SaucyRossyBBQ KCBS Helper

← The latest edition · The 2015 season page

The annual edition

Every sanctioned contest scored in 2015.

Covering KCBS-sanctioned contests

The Smoke Ring

Competition Barbecue’s Paper of Record

Annual edition Thursday, December 31, 2015 Price: One Coffee

The 2015 Season in Review

483 contests scored
8,259 teams competing
714.8800 top score, out of 720 JAESTAR BBQ
18,424 team entries
247 different Grand Champions
106 first-time winners
134 won exactly once
336 perfect 180s
19,189 top-ten calls
2,696 new teams
49.7% of last year’s teams came back
606 biggest field
39 average field
691.53 average winning score
620.18 lowest winning score
4.87 average winning margin
1 settled by tiebreaker
54 states & provinces
14 countries
9 state championships
4 invitationals
0 reps at the table
2.2 contests per team
26 cancelled

Team of the Year

CLARK CREW BBQ Is 2015 Team of the Year

2,843 points to top the KCBS Master Series standings, ahead of THE AMERICAN DREAM BBQ.

2,843
Master Series Team of the Year points

CLARK CREW BBQ finished 2015 as KCBS Master Series Team of the Year on 2,843 points, with THE AMERICAN DREAM BBQ second.

Across 2015, 483 sanctioned contests were scored, across 54 states and provinces, drawing 8,259 teams to the turn-in table. Judges made 19,189 top-ten calls and handed out 336 perfect 180s. 2,696 teams appear in the record for the first time. The top tens run on B1.

  • Chicken: GETTIN' BASTED
  • Pork Ribs: SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ
  • Pork: BIG POPPA SMOKERS
  • Brisket: IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ
Section ATeam of the YearA2

The KCBS points race, exactly as the Society publishes it. The official standings →

Category Teams of the Year: Chicken — GETTIN' BASTED; Pork Ribs — SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ; Pork — BIG POPPA SMOKERS; Brisket — IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ.

Section AThe Year in BriefA3

By invitation only

THE SMOKING HILLS Wins the American Royal Invitational

Best of 187 invited teams, with PELLET ENVY in reserve — a win for the record book that leaves the power rating alone.

187 invited teams, one Grand Champion

— THE SMOKING HILLS won 36th Annual American Royal World Series of Barbeque- Invitational, best of 187 invited teams; PELLET ENVY took reserve. An invite-only field, so it leaves the power rating alone and goes straight into the record book.

  • top score 707.9888
  • 4 invitationals in 2015
  • not in the power rating

Score of the year

JAESTAR BBQ Turns In the Year’s Best Card

714.8800 out of 720 at Leavenworth Hog Wild BBQ Contest — the highest Master overall scored in 2015.

714.8800 Master overall, out of 720

— JAESTAR BBQ put up 714.8800 at Leavenworth Hog Wild BBQ Contest — the highest overall of the year.

Hottest hand

13 Grand Championships in 2015 for CLARK CREW BBQ

Nobody else in the field ran a hotter hand.

13× Grand Championships

CLARK CREW BBQ took 13 Grand Championships in 2015.

First one ever

TRUE SMOKE BBQ Wins Its First, on the 49th Try

A first Grand Championship at Septemberfest BBQ & Rib-Eye Steak Cookoff Challenge, after 49 contests in the record.

49th contest — and their first GC

— TRUE SMOKE BBQ won their first Grand Championship at Septemberfest BBQ & Rib-Eye Steak Cookoff Challenge, in their 49th contest in the data.

  • 5 Sep

Title defended

IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ Defends Its Title at Smoke in the Spring

Back-to-back Grand Championships at the same contest — 2014 and 2015.

2 in a row wins at this contest

— IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ won Smoke in the Spring again — back-to-back Grand Championships at the same contest.

  • 2014–2015
  • field of 97

Also in 2015

Judges Hand Out 336 Perfect 180s

Six judges, every card a 9: 336 perfect 180s were handed out in 2015.

Decided by 0.0000 of a Point

WARREN COUNTY PORK CHOPPERS edged QUE'N STEW'N & BREW'N by 0.0000 at Tony Stone-Cookeville Cookoff.

GRILLIN' BEAVERS Back on Top After Two Years

GRILLIN' BEAVERS won Best of the West BBQ Fest — their first Grand Championship since April 2013, after 52 contests without one.

