remember that Black Russian bagel from Wegman’s you scarfed down a couple of days ago?  The Weg-Man wants it back.

Wegman’s today recalled bagels and bialys (ask me in the comments if you don’t know) purchased from the bakery between August 24 and September 9.  Said baked goods may contain pieces of metal.

So that’s what that was …

Having never competed in one before my first BBQ competition was a humbling experience. Fortunately it was a learning experience from which I have emerged more confident.

The scores for both the Competitor and Vendor categories are up on the Roc City Rib Fest website.

What did I learn? I learned I need to invest in an actual smoker. While my barrel method is well suited for a lazy afternoon of drinking in the backyard it does not lend itself well to a timed competition.

My compatriot from Big Man BBQ and I set unloaded my barrel and his standard retail offset smoker on Friday evening before the competition. As we pulled in Saturday morning I realized how over matched I was as gazed at two large Lang smokers.

First and third place went to the two operators of these devices. Second place went to Swine Syndicate who cooked with a Weber Smoky Mountain.

This was also the Big Man’s first competition and, having not invested $4,000 in a smoker, finished only three points out of the money and fifteen points from first.

I would like to point out that I taught Professor Leadbelly of Big Man BBQ at least half of what he knows.

There are plenty of photos at the Roc City website and I will add some to the Flickr bar at the right of the page.

Next year I seek vengeance and redemption of my good BBQ name. Like Obi Wan I have only become more powerful than you can imagine.

There are also stirrings of a Roc City Rib Fest affiliated Chili cook-off in the works, stay tuned for news.

Sorry the good Dr. had to step out for so long NY but I have returned to lead you on your culinary misadventures.

Today’s post serves as an invitation to join me at the Roc City Rib Fest this Saturday.  The event will be marked by two seperate rib competitions.

In the spirit of the blog I am gearing up for the Open Competition category as Hair of the Hog BBQ.  My friend, Professor Leadbelly from Big Man BBQ, will also be joining in the fun.

As if a day filled with pork ribs and smoke were not enough Custom Brewcrafters, my favorite local brewery as readers will note, will be on-hand with tent and samples. 

Feel free to find the Hair of the Hog tent and stop by for a chat and a mint julip (I’m just kidding … but not really).  I will also have a sign-up sheet available for those who would like to join me as fledgling members in the founding of the Western NY BBQ Society.

Tomorrow I will be implementing the 50-gallon drum method given the immovable nature of my usual pit.  Look for the barrels and you will find me, I will also be flying the Swedish flag. 

If you cannot join us Saturday be sure to check back here Sunday for photos and results.

I mention this because my favorite brewery, Leinenkugel’s, has an entry among the field of 32 in the Specialty bracket. Leine’s Sunset Wheat was up against Magic Hat out of Vermont and its Circus Boy brew. Leine’s won the first round by 80/20 vote.

Of course I cast my vote for the Leine’s in the first round but the second round presents me with somewhat of a dilemma. The opponent in this case is Brewery Ommegang out of Cooperstown, NY and its Hennepin ale.

Ironically, my top three craft breweries are: Leinenkugel’s, Victory and Ommegang. Additionally, in this case, I prefer the Hennepin to the Sunset Wheat.

Thus, my vote will likely be self-serving given the ample availability of Ommegang in this area. As of yet the only Leine’s I have been able to come across has been the Sunset Wheat and the Honeyweis. While both are enjoyable neither is steadily available and much better lines are available.

In a hope to bring Leine’s east it gets my vote in the Sweet 16.

Across the rest of the bracket -

The Juniper Pale Ale from Rogue Ales in Orgeon gets my vote over the Rasberry Wheat from Clipper City Brewing out of Baltimore. The juniper taste from Rogue is similar to the flavors you would find in gin while the Rasberry Wheat will have you puking Chiclets the next morning.

Two porters go head-to-head in the next matchup as Sam Adams takes his Honey version against the Turbodog from Abita Brewing in Louisiana. Porter is perfect already, why add honey Mr. Adams?

I have never add either of the two beers in the next matchup yet the choice is easy. The owner of Hook & Ladder brewing donates a portion of profits to aiding burn victims.

Over to the Lager bracket where defending Beer Madness champ Brooklyn Brewery takes on another personal favorite: Flying Dog Old Scratch out of Colorado. Going with Old Scratch as I find the Brooklyn to be almost muddy for my taste.

The Pilsner from from Penn Brewing in Pittsburgh in next but loses my vote to the Poe-inspired Raven Lager from Baltimore-Washington Beerworks.

I give the nod to the Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA simply because I have never had the challenging Stone’s Pale Ale from California.

In the first round Harpoon’s IPA from Beantown beat a local favorite, Saranac, and its version of the pale.

So head over to Beer Madness, vote for your favorite and see how it matches up against the choices of the Post’s panelists.