Iowa State BBQ Championship
2024-03-29 – 2024-03-30 · Altoona, IA · 📍 2600 Adventureland Drive · State championship
Reps: CINDY JUHL, TOM JUHL · Prize money: $12,000.00
Grand Champion: Shiggin & Grinnin (701.1316) · 42 teams
Reserve Champion: 🥈 Matty Macks
Entries
47
6 judged meats
Top score
701.1316
Winning margin
0.5372
GC over RC
Field average
672.16
median 674.01
Tightest race
Pork Ribs
2.3200 pts across the top 5
Top-10 cutoff
683.8856
10th place overall
Field spread
73.7828
winner to last place
Prize money
$12,000.00
on the line
Double threats
4
teams with 2+ top-5 calls
How hot was the win?
Top 42%
beats 58% of 1951 Master Series wins in the data
Traveled in
52%
of the 89 teams with a home region came from outside IA
Came back for more
50%
39 of 78 teams from the previous edition returned
Form held
Strong
ρ = -0.65 between pre-contest rating and finish
Field strength
1558
avg power rating going in · stronger than 64% of contests
Storylines
🪒 A razor-thin finish
The Grand Championship was decided by 0.5372 points — closer than 92% of every championship in the data.
🧳 Out-of-towners took the title
SHIGGIN & GRINNIN took the Grand Championship home to WI.
🧹 A double category winner
Matty Macks won Pork Ribs, Brisket — a double.
📸 Photo finishes
Master Series — Chicken places 8–9: MEAT RUSHMORE BBQ and Sugar Shack tied on 173.7028 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker. Master Series — Pork Ribs places 9–10: SMOKEY D'S WANNABEES and RENDERED tied on 173.1544 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker. Master Series — Pork places 3–4: BLUE ISLAND BBQ CO. and HOME FARM BBQ tied on 174.8572 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker.
🛡️ Back to defend
Past winners of this contest cooked this edition: Gothic Town Grillers (won 2023).
Score curves (score by finishing position — steep cliffs mean a spread field, flat lines a knife fight)
Category showdown (top / average / median score per meat)
Score distribution
Biggest rating movers (power-rating points won and lost at this contest)
Did form hold? (pre-contest rating vs overall finish — ratings called it if the dots climb to the right)
Where the field came from (home regions on file)
This contest over the years full contest page →
| Date | Where | Venue | Teams | High score | Grand Champion | Reserve Champion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-06-21 | Marshalltown, IA | 28 | 693.7142 | BIG T'Z Q CRU | IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ | |
| 2022-04-01 | Altoona, IA | 2600 Adventureland Drive | 48 | 689.6800 | Porkrastinators | Ash Kickin' BBQ |
| 2022-04-01 | Altoona, IA | 2600 Adventureland Drive | 27 | 349.1200 | Damn Fine Beef and Swine | — |
| 2022-04-01 | Altoona, IA | 2600 Adventureland Drive | — | — | — | — |
| 2023-03-31 | Altoona, IA | 2600 Adventureland Drive | 47 | 699.4288 | Gothic Town Grillers | Fergolicious BBQ |
