A new contest record
690.2168
highest overall ever cooked here
690.2168 is the highest overall score this contest has ever produced — past the 686.7884 THE AMERICAN DREAM BBQ set in 2015.
- old record 686.7884
- set 2015 by THE AMERICAN DREAM BBQ
Bliss Brews & Que 2016
Oct 7–8, 2016 · Ft. Bliss, TX
THE AMERICAN DREAM BBQ won Grand Champion at the Bliss Brews & Que on October 7, 2016 in Ft. Bliss, TX, scoring 690.2168 in a field of 32 teams. BAD BOYZ BBQ took Reserve Grand Champion with 683.3712. Category winners: Chicken — SCOTTS BBQ SHACK (175.4400); Pork Ribs — BAD BOYZ BBQ (174.8572); Pork — THE AMERICAN DREAM BBQ (175.4056); Brisket — Sho Dawg BBQ (174.8456). This is the 4th of 4 editions of this contest on record; the 2015 edition was won by THE AMERICAN DREAM BBQ.
The contest at a glance (read off the scored boards)
How the field scored
Overall totals, every team on the board — tall stacks are where the pack sat.
582.16
median 626.46
690.22 🏆
How the meats cooked
Every board on one scale — the bar runs last score to first, the dot is the median.
- Chicken 175.44
- Pork Ribs 174.86
- Pork 175.41
- Brisket 174.85
129.09
175.44
Winning score by edition
What it has taken to win here, 2013 to 2016 — this edition picked out.
Entries
32
4 judged meats · 4 ancillary
Top score
690.2168
Winning margin
6.8456
GC over RC
Field average
633.30
582.16690.22
median 626.46 · last place to winner
Perfect 180s
0
Tightest race
Chicken
2.3200 pts across the top 5
Top-10 cutoff
655.3368
582.16690.22
10th place overall
Field spread
108.0576
winner to last place
Double threats
6
teams with 2+ top-5 calls
How hot was the win?
Top 71%
beats 29% of 4715 Master Series wins in the data
Came back for more
45%
18 of 40 teams from the previous edition returned
Form held
Moderate
ρ = -0.58 between pre-contest rating and finish
Field strength
1,545
avg power rating going in · stronger than 34% of contests
Storylines (7 found in this contest's numbers)
Everything below is read straight out of the results — the number on each card is the one that made it a story.
Back-to-back
2 in a row
editions of this contest
THE AMERICAN DREAM BBQ won here last time out too — 2 straight editions of this contest.
- 2015
- 2016
A dynasty in the making
2×
wins at this contest
2 of 4 tracked editions
THE AMERICAN DREAM BBQ has won this contest 2 times across its 4 tracked editions.
- 2015
- 2016
Photo finishes
Tie
closest of 10 calls decided inside half a point
Pork Ribs places 8–9: THE AMERICAN DREAM BBQ and KNIFE PORK AND SPOON tied on 169.7028 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker. Pork places 1–2: THE AMERICAN DREAM BBQ and 4 LEGS UP BBQ tied on 175.4056 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker. Brisket places 1–2: Sho Dawg BBQ and KARNIVOROUS tied on 174.8456 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker.
- Pork Ribs 8–9 · tie
- Pork 1–2 · tie
- Brisket 1–2 · tie
- Brisket 7–8 · tie
How the title was won
4 of 4
meats called to the stage
THE AMERICAN DREAM BBQ took the title on 4 calls from 4 meats, with 1 outright win — their weakest board was chicken at 9th.
- Chicken 9th
- Pork Ribs 8th
- Pork 1st
- Brisket 4th
A contest record in chicken
175.4400
best chicken ever cooked here
SCOTTS BBQ SHACK turned in 175.4400 in chicken — past the 173.7028 that had stood across 3 earlier editions.
- old best 173.7028
- across 3 past editions
Back to defend
3
past champions back in the field
Past winners of this contest cooked this edition: HIGH DESERT HOLY SMOKE BBQ (won 2013), BAD BOYZ BBQ (won 2014), THE AMERICAN DREAM BBQ (won 2015).
- HIGH DESERT HOLY SMOKE BBQ · 2013
- BAD BOYZ BBQ · 2014
- THE AMERICAN DREAM BBQ · 2015
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)
This contest over the years full contest page →
| Date | Where | Venue | Teams | High score | Grand Champion | Reserve Champion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 11, 2013 | Fort Bliss, TX | Fort Bliss, TX | 26 | 667.3372 | HIGH DESERT HOLY SMOKE BBQ | BBQ MAGIC |
| Oct 10, 2014 | Fort Bliss, TX | Fort Bliss, TX 79906 | 26 | 685.6456 | BAD BOYZ BBQ | SMOKIN TRIGGERS |
| Oct 9, 2015 | Fort Bliss, TX | Fort Bliss, TX 79906 | 40 | 686.7884 | THE AMERICAN DREAM BBQ | LONESTAR SMOKE RANGERS |
| Oct 7, 2016 ← this one | Ft. Bliss, TX | Ft. Bliss, TX | 32 | 690.2168 | THE AMERICAN DREAM BBQ | BAD BOYZ BBQ |
What a call cost (the score it took to finish 1st, 5th and 10th)
| Category | 1st | 5th | 10th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken | 175.4400 | 173.1200 | 168.5256 |
| Pork Ribs | 174.8572 | 170.2856 | 166.8572 |
| Pork | 175.4056 | 167.9772 | 163.9884 |
| Brisket | 174.8456 | 171.4400 | 163.4400 |
Official results on kcbs.us ↗
Master Series
Overall
32 entries · top 690.2168 · median 626.4572
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | THE AMERICAN DREAM BBQ | |
| 2 | BAD BOYZ BBQ | |
| 3 | KNIFE PORK AND SPOON | |
| 4 | SMOKIN TRIGGERS | |
| 5 | 4 LEGS UP BBQ | |
| 6 | SUNDANCER BBQ | |
| 7 | Sho Dawg BBQ | |
| 8 | SMOKE EM UP BBQ | |
| 9 | DJS SMOKIN' BBQ | |
| 10 | SCOTTS BBQ SHACK | |
| 11 | HIGH DESERT HOLY SMOKE BBQ | |
| 12 | DOUBLE BARREL SMOKERS | |
| 13 | Ray Rays BBQ | |
| 14 | KARNIVOROUS | |
| 15 | MONSOON BBQ | |
| 16 | SIMMONS SECOND CHANCE RANCH BBQ | |
| 17 | Smokin Double Z | |
| 18 | Chi Town BBQ | |
| 19 | MIKE'S TEXAS EDGE BBQ | |
| 20 | Weekend Pit Masters | |
| 21 | RUB MY BUTT BBQ TEAM - TX | |
| 22 | Big Bears | |
| 23 | Smokin Butts BBQ | |
| 24 | Doc's Bar B Que | |
| 25 | Matts Smokin BBQ | |
| 26 | Black Star | |
| 27 | Fire Smoke' N Grill | |
| 28 | Pride Smokehouse BBQ | |
| 29 | JPR | |
| 30 | Gooba Pit Barbecue | |
| 31 | Bob's B-Q | |
| 32 | REDD'S WEST TEXAS BBQ |
Chicken
32 entries · top 175.4400 · median 157.9944
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | SCOTTS BBQ SHACK | |
| 2 | DOUBLE BARREL SMOKERS | |
| 3 | KNIFE PORK AND SPOON | |
| 4 | HIGH DESERT HOLY SMOKE BBQ | |
| 5 | Sho Dawg BBQ | |
| 6 | SMOKIN TRIGGERS | |
| 7 | BAD BOYZ BBQ | |
| 8 | SMOKE EM UP BBQ | |
| 9 | THE AMERICAN DREAM BBQ | |
| 10 | DJS SMOKIN' BBQ | |
| 11 | 4 LEGS UP BBQ | |
| 12 | Fire Smoke' N Grill | |
| 13 | Smokin Butts BBQ | |
| 14 | Ray Rays BBQ | |
| 15 | Smokin Double Z | |
| 16 | SUNDANCER BBQ | |
| 17 | Bob's B-Q | |
| 18 | JPR | |
| 19 | MONSOON BBQ | |
| 20 | Black Star | |
| 21 | Chi Town BBQ | |
| 22 | Gooba Pit Barbecue | |
| 23 | Matts Smokin BBQ | |
| 24 | KARNIVOROUS | |
| 25 | MIKE'S TEXAS EDGE BBQ | |
| 26 | Weekend Pit Masters | |
| 27 | Big Bears | |
| 28 | Doc's Bar B Que | |
| 29 | SIMMONS SECOND CHANCE RANCH BBQ | |
| 30 | REDD'S WEST TEXAS BBQ | |
| 31 | RUB MY BUTT BBQ TEAM - TX | |
| 32 | Pride Smokehouse BBQ |
Pork Ribs
32 entries · top 174.8572 · median 160.8286
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | BAD BOYZ BBQ | |
| 2 | Chi Town BBQ | |
| 3 | SMOKE EM UP BBQ | |
| 4 | HIGH DESERT HOLY SMOKE BBQ | |
| 5 | 4 LEGS UP BBQ | |
| 6 | DJS SMOKIN' BBQ | |
| 7 | Big Bears | |
| 8 | THE AMERICAN DREAM BBQ | |
| 9 | KNIFE PORK AND SPOON | |
| 10 | SMOKIN TRIGGERS | |
| 11 | SUNDANCER BBQ | |
| 12 | Sho Dawg BBQ | |
| 13 | RUB MY BUTT BBQ TEAM - TX | |
| 14 | SIMMONS SECOND CHANCE RANCH BBQ | |
| 15 | Ray Rays BBQ | |
| 16 | Smokin Butts BBQ | |
| 17 | DOUBLE BARREL SMOKERS | |
| 18 | Smokin Double Z | |
| 19 | Matts Smokin BBQ | |
| 20 | MONSOON BBQ | |
| 21 | SCOTTS BBQ SHACK | |
| 22 | Weekend Pit Masters | |
| 23 | Pride Smokehouse BBQ | |
| 24 | KARNIVOROUS | |
| 25 | Bob's B-Q | |
| 26 | Doc's Bar B Que | |
| 27 | MIKE'S TEXAS EDGE BBQ | |
| 28 | JPR | |
| 29 | Black Star | |
| 30 | REDD'S WEST TEXAS BBQ | |
| 31 | Gooba Pit Barbecue | |
| 32 | Fire Smoke' N Grill |
Pork
32 entries · top 175.4056 · median 157.3942
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | THE AMERICAN DREAM BBQ | |
| 2 | 4 LEGS UP BBQ | |
| 3 | SUNDANCER BBQ | |
| 4 | MIKE'S TEXAS EDGE BBQ | |
| 5 | KNIFE PORK AND SPOON | |
| 6 | BAD BOYZ BBQ | |
| 7 | SIMMONS SECOND CHANCE RANCH BBQ | |
| 8 | Ray Rays BBQ | |
| 9 | SMOKIN TRIGGERS | |
| 10 | Pride Smokehouse BBQ | |
| 11 | Weekend Pit Masters | |
| 12 | DJS SMOKIN' BBQ | |
| 13 | SMOKE EM UP BBQ | |
| 14 | RUB MY BUTT BBQ TEAM - TX | |
| 15 | Black Star | |
| 16 | KARNIVOROUS | |
| 17 | Big Bears | |
| 18 | HIGH DESERT HOLY SMOKE BBQ | |
| 19 | SCOTTS BBQ SHACK | |
| 20 | Sho Dawg BBQ | |
| 21 | Gooba Pit Barbecue | |
| 22 | Matts Smokin BBQ | |
| 23 | MONSOON BBQ | |
| 24 | DOUBLE BARREL SMOKERS | |
| 25 | JPR | |
| 26 | REDD'S WEST TEXAS BBQ | |
| 27 | Fire Smoke' N Grill | |
| 28 | Bob's B-Q | |
| 29 | Doc's Bar B Que | |
| 30 | Smokin Double Z | |
| 31 | Chi Town BBQ | |
| 32 | Smokin Butts BBQ |
Brisket
32 entries · top 174.8456 · median 154.8342
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sho Dawg BBQ | |
| 2 | KARNIVOROUS | |
| 3 | SUNDANCER BBQ | |
| 4 | THE AMERICAN DREAM BBQ | |
| 5 | SMOKIN TRIGGERS | |
| 6 | KNIFE PORK AND SPOON | |
| 7 | BAD BOYZ BBQ | |
| 8 | SCOTTS BBQ SHACK | |
| 9 | DOUBLE BARREL SMOKERS | |
| 10 | MONSOON BBQ | |
| 11 | 4 LEGS UP BBQ | |
| 12 | Smokin Double Z | |
| 13 | Fire Smoke' N Grill | |
| 14 | Doc's Bar B Que | |
| 15 | DJS SMOKIN' BBQ | |
| 16 | Smokin Butts BBQ | |
| 17 | HIGH DESERT HOLY SMOKE BBQ | |
| 18 | MIKE'S TEXAS EDGE BBQ | |
| 19 | SMOKE EM UP BBQ | |
| 20 | Chi Town BBQ | |
| 21 | Ray Rays BBQ | |
| 22 | Weekend Pit Masters | |
| 23 | RUB MY BUTT BBQ TEAM - TX | |
| 24 | SIMMONS SECOND CHANCE RANCH BBQ | |
| 25 | Black Star | |
| 26 | REDD'S WEST TEXAS BBQ | |
| 27 | JPR | |
| 28 | Matts Smokin BBQ | |
| 29 | Big Bears | |
| 30 | Pride Smokehouse BBQ | |
| 31 | Gooba Pit Barbecue | |
| 32 | Bob's B-Q |
Ancillary categories
Run by the organizers alongside the sanctioned contest. These are judged on their own terms and do not count toward the overall score, so they're kept out of the meat stats above.
Master Series — Backyard Brisket
19 entries · top 166.3428 · median 149.7028
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Smokin Bowlers | |
| 2 | JOBU BBQ | |
| 3 | BIG DADDY'S BBQ | |
| 4 | Tip of Texas BBQ | |
| 5 | ROLLIN' COAL BBQ | |
| 6 | Smokin Eatz | |
| 7 | MEX A QUE | |
| 8 | Ronnie's BBQ | |
| 9 | Fajita Joes's | |
| 10 | Pride Backyard | |
| 11 | Chiefs | |
| 12 | Mendoza Brothers BBQ | |
| 13 | Thunder 3 | |
| 14 | Murf's Q Train | |
| 15 | Romes BBQ | |
| 16 | Big Bend Smokers | |
| 17 | Marky Mark BBQ | |
| 18 | S A G | |
| 19 | Red Clay |
Master Series — Backyard Ribs
19 entries · top 169.7028 · median 149.7600
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | JOBU BBQ | |
| 2 | Big Bend Smokers | |
| 3 | Chiefs | |
| 4 | Romes BBQ | |
| 5 | Mendoza Brothers BBQ | |
| 6 | Smokin Eatz | |
| 7 | MEX A QUE | |
| 8 | Pride Backyard | |
| 9 | Ronnie's BBQ | |
| 10 | BIG DADDY'S BBQ | |
| 11 | Smokin Bowlers | |
| 12 | Marky Mark BBQ | |
| 13 | Murf's Q Train | |
| 14 | ROLLIN' COAL BBQ | |
| 15 | Red Clay | |
| 16 | Tip of Texas BBQ | |
| 17 | S A G | |
| 18 | Fajita Joes's | |
| 19 | Thunder 3 |
Master Series — Dessert
10 entries · top 170.8572 · median 167.4628
Master Series — Margarita
12 entries · top 172 · median 157.6970
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Doc's Bar B Que | |
| 2 | Tip of Texas BBQ | |
| 3 | BAD BOYZ BBQ | |
| 4 | RUB MY BUTT BBQ TEAM - TX | |
| 5 | Pride Backyard | |
| 6 | JOBU BBQ | |
| 7 | ROLLIN' COAL BBQ | |
| 8 | REDD'S WEST TEXAS BBQ | |
| 9 | DJS SMOKIN' BBQ | |
| 10 | KNIFE PORK AND SPOON | |
| 11 | Ronnie's BBQ | |
| 12 | MIKE'S TEXAS EDGE BBQ |