Iowa State BBQ Championship
2026-04-03 – 2026-04-04 · Altoona, IA · 📍 2600 Adventureland Drive · State championship
Reps: CINDY JUHL, TOM JUHL · Prize money: $10,000.00
Grand Champion: Wag's Backwoods BBQ (709.7028) · 42 teams
Reserve Champion: 🥈 Sugar Shack
Entries
42
6 judged meats
Top score
709.7028
Winning margin
12.6056
GC over RC
Field average
676.58
median 677.89
Perfect 180s
4 🔥
Tightest race
Chicken
1.7372 pts across the top 5
Top-10 cutoff
686.2172
10th place overall
Field spread
80.7652
winner to last place
Prize money
$10,000.00
on the line
Double threats
4
teams with 2+ top-5 calls
How hot was the win?
Top 6%
beats 94% of 1951 Master Series wins in the data
Traveled in
50%
of the 78 teams with a home region came from outside IA
Came back for more
53%
45 of 85 teams from the previous edition returned
Form held
Moderate
ρ = -0.54 between pre-contest rating and finish
Field strength
1589
avg power rating going in · stronger than 85% of contests
Storylines
💪 A statement win
The champion won by 12.6056 points — a wider margin than 95% of championships in the data.
🔥 A day of perfect scores
4 perfect 180s were scored at this contest.
🧹 A double category winner
WAG'S BACKWOODS BBQ won Chicken, Pork Ribs — a double, and took the Grand Championship on top of it.
📸 Photo finishes
Master Series — Chicken places 2–3: MACHETE BOYS BBQ and LUCKY 19 SAUCE COMPANY tied on 176.5716 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker. Master Series — Chicken places 4–5: IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ and Luscious Loins BBQ tied on 176.5600 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker. Master Series — Chicken places 6–7: NECTAR OF THE HOGS and Matty Macks tied on 175.4172 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker.
🛡️ Back to defend
Past winners of this contest cooked this edition: Gothic Town Grillers (won 2023), Shiggin & Grinnin (won 2024), Rack Shack BBQ (won 2025).
🃏 An upset on the books
WAG'S BACKWOODS BBQ came in rated below the field's top team, HOT DADDY'S BBQ, and took the Grand Championship anyway — roughly a 34-in-100 shot on pre-contest ratings.
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 | 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 ← this one | 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 | 178.2972 | 176.5600 | 174.8572 |
| Master Series — Pork Ribs | 180.0000 | 176.5600 | 173.1544 |
| Master Series — Pork | 180.0000 | 176.0000 | 173.7144 |
| Master Series — Brisket | 178.8572 | 173.7028 | 171.9772 |
| Backyard Series — Chicken | 180.0000 | 176.5600 | 173.1200 |
| Backyard Series — Pork Ribs | 180.0000 | 174.2744 | 171.4632 |
Official results on kcbs.us ↗
Master Series
Overall
42 entries · top 709.7028 · median 677.8916
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | WAG'S BACKWOODS BBQ | |
| 2 | Sugar Shack | |
| 3 | LUCKY 19 SAUCE COMPANY | |
| 4 | Justice BBQ | |
| 5 | Can Country Outlaw BBQ | |
| 6 | Son of a Boar BBQ | |
| 7 | SHIGGIN & GRINNIN | |
| 8 | TEAM CRAWFORD | |
| 9 | NECTAR OF THE HOGS | |
| 10 | T-Rex BBQ | |
| 11 | Byg's BBQ | |
| 12 | Bohica BBQ | |
| 13 | HOT DADDY'S BBQ | |
| 14 | BBQ Pit Bros | |
| 15 | Castiron Cookers | |
| 16 | MACHETE BOYS BBQ | |
| 17 | Chillin N Grillin N Iowa BBQ | |
| 18 | Big Racks BBQ | |
| 19 | CHICK HUGGINS BBQ | |
| 20 | SMOKEY D'S WANNABEES | |
| 21 | Matty Macks | |
| 22 | GOTHIC TOWN GRILLERS | |
| 23 | PORKY BUTTS BBQ | |
| 24 | Luscious Loins BBQ | |
| 25 | BUCKSHOTBBQ | |
| 26 | Ambition Que | |
| 27 | Rack Shack bbq | |
| 28 | Daddy Dutch BBQ | |
| 29 | HOME FARM BBQ | |
| 30 | Broke Boys BBQ | |
| 31 | Low Eye Que | |
| 32 | Bucknutz BBQ | |
| 33 | C&M BBQ | |
| 34 | Smokey Bey's Barbecue | |
| 35 | Second Hand Smoke SLV | |
| 36 | Bourbon & Blues BBQ | |
| 37 | IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ | |
| 38 | Smokin Suckers | |
| 39 | The Smoking Silverback | |
| 40 | 225 MAFIA | |
| 41 | Electric Tomato BBQ | |
| 42 | Tried & True BBQ |
Chicken
42 entries · top 178.2972 · median 171.9772
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | WAG'S BACKWOODS BBQ | |
| 2 | MACHETE BOYS BBQ | |
| 3 | LUCKY 19 SAUCE COMPANY | |
| 4 | IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ | |
| 5 | Luscious Loins BBQ | |
| 6 | NECTAR OF THE HOGS | |
| 7 | Matty Macks | |
| 8 | Daddy Dutch BBQ | |
| 9 | C&M BBQ | |
| 10 | Bohica BBQ | |
| 11 | Big Racks BBQ | |
| 12 | Ambition Que | |
| 13 | Broke Boys BBQ | |
| 14 | Can Country Outlaw BBQ | |
| 15 | Castiron Cookers | |
| 16 | Bourbon & Blues BBQ | |
| 17 | Chillin N Grillin N Iowa BBQ | |
| 18 | Justice BBQ | |
| 19 | Smokey Bey's Barbecue | |
| 20 | Rack Shack bbq | |
| 21 | CHICK HUGGINS BBQ | |
| 22 | PORKY BUTTS BBQ | |
| 23 | Bucknutz BBQ | |
| 24 | BUCKSHOTBBQ | |
| 25 | Sugar Shack | |
| 26 | Smokin Suckers | |
| 27 | Low Eye Que | |
| 28 | SMOKEY D'S WANNABEES | |
| 29 | HOT DADDY'S BBQ | |
| 30 | Byg's BBQ | |
| 31 | TEAM CRAWFORD | |
| 32 | HOME FARM BBQ | |
| 33 | SHIGGIN & GRINNIN | |
| 34 | The Smoking Silverback | |
| 35 | Second Hand Smoke SLV | |
| 36 | BBQ Pit Bros | |
| 37 | T-Rex BBQ | |
| 38 | Son of a Boar BBQ | |
| 39 | GOTHIC TOWN GRILLERS | |
| 40 | 225 MAFIA | |
| 41 | Electric Tomato BBQ | |
| 42 | Tried & True BBQ |
Pork Ribs
42 entries · top 180.0000 · median 167.9714 · 🔥 perfect 180
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | WAG'S BACKWOODS BBQ | |
| 2 | BBQ Pit Bros | |
| 3 | Sugar Shack | |
| 4 | Rack Shack bbq | |
| 5 | T-Rex BBQ | |
| 6 | SHIGGIN & GRINNIN | |
| 7 | Low Eye Que | |
| 8 | Justice BBQ | |
| 9 | Big Racks BBQ | |
| 10 | Bohica BBQ | |
| 11 | Can Country Outlaw BBQ | |
| 12 | Son of a Boar BBQ | |
| 13 | GOTHIC TOWN GRILLERS | |
| 14 | SMOKEY D'S WANNABEES | |
| 15 | LUCKY 19 SAUCE COMPANY | |
| 16 | Second Hand Smoke SLV | |
| 17 | PORKY BUTTS BBQ | |
| 18 | MACHETE BOYS BBQ | |
| 19 | BUCKSHOTBBQ | |
| 20 | TEAM CRAWFORD | |
| 21 | C&M BBQ | |
| 22 | HOT DADDY'S BBQ | |
| 23 | NECTAR OF THE HOGS | |
| 24 | Luscious Loins BBQ | |
| 25 | Smokin Suckers | |
| 26 | Broke Boys BBQ | |
| 27 | Chillin N Grillin N Iowa BBQ | |
| 28 | Castiron Cookers | |
| 29 | Daddy Dutch BBQ | |
| 30 | Matty Macks | |
| 31 | Byg's BBQ | |
| 32 | Bourbon & Blues BBQ | |
| 33 | Bucknutz BBQ | |
| 34 | Smokey Bey's Barbecue | |
| 35 | IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ | |
| 36 | Tried & True BBQ | |
| 37 | Electric Tomato BBQ | |
| 38 | 225 MAFIA | |
| 39 | HOME FARM BBQ | |
| 40 | Ambition Que | |
| 41 | CHICK HUGGINS BBQ | |
| 42 | The Smoking Silverback |
Pork
42 entries · top 180.0000 · median 168.5372 · 🔥 perfect 180
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | HOT DADDY'S BBQ | |
| 2 | Can Country Outlaw BBQ | |
| 3 | Byg's BBQ | |
| 4 | Justice BBQ | |
| 5 | WAG'S BACKWOODS BBQ | |
| 6 | SHIGGIN & GRINNIN | |
| 7 | LUCKY 19 SAUCE COMPANY | |
| 8 | Sugar Shack | |
| 9 | HOME FARM BBQ | |
| 10 | CHICK HUGGINS BBQ | |
| 11 | Chillin N Grillin N Iowa BBQ | |
| 12 | MACHETE BOYS BBQ | |
| 13 | Son of a Boar BBQ | |
| 14 | T-Rex BBQ | |
| 15 | TEAM CRAWFORD | |
| 16 | NECTAR OF THE HOGS | |
| 17 | Broke Boys BBQ | |
| 18 | GOTHIC TOWN GRILLERS | |
| 19 | Low Eye Que | |
| 20 | Luscious Loins BBQ | |
| 21 | BUCKSHOTBBQ | |
| 22 | SMOKEY D'S WANNABEES | |
| 23 | Ambition Que | |
| 24 | Castiron Cookers | |
| 25 | Bohica BBQ | |
| 26 | PORKY BUTTS BBQ | |
| 27 | Bourbon & Blues BBQ | |
| 28 | Bucknutz BBQ | |
| 29 | Matty Macks | |
| 30 | The Smoking Silverback | |
| 31 | Smokin Suckers | |
| 32 | BBQ Pit Bros | |
| 33 | Second Hand Smoke SLV | |
| 34 | Big Racks BBQ | |
| 35 | 225 MAFIA | |
| 36 | IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ | |
| 37 | Daddy Dutch BBQ | |
| 38 | Smokey Bey's Barbecue | |
| 39 | Rack Shack bbq | |
| 40 | Electric Tomato BBQ | |
| 41 | C&M BBQ | |
| 42 | Tried & True BBQ |
Brisket
42 entries · top 178.8572 · median 168.5372
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Son of a Boar BBQ | |
| 2 | TEAM CRAWFORD | |
| 3 | WAG'S BACKWOODS BBQ | |
| 4 | Sugar Shack | |
| 5 | Castiron Cookers | |
| 6 | CHICK HUGGINS BBQ | |
| 7 | Byg's BBQ | |
| 8 | Justice BBQ | |
| 9 | C&M BBQ | |
| 10 | NECTAR OF THE HOGS | |
| 11 | BBQ Pit Bros | |
| 12 | Smokey Bey's Barbecue | |
| 13 | LUCKY 19 SAUCE COMPANY | |
| 14 | T-Rex BBQ | |
| 15 | GOTHIC TOWN GRILLERS | |
| 16 | SHIGGIN & GRINNIN | |
| 17 | Bohica BBQ | |
| 18 | Matty Macks | |
| 19 | Ambition Que | |
| 20 | Bucknutz BBQ | |
| 21 | Chillin N Grillin N Iowa BBQ | |
| 22 | Daddy Dutch BBQ | |
| 23 | SMOKEY D'S WANNABEES | |
| 24 | HOME FARM BBQ | |
| 25 | PORKY BUTTS BBQ | |
| 26 | BUCKSHOTBBQ | |
| 27 | Can Country Outlaw BBQ | |
| 28 | Second Hand Smoke SLV | |
| 29 | Big Racks BBQ | |
| 30 | HOT DADDY'S BBQ | |
| 31 | Rack Shack bbq | |
| 32 | Bourbon & Blues BBQ | |
| 33 | Luscious Loins BBQ | |
| 34 | MACHETE BOYS BBQ | |
| 35 | IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ | |
| 36 | Broke Boys BBQ | |
| 37 | Smokin Suckers | |
| 38 | Low Eye Que | |
| 39 | The Smoking Silverback | |
| 40 | Tried & True BBQ | |
| 41 | 225 MAFIA | |
| 42 | Electric Tomato BBQ |
Backyard Series
Overall
36 entries · top 360.0000 · median 338.5086
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DAWGS BBQ | |
| 2 | Rudes BBQ | |
| 3 | Chester's Twisted Que | |
| 4 | Poppin Smoke BBQ | |
| 5 | T Daddys BBQ | |
| 6 | SmoQued On Main St | |
| 7 | Bramble BBQ | |
| 8 | Skinny Pig BBQ | |
| 9 | Wapatui Smokers | |
| 10 | 10 In The Pit BBQ | |
| 11 | FENDER BENDER BBQ | |
| 12 | SMOKEY GQ | |
| 13 | Family Tradition BBQ | |
| 14 | WEEZ'S GROOVIN' BBQ | |
| 15 | Barefoot BBQ | |
| 16 | All Smoked Up BBQ | |
| 17 | T-Dawg BBQ | |
| 18 | E SQUARED BBQ | |
| 19 | Sensuous BBQ | |
| 20 | Smokey Bros Barbecue | |
| 21 | Burn Barrel BBQ | |
| 22 | BootsBBQ | |
| 23 | East Bow Que | |
| 24 | C&S Barrel-Fire BBQ | |
| 25 | BBQ MIKE | |
| 26 | Too Sauced Guys Bar-B-Que | |
| 27 | Kolder Q | |
| 28 | Killer Rex BBQ | |
| 29 | Brown Dog BBQ | |
| 30 | Team No Clue BBQ | |
| 31 | Heavy & Sweaty BBQ | |
| 32 | Smoke N Poke BBQ | |
| 33 | B&D BBQ | |
| 34 | Blades&Muellers BBQ | |
| 35 | Boneheads BBQ | |
| 36 | JK Smoken BBQ |
Chicken
36 entries · top 180.0000 · median 169.9942 · 🔥 perfect 180
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DAWGS BBQ | |
| 2 | Bramble BBQ | |
| 3 | T-Dawg BBQ | |
| 4 | Rudes BBQ | |
| 5 | WEEZ'S GROOVIN' BBQ | |
| 6 | Skinny Pig BBQ | |
| 7 | T Daddys BBQ | |
| 8 | Poppin Smoke BBQ | |
| 9 | Chester's Twisted Que | |
| 10 | Wapatui Smokers | |
| 11 | Family Tradition BBQ | |
| 12 | FENDER BENDER BBQ | |
| 13 | SmoQued On Main St | |
| 14 | 10 In The Pit BBQ | |
| 15 | C&S Barrel-Fire BBQ | |
| 16 | SMOKEY GQ | |
| 17 | Barefoot BBQ | |
| 18 | Killer Rex BBQ | |
| 19 | BootsBBQ | |
| 20 | E SQUARED BBQ | |
| 21 | Sensuous BBQ | |
| 22 | Smokey Bros Barbecue | |
| 23 | All Smoked Up BBQ | |
| 24 | East Bow Que | |
| 25 | Too Sauced Guys Bar-B-Que | |
| 26 | BBQ MIKE | |
| 27 | Blades&Muellers BBQ | |
| 28 | Burn Barrel BBQ | |
| 29 | Kolder Q | |
| 30 | B&D BBQ | |
| 31 | Smoke N Poke BBQ | |
| 32 | Brown Dog BBQ | |
| 33 | Team No Clue BBQ | |
| 34 | Boneheads BBQ | |
| 35 | Heavy & Sweaty BBQ | |
| 36 | JK Smoken BBQ |
Pork Ribs
36 entries · top 180.0000 · median 168.5314 · 🔥 perfect 180
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DAWGS BBQ | |
| 2 | Chester's Twisted Que | |
| 3 | Rudes BBQ | |
| 4 | Poppin Smoke BBQ | |
| 5 | SmoQued On Main St | |
| 6 | 10 In The Pit BBQ | |
| 7 | SMOKEY GQ | |
| 8 | All Smoked Up BBQ | |
| 9 | T Daddys BBQ | |
| 10 | Wapatui Smokers | |
| 11 | FENDER BENDER BBQ | |
| 12 | Barefoot BBQ | |
| 13 | Burn Barrel BBQ | |
| 14 | E SQUARED BBQ | |
| 15 | Family Tradition BBQ | |
| 16 | Sensuous BBQ | |
| 17 | Kolder Q | |
| 18 | Heavy & Sweaty BBQ | |
| 19 | Team No Clue BBQ | |
| 20 | Skinny Pig BBQ | |
| 21 | Bramble BBQ | |
| 22 | Smokey Bros Barbecue | |
| 23 | BBQ MIKE | |
| 24 | Brown Dog BBQ | |
| 25 | East Bow Que | |
| 26 | BootsBBQ | |
| 27 | WEEZ'S GROOVIN' BBQ | |
| 28 | Too Sauced Guys Bar-B-Que | |
| 29 | Smoke N Poke BBQ | |
| 30 | C&S Barrel-Fire BBQ | |
| 31 | Killer Rex BBQ | |
| 32 | T-Dawg BBQ | |
| 33 | B&D BBQ | |
| 34 | Boneheads BBQ | |
| 35 | JK Smoken BBQ | |
| 36 | Blades&Muellers BBQ |