| 2024-03-29 ← this one | Altoona, IA | 2600 Adventureland Drive | 42 | 701.1316 | Shiggin & Grinnin | Matty Macks |
| 2025-04-04 | Altoona, IA | 2600 Adventureland Drive | 49 | 693.6460 | Rack Shack BBQ | Low Eye Que |
| 2026-04-03 | Altoona, IA | 2600 Adventureland Drive | 42 | 709.7028 | Wag's Backwoods BBQ | Sugar Shack |
What a call cost (the score it took to finish 1st, 5th and 10th)
| Category | 1st | 5th | 10th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master Series — Chicken | 180.0000 | 175.4400 | 173.1428 |
| Master Series — Pork Ribs | 177.7372 | 175.4172 | 173.1544 |
| Master Series — Pork | 179.4400 | 174.2972 | 173.7028 |
| Master Series — Brisket | 179.4400 | 172.0228 | 171.4172 |
| Backyard Series — Chicken | 177.7144 | 174.8572 | 171.9772 |
| Backyard Series — Pork Ribs | 177.7144 | 173.1200 | 170.8456 |
Official results on kcbs.us ↗
Master Series
Overall
42 entries · top 701.1316 · median 674.0058
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | SHIGGIN & GRINNIN | |
| 2 | Matty Macks | |
| 3 | HOT DADDY'S BBQ | |
| 4 | WAG'S BACKWOODS BBQ | |
| 5 | Brisket Butts | |
| 6 | Son of a Boar BBQ | |
| 7 | T Daddys BBQ | |
| 8 | Ash Kickin' BBQ | |
| 9 | HOME FARM BBQ | |
| 10 | MAN MEAT BBQ | |
| 11 | GOTHIC TOWN GRILLERS | |
| 12 | Luscious Loins | |
| 13 | Darty-Q | |
| 14 | Can Country Outlaw BBQ | |
| 15 | IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ | |
| 16 | SMOKEY D'S WANNABEES | |
| 17 | TEAM CRAWFORD | |
| 18 | 2 CASE BBQ | |
| 19 | UGLY BABY BBQ | |
| 20 | AWESOME RACKS COOKIN CREW | |
| 21 | MEAT RUSHMORE BBQ | |
| 22 | Slightly Sauced | |
| 23 | RENDERED | |
| 24 | NECTAR OF THE HOGS | |
| 25 | SMACKIN' BUTTS BBQ, NE | |
| 26 | T-Rex BBQ | |
| 27 | Smokin Suckers | |
| 28 | PORK COUNTY BARBECUE | |
| 29 | SMOKEHOUSE 72 | |
| 30 | Uncle Stabby's BBQ | |
| 31 | PARROTHEAD SMOKERS | |
| 32 | Chillin N Grillin N Iowa BBQ | |
| 33 | Sugar Shack | |
| 34 | Givey's Que | |
| 35 | Team No Clue BBQ | |
| 36 | BLUE ISLAND BBQ CO. | |
| 37 | SECOND HAND SMOKE - IA | |
| 38 | 225 MAFIA | |
| 39 | Bobalicious | |
| 40 | Bucknutz BBQ | |
| 41 | Grilluminati | |
| 42 | The Smoking Silverback |
Chicken
42 entries · top 180.0000 · median 171.1314 · 🔥 perfect 180
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Son of a Boar BBQ | |
| 2 | WAG'S BACKWOODS BBQ | |
| 3 | Luscious Loins | |
| 4 | SHIGGIN & GRINNIN | |
| 5 | BLUE ISLAND BBQ CO. | |
| 6 | Uncle Stabby's BBQ | |
| 7 | Bobalicious | |
| 8 | MEAT RUSHMORE BBQ | |
| 9 | Sugar Shack | |
| 10 | HOT DADDY'S BBQ | |
| 11 | PARROTHEAD SMOKERS | |
| 12 | Chillin N Grillin N Iowa BBQ | |
| 13 | MAN MEAT BBQ | |
| 14 | UGLY BABY BBQ | |
| 15 | GOTHIC TOWN GRILLERS | |
| 16 | Darty-Q | |
| 17 | Matty Macks | |
| 18 | Brisket Butts | |
| 19 | TEAM CRAWFORD | |
| 20 | PORK COUNTY BARBECUE | |
| 21 | Ash Kickin' BBQ | |
| 22 | 2 CASE BBQ | |
| 23 | SMOKEY D'S WANNABEES | |
| 24 | T Daddys BBQ | |
| 25 | Grilluminati | |
| 26 | Slightly Sauced | |
| 27 | Givey's Que | |
| 28 | Team No Clue BBQ | |
| 29 | NECTAR OF THE HOGS | |
| 30 | Can Country Outlaw BBQ | |
| 31 | HOME FARM BBQ | |
| 32 | Smokin Suckers | |
| 33 | SMOKEHOUSE 72 | |
| 34 | SECOND HAND SMOKE - IA | |
| 35 | IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ | |
| 36 | Bucknutz BBQ | |
| 37 | T-Rex BBQ | |
| 38 | SMACKIN' BUTTS BBQ, NE | |
| 39 | 225 MAFIA | |
| 40 | The Smoking Silverback | |
| 41 | AWESOME RACKS COOKIN CREW | |
| 42 | RENDERED |
Pork Ribs
42 entries · top 177.7372 · median 166.2802
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matty Macks | |
| 2 | HOT DADDY'S BBQ | |
| 3 | MAN MEAT BBQ | |
| 4 | T Daddys BBQ | |
| 5 | Givey's Que | |
| 6 | WAG'S BACKWOODS BBQ | |
| 7 | SHIGGIN & GRINNIN | |
| 8 | Luscious Loins | |
| 9 | SMOKEY D'S WANNABEES | |
| 10 | RENDERED | |
| 11 | Can Country Outlaw BBQ | |
| 12 | IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ | |
| 13 | HOME FARM BBQ | |
| 14 | AWESOME RACKS COOKIN CREW | |
| 15 | Darty-Q | |
| 16 | Brisket Butts | |
| 17 | GOTHIC TOWN GRILLERS | |
| 18 | 225 MAFIA | |
| 19 | PARROTHEAD SMOKERS | |
| 20 | Son of a Boar BBQ | |
| 21 | SECOND HAND SMOKE - IA | |
| 22 | Slightly Sauced | |
| 23 | Smokin Suckers | |
| 24 | 2 CASE BBQ | |
| 25 | Sugar Shack | |
| 26 | SMOKEHOUSE 72 | |
| 27 | Ash Kickin' BBQ | |
| 28 | Uncle Stabby's BBQ | |
| 29 | Bucknutz BBQ | |
| 30 | Chillin N Grillin N Iowa BBQ | |
| 31 | SMACKIN' BUTTS BBQ, NE | |
| 32 | TEAM CRAWFORD | |
| 33 | UGLY BABY BBQ | |
| 34 | T-Rex BBQ | |
| 35 | Team No Clue BBQ | |
| 36 | NECTAR OF THE HOGS | |
| 37 | Grilluminati | |
| 38 | MEAT RUSHMORE BBQ | |
| 39 | Bobalicious | |
| 40 | BLUE ISLAND BBQ CO. | |
| 41 | The Smoking Silverback | |
| 42 | PORK COUNTY BARBECUE |
Pork
42 entries · top 179.4400 · median 171.1142
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | SHIGGIN & GRINNIN | |
| 2 | NECTAR OF THE HOGS | |
| 3 | BLUE ISLAND BBQ CO. | |
| 4 | HOME FARM BBQ | |
| 5 | RENDERED | |
| 6 | AWESOME RACKS COOKIN CREW | |
| 7 | T-Rex BBQ | |
| 8 | Brisket Butts | |
| 9 | PORK COUNTY BARBECUE | |
| 10 | Son of a Boar BBQ | |
| 11 | 2 CASE BBQ | |
| 12 | The Smoking Silverback | |
| 13 | T Daddys BBQ | |
| 14 | MEAT RUSHMORE BBQ | |
| 15 | TEAM CRAWFORD | |
| 16 | SECOND HAND SMOKE - IA | |
| 17 | MAN MEAT BBQ | |
| 18 | GOTHIC TOWN GRILLERS | |
| 19 | Slightly Sauced | |
| 20 | Matty Macks | |
| 21 | WAG'S BACKWOODS BBQ | |
| 22 | IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ | |
| 23 | SMACKIN' BUTTS BBQ, NE | |
| 24 | Ash Kickin' BBQ | |
| 25 | UGLY BABY BBQ | |
| 26 | HOT DADDY'S BBQ | |
| 27 | Darty-Q | |
| 28 | Team No Clue BBQ | |
| 29 | Luscious Loins | |
| 30 | SMOKEY D'S WANNABEES | |
| 31 | Can Country Outlaw BBQ | |
| 32 | Chillin N Grillin N Iowa BBQ | |
| 33 | Sugar Shack | |
| 34 | Bobalicious | |
| 35 | Smokin Suckers | |
| 36 | SMOKEHOUSE 72 | |
| 37 | Bucknutz BBQ | |
| 38 | Uncle Stabby's BBQ | |
| 39 | Givey's Que | |
| 40 | 225 MAFIA | |
| 41 | Grilluminati | |
| 42 | PARROTHEAD SMOKERS |
Brisket
42 entries · top 179.4400 · median 167.4056
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matty Macks | |
| 2 | Ash Kickin' BBQ | |
| 3 | SMACKIN' BUTTS BBQ, NE | |
| 4 | PORK COUNTY BARBECUE | |
| 5 | UGLY BABY BBQ | |
| 6 | Brisket Butts | |
| 7 | TEAM CRAWFORD | |
| 8 | HOT DADDY'S BBQ | |
| 9 | MEAT RUSHMORE BBQ | |
| 10 | AWESOME RACKS COOKIN CREW | |
| 11 | SHIGGIN & GRINNIN | |
| 12 | PARROTHEAD SMOKERS | |
| 13 | SMOKEHOUSE 72 | |
| 14 | HOME FARM BBQ | |
| 15 | T-Rex BBQ | |
| 16 | NECTAR OF THE HOGS | |
| 17 | IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ | |
| 18 | Can Country Outlaw BBQ | |
| 19 | Smokin Suckers | |
| 20 | Team No Clue BBQ | |
| 21 | Darty-Q | |
| 22 | GOTHIC TOWN GRILLERS | |
| 23 | 225 MAFIA | |
| 24 | RENDERED | |
| 25 | Slightly Sauced | |
| 26 | 2 CASE BBQ | |
| 27 | Uncle Stabby's BBQ | |
| 28 | SMOKEY D'S WANNABEES | |
| 29 | Son of a Boar BBQ | |
| 30 | T Daddys BBQ | |
| 31 | WAG'S BACKWOODS BBQ | |
| 32 | Chillin N Grillin N Iowa BBQ | |
| 33 | MAN MEAT BBQ | |
| 34 | Sugar Shack | |
| 35 | Bobalicious | |
| 36 | BLUE ISLAND BBQ CO. | |
| 37 | Givey's Que | |
| 38 | Luscious Loins | |
| 39 | SECOND HAND SMOKE - IA | |
| 40 | Grilluminati | |
| 41 | Bucknutz BBQ | |
| 42 | The Smoking Silverback |
Backyard Series
Overall
47 entries · top 351.9772 · median 333.6688
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | WEEZ'S GROOVIN' BBQ | |
| 2 | Smoke This Drink That BBQ | |
| 3 | Heavy & Sweaty BBQ | |
| 4 | Stone Cold Grillers | |
| 5 | Big Ten Bones | |
| 6 | Rudes BBQ | |
| 7 | Rack Shack bbq | |
| 8 | Smokey Bey's Barbecue | |
| 9 | Bramble BBQ | |
| 10 | Barefoot BNQ | |
| 11 | T-Dawg BBQ | |
| 12 | The Bearded Bandits | |
| 13 | Sensuous BBQ | |
| 14 | Furlongs Smoke & Seafood | |
| 15 | Big Racks BBQ | |
| 16 | UP FROM THE PITS BBQ | |
| 17 | T.O.'s Unfamous BBQ | |
| 18 | Too Sauced Guys Bar-B-Que | |
| 19 | Shmack Q | |
| 20 | Fluffy Butt BBQ | |
| 21 | Lucky Shoes BBQ | |
| 22 | Wapatui Smokers | |
| 23 | Haley Q | |
| 24 | Backroad BBQ | |
| 25 | BBQ MIKE | |
| 26 | Get Sauced | |
| 27 | All Smoked Up BBQ | |
| 28 | BBQ Pit Bros | |
| 29 | Smoke Sergeant BBQ | |
| 30 | Grill Em All | |
| 31 | Buck-Wild BBQ | |
| 32 | Shamrock BBQ | |
| 33 | DAWGS BBQ | |
| 34 | Mini Butts | |
| 35 | Sugba Smokehouse | |
| 36 | BootsBBQ | |
| 37 | Family Tradition BBQ | |
| 38 | Brotherhood of the Smoke | |
| 39 | RUBY CREEK BBQ | |
| 40 | Popp-QUE | |
| 41 | Chester's Twisted Que | |
| 42 | SmoQued On Main St | |
| 43 | Hawknut's BBQ | |
| 44 | McDonald Family BBQ | |
| 45 | Me So Hungry | |
| 46 | River Rats BBQ | |
| 47 | Papa Otter's Jugband BBQ |
Chicken
47 entries · top 177.7144 · median 167.9656
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Smokey Bey's Barbecue | |
| 2 | Barefoot BNQ | |
| 3 | Big Ten Bones | |
| 4 | Get Sauced | |
| 5 | Stone Cold Grillers | |
| 6 | WEEZ'S GROOVIN' BBQ | |
| 7 | Smoke This Drink That BBQ | |
| 8 | The Bearded Bandits | |
| 9 | Rack Shack bbq | |
| 10 | Backroad BBQ | |
| 11 | Heavy & Sweaty BBQ | |
| 12 | Sensuous BBQ | |
| 13 | All Smoked Up BBQ | |
| 14 | Too Sauced Guys Bar-B-Que | |
| 15 | Bramble BBQ | |
| 16 | Furlongs Smoke & Seafood | |
| 17 | Shamrock BBQ | |
| 18 | Big Racks BBQ | |
| 19 | UP FROM THE PITS BBQ | |
| 20 | Buck-Wild BBQ | |
| 21 | T-Dawg BBQ | |
| 22 | Wapatui Smokers | |
| 23 | Fluffy Butt BBQ | |
| 24 | Rudes BBQ | |
| 25 | BBQ MIKE | |
| 26 | T.O.'s Unfamous BBQ | |
| 27 | Popp-QUE | |
| 28 | Haley Q | |
| 29 | Lucky Shoes BBQ | |
| 30 | DAWGS BBQ | |
| 31 | Smoke Sergeant BBQ | |
| 32 | Shmack Q | |
| 33 | Chester's Twisted Que | |
| 34 | BBQ Pit Bros | |
| 35 | SmoQued On Main St | |
| 36 | Mini Butts | |
| 37 | Brotherhood of the Smoke | |
| 38 | BootsBBQ | |
| 39 | Grill Em All | |
| 40 | RUBY CREEK BBQ | |
| 41 | Hawknut's BBQ | |
| 42 | Family Tradition BBQ | |
| 43 | McDonald Family BBQ | |
| 44 | Sugba Smokehouse | |
| 45 | Me So Hungry | |
| 46 | Papa Otter's Jugband BBQ | |
| 47 | River Rats BBQ |
Pork Ribs
47 entries · top 177.7144 · median 166.2400
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | WEEZ'S GROOVIN' BBQ | |
| 2 | Heavy & Sweaty BBQ | |
| 3 | Smoke This Drink That BBQ | |
| 4 | Rudes BBQ | |
| 5 | Stone Cold Grillers | |
| 6 | T-Dawg BBQ | |
| 7 | Big Ten Bones | |
| 8 | Bramble BBQ | |
| 9 | Shmack Q | |
| 10 | Rack Shack bbq | |
| 11 | Sugba Smokehouse | |
| 12 | Big Racks BBQ | |
| 13 | UP FROM THE PITS BBQ | |
| 14 | T.O.'s Unfamous BBQ | |
| 15 | Furlongs Smoke & Seafood | |
| 16 | The Bearded Bandits | |
| 17 | Lucky Shoes BBQ | |
| 18 | Sensuous BBQ | |
| 19 | BBQ Pit Bros | |
| 20 | Family Tradition BBQ | |
| 21 | Haley Q | |
| 22 | Grill Em All | |
| 23 | Fluffy Butt BBQ | |
| 24 | Smoke Sergeant BBQ | |
| 25 | Too Sauced Guys Bar-B-Que | |
| 26 | Wapatui Smokers | |
| 27 | BBQ MIKE | |
| 28 | Smokey Bey's Barbecue | |
| 29 | Mini Butts | |
| 30 | Barefoot BNQ | |
| 31 | RUBY CREEK BBQ | |
| 32 | BootsBBQ | |
| 33 | DAWGS BBQ | |
| 34 | All Smoked Up BBQ | |
| 35 | Backroad BBQ | |
| 36 | Brotherhood of the Smoke | |
| 37 | Buck-Wild BBQ | |
| 38 | Shamrock BBQ | |
| 39 | Get Sauced | |
| 40 | Chester's Twisted Que | |
| 41 | Popp-QUE | |
| 42 | River Rats BBQ | |
| 43 | Hawknut's BBQ | |
| 44 | SmoQued On Main St | |
| 45 | McDonald Family BBQ | |
| 46 | Me So Hungry | |
| 47 | Papa Otter's Jugband BBQ |