A FINE SWINE Sets the Record at Red, White and BBQ

A FINE SWINE put up 692.6172 at Red, White and BBQ (Day 2) — the best overall in 4 editions of the contest on record, past the old mark of 683.4628.

THE CHILLY WATER SMOKERS Takes Three of Four Meats at Route 66 Smoke Out

THE CHILLY WATER SMOKERS won 3 of 4 meats at Route 66 Smoke Out (TEAMS AND JUDGES FULL) (chicken, pork ribs and pork), and the Grand Championship with them.

Smoke-A-Holics Climbs 180 Rating Points

Smoke-A-Holics gained 180 rating points across 44 contests — the biggest climb of the year.

106 Teams Win Their First Grand Championship

106 teams won their first Grand Championship on record in 2015 — the biggest of them SMOKIN MO'S BBQ at 4th Annual Santa Anita Winners' Circle BBQ Championship, against 100 teams.

BIG POPPA SMOKERS Collects Eight Perfect 180s

BIG POPPA SMOKERS turned in 8 perfect 180s in 2015, the most of any team.

Nine State Champions Crowned

9 state championships were decided in 2015. The biggest, Great Lenexa BBQ Battle - Kansas State Championship (183 teams), went to PELLET ENVY.

THE UNIVERSITY OF QUE Leads the Class of 2015

THE UNIVERSITY OF QUE cooked their first contest on record in 2015 and won 1 Grand Championship — the best season of 2,696 new teams.

Nobody Was Steadier Than IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ

IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ finished ahead of 94% of the field on average across 28 Master contests in 2015 — the steadiest season of anyone with 10 or more.

MISS PIGGY'S U.K. Runs Away With Smoke in the North

MISS PIGGY'S U.K. won Smoke in the North by 34.3888 points over LETZQ — the widest winning margin of the year.

Brisket Was the Hardest Meat of 2015

Brisket was the hardest meat to score in 2015: it averaged 161.13, against 164.22 for chicken.

606 Teams Roll Into Kansas City

36th Annual American Royal World Series of Barbeque- Open drew 606 teams, and GRILLS GONE WILD IOWA won it.

483 Contests, Up 4% on 2014

483 contests were scored in 2015, up from 465 in 2014.

IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ Cooks Its 100th Contest

IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ cooked their 100th contest on record at Balloons Bikes Blues and Barbeque, with 28 Grand Championships along the way.

It Took 691.53 to Win This Year

A Master Series win took an average of 691.53 in 2015, up 2.21 on 689.32 in 2014.

Nobody Hauled Further Than Smoke-A-Holics

Smoke-A-Holics cooked 46 contests in 2015 — nobody hauled the rig further.

THE SMOKING HILLS Wins American Royal World Series of Barbeque- Invitational Without Winning a Meat

THE SMOKING HILLS won 36th Annual American Royal World Series of Barbeque- Invitational without winning a single meat — their best category finish was 3rd.

A New Contest Opens in Kansas City

36th Annual American Royal World Series of Barbeque- Open ran for the first time on record, drawing 606 teams, and GRILLS GONE WILD IOWA won it. Somebody put in the work to make a new contest happen.

QUE'N STEW'N & BREW'N Takes Reserve Six Times

QUE'N STEW'N & BREW'N finished second overall 6 times in 2015 without a Grand Championship — one place short every time.

19 Contests on One Friday

19 sanctioned contests were cooked on 11 Sep alone.

Missouri Hosts 59 Contests, More Than Anywhere

Missouri held 59 contests in 2015, more than anywhere else, with an average field of 52.

May Was the Busiest Month, With 79 Contests

May 2015 was the busiest month of 2015: 79 contests scored and 2,408 teams cooking. Read the May 2015 edition.

Section ABy InvitationA4

Every invitational of 2015. Invite-only fields: their results go into every team’s record, and they don’t move the power rating.

The invitational circuit → · every invitational on record, who keeps getting invited, and who wins them.

Section AFirsts & RookiesA5

First Grand Championships 106 teams won one for the first time on record — the 24 biggest fields shown

  1. SMOKIN MO'S BBQ 4th Annual Santa Anita Winners' Circle BBQ Championship Mar 20 · 100 teams
  2. SAUCE THIS BBQ Triple Threat BBQ Beer and Music Festival Apr 10 · 99 teams
  3. Swine Life Don't Be Cruel BBQ Duel Mar 13 · 94 teams
  4. OKIEQ Bixby BBQ'N Blues Festival May 1 · 81 teams
  5. Freeman Brothers BBQ Gold Ribbin' BBQ Fest of Greater Green Bay Jul 10 · 80 teams
  6. SLAPS BBQ Smokin' on the Summit Jun 5 · 78 teams
  7. WAY 2 QUE Flames on the Flint Mar 13 · 72 teams
  8. SOUTHERN DUTCH BBQ 2nd Ruhrpott BBQ 2015 Sep 25 · 67 teams
  9. Uncle Pig's Barbeque Pit New Jersey State Barbecue Championship Jul 10 · 65 teams
  10. BARK BROTHERS BBQ Madison Ribberfest BBQ & Blues Festival Aug 21 · 64 teams
  11. Smoke Masters Mafia Racing for the BBQ Jul 24 · 63 teams
  12. Lucky Dawg BBQ Shotgun Fred BBQ Showdown Feb 26 · 61 teams
  13. DRY 2 DA BONE Smokin' in Steel May 29 · 60 teams
  14. UNCULTURED SWINE High on the Hog Festival Apr 17 · 59 teams
  15. FINN'S FINEST BBQ Boo B Que By the Sea Oct 30 · 59 teams
  16. HotMess BBQ Cape Jaycees BBQ Fest Aug 21 · 58 teams
  17. RED VALLEY BBQ Hudson Valley Ribfest Aug 14 · 57 teams
  18. EL REY SMOKERS COMPETITION TEAM Raider Red Meats BBQ and Ribeye Championship Aug 28 · 57 teams
  19. DANTE'S INFERNO Que for the Troops Jun 5 · 54 teams
  20. WHISKEY,WOMEN & WIBS The Best Damn BBQ Contest Apr 10 · 52 teams
  21. J & B'S BBQ Smoke-N-Thunder BBQ Classic Day 1 (GBC Qualifier) Oct 2 · 52 teams
  22. BREWMASTERS BAR-B-QUE Blues Hog Barbecue, Music & Craft Festival Jul 3 · 51 teams
  23. OKLAHOMA JOE'S SERIOUS QUE 7th Annual Main Street BBQ & Bluesfest Apr 17 · 49 teams
  24. Accutech Plant City Pig Jam - State Championship BBQ Contest Nov 20 · 49 teams

The Rookie Class Teams whose first contest on record came in 2015 — 2,696 of them

The whole class of 2015 →

Section BThe Top TensB1

22 standings from the 2015 season. Grand Championships count once per contest; overall scores are ranked only against their own board’s scale.

Highest Scores

Master overall, out of 720

  1. 1 JAESTAR BBQLeavenworth Hog Wild BBQ Contest 714.8800
  2. 2 CAJUN BLAZEJim Bowie BBQ Throwdown 714.8572
  3. 3 ZZYZX BAR.B.QThe Outlets @ Lake Elsinore BBQ State Championship 712.6060
  4. 4 WARREN COUNTY PORK CHOPPERSThe Rotary Club of Bearden - Que Fest 712.5716
  5. 5 Organizer PortalNebo Fall Festival BBQ 710.8688
  6. 6 2 WORTHLESS NUTS, NATURAL BORN GRILLERSThe Rotary Club of Bearden - Que Fest 710.8688
  7. 7 BURNT FINGER BBQCookin on the Kaw 710.2860
  8. 8 WARREN COUNTY PORK CHOPPERSLewisburg Rotary Club BBQ CookOff 710.2744
  9. 9 BIG POPPA SMOKERSThe Outlets @ Lake Elsinore BBQ State Championship 709.1428
  10. 10 Bald Hawg BBQHillbilly Hog BBQ Throwdown & Fall Festival 709.1428

Most Grand Championships

Contests won, counted once per contest

  1. 1 CLARK CREW BBQ39 contests · 35 top tens 13
  2. 2 THE AMERICAN DREAM BBQ38 contests · 26 top tens 10
  3. 3 IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ28 contests · 25 top tens 8
  4. 4 Organizer Portal34 contests · 25 top tens 8
  5. 5 BIG POPPA SMOKERS26 contests · 25 top tens 6
  6. 6 YELLOW RIVER BBQ32 contests · 27 top tens 6
  7. 7 MISS PIGGY'S U.K.18 contests · 14 top tens 5
  8. 8 TIM'S FULL BELLI DELI23 contests · 16 top tens 5
  9. 9 3 EYZ BBQ26 contests · 19 top tens 5
  10. 10 SMOKIN MO'S BBQ28 contests · 21 top tens 5

Most Reserve Championships

Second overall

  1. 1 GETTIN' BASTED5 GCs · 38 contests 9
  2. 2 JO-BAWB'S BBQ3 GCs · 27 contests 7
  3. 3 SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ5 GCs · 40 contests 7
  4. 4 IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ8 GCs · 28 contests 6
  5. 5 SPITFIRE3 GCs · 30 contests 6
  6. 6 QUE'N STEW'N & BREW'N0 GCs · 33 contests 6
  7. 7 TRUEBUD BBQ2 GCs · 23 contests 5
  8. 8 BIG POPPA SMOKERS6 GCs · 26 contests 5
  9. 9 Rogue Hog BBQ1 GC · 26 contests 5
  10. 10 CHECKERED PIG3 GCs · 28 contests 5

Most Top-Ten Finishes

Top ten overall

  1. 1 CLARK CREW BBQof 39 contests 35
  2. 2 SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQof 40 contests 34
  3. 3 Smoke-A-Holicsof 46 contests 32
  4. 4 GETTIN' BASTEDof 38 contests 29
  5. 5 QUAUof 34 contests 28
  6. 6 YELLOW RIVER BBQof 32 contests 27
  7. 7 QUE'N STEW'N & BREW'Nof 33 contests 26
  8. 8 THE AMERICAN DREAM BBQof 38 contests 26
  9. 9 BIG POPPA SMOKERSof 26 contests 25
  10. 10 IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQof 28 contests 25

Most Calls

Top-ten finishes in the four meats

  1. 1 Smoke-A-Holics46 contests 104
  2. 2 CLARK CREW BBQ39 contests 97
  3. 3 GETTIN' BASTED38 contests 91
  4. 4 THE AMERICAN DREAM BBQ38 contests 87
  5. 5 SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ40 contests 87
  6. 6 Organizer Portal34 contests 85
  7. 7 QUE'N STEW'N & BREW'N33 contests 80
  8. 8 QUAU34 contests 78
  9. 9 IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ28 contests 77
  10. 10 FIRE DANCER BBQ33 contests 76

Most Category Wins

First place in a meat

  1. 1 GETTIN' BASTED38 contests 19
  2. 2 CLARK CREW BBQ39 contests 19
  3. 3 Organizer Portal34 contests 18
  4. 4 BIG POPPA SMOKERS26 contests 17
  5. 5 IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ28 contests 17
  6. 6 MISS PIGGY'S U.K.18 contests 14
  7. 7 SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ40 contests 14
  8. 8 JO-BAWB'S BBQ27 contests 13
  9. 9 LONESTAR SMOKE RANGERS20 contests 12
  10. 10 RURAL ROUTE BBQ23 contests 12

Most Perfect 180s

Six judges, every card a nine

  1. 1 BIG POPPA SMOKERS26 contests 8
  2. 2 Organizer Portal34 contests 7
  3. 3 GETTIN' BASTED38 contests 6
  4. 4 CLARK CREW BBQ39 contests 6
  5. 5 2 WORTHLESS NUTS, NATURAL BORN GRILLERS11 contests 5
  6. 6 IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ28 contests 5
  7. 7 BIG JT'S SMOKIN BBQ22 contests 4
  8. 8 RURAL ROUTE BBQ23 contests 4
  9. 9 Extra Mile BBQ25 contests 4
  10. 10 BUFFALO'S BBQ29 contests 4

Best Average Score

Master overall, 8+ contests

  1. 1 BIG POPPA SMOKERS26 contests 692.30
  2. 2 IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ28 contests 691.76
  3. 3 Organizer Portal34 contests 691.47
  4. 4 CAJUN BLAZE11 contests 689.23
  5. 5 CLARK CREW BBQ39 contests 688.44
  6. 6 LADY OF Q14 contests 687.71
  7. 7 SWIGGIN PIG21 contests 687.71
  8. 8 WARREN COUNTY PORK CHOPPERS30 contests 687.66
  9. 9 Q-BONES BBQ20 contests 687.54
  10. 10 QUE'N STEW'N & BREW'N33 contests 687.45

Most Consistent

Share of the field beaten, 10+ contests

  1. 1 IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ28 contests 94%
  2. 2 BIG POPPA SMOKERS26 contests 91%
  3. 3 CLARK CREW BBQ39 contests 91%
  4. 4 BUNCH OF SWINES12 contests 90%
  5. 5 BIG BROTHERS BBQ13 contests 90%
  6. 6 SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ40 contests 89%
  7. 7 R BUTTS R SMOKIN17 contests 89%
  8. 8 Q-BONES BBQ20 contests 88%
  9. 9 BIG T'Z Q CRU14 contests 87%
  10. 10 BIG B'S DOWN-N-DIRTY BBQ11 contests 87%

Most Contests Cooked

Contests entered

  1. 1 Smoke-A-Holics5 GCs · 13 states 46
  2. 2 SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ5 GCs · 11 states 40
  3. 3 CLARK CREW BBQ13 GCs · 12 states 39
  4. 4 THE AMERICAN DREAM BBQ10 GCs · 18 states 38
  5. 5 GETTIN' BASTED5 GCs · 10 states 38
  6. 6 SMOKE ON THIS5 GCs · 8 states 36
  7. 7 TRUE SMOKE BBQ1 GC · 8 states 35
  8. 8 Organizer Portal8 GCs · 9 states 34
  9. 9 QUAU3 GCs · 13 states 34
  10. 10 FIRE DANCER BBQ5 GCs · 9 states 33

Most States Cooked In

States and provinces

  1. 1 THE AMERICAN DREAM BBQ38 contests 18
  2. 2 IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ28 contests 17
  3. 3 Rogue Hog BBQ26 contests 17
  4. 4 Backdraft BBQ33 contests 14
  5. 5 SMOKIN MO'S BBQ28 contests 14
  6. 6 Smoke-A-Holics46 contests 13
  7. 7 QUAU34 contests 13
  8. 8 3 EYZ BBQ26 contests 13
  9. 9 SMOKIN HOGGZ BBQ - MA24 contests 13
  10. 10 CLARK CREW BBQ39 contests 12

Biggest Rating Climbs

Power rating gained over the season

  1. 1 Smoke-A-Holics44 rated contests · now #974 +180
  2. 2 Three Hog Night Smokers25 rated contests · now #425 +163
  3. 3 CLARK CREW BBQ37 rated contests · now #2 +155
  4. 4 SWINE AND SHINE BBQ32 rated contests · now #521 +153
  5. 5 CONTAGIOUS Q20 rated contests · now #132 +141
  6. 6 ROCKIN ROBYNS BBQ16 rated contests · now #59 +140
  7. 7 Q-BONES BBQ19 rated contests · now #58 +140
  8. 8 OLD VIRGINIA SMOKE25 rated contests · now #108 +136
  9. 9 BREWMASTERS BAR-B-QUE17 rated contests · now #308 +136
  10. 10 TRUCKY'S TRUE BLU BBQ'UE14 rated contests · now #604 +131

Best Rookie Seasons

First contest on record this season

  1. 1 THE UNIVERSITY OF QUE8 contests · best 685.04 1 GC
  2. 2 Hammer & Tongs6 contests · best 672.69 1 GC
  3. 3 RIDDLEQ'S5 contests · best 666.82 1 GC
  4. 4 BBQ4ALL INTERNATIONAL4 contests · best 671.41 1 GC
  5. 5 EUREKA SMOKE3 contests · best 667.31 1 GC
  6. 6 BORDERTOWN BAR B QUE2 contests · best 671.93 1 GC
  7. 7 Bone Daddy's Mystic BBQ Crewe2 contests · best 682.86 1 GC
  8. 8 Da Snapper Crew2 contests · best 620.18 1 GC
  9. 9 FAT DAD'S BBQ2 contests · best 681.67 1 GC
  10. 10 BOAR HOGS COMPETITION BAR-B-Q-TEAM1 contest · best 656.49 1 GC

Best Chicken

Out of 180

  1. 1 BIG POPPA SMOKERSCertified BBQ Judging Class - Cancelled 180.0000
  2. 2 Blitzkrieg BBQLakeland Pig Festival 180.0000
  3. 3 Killer B's BBQBrasstown Valley's BBQ Throwdown - GBC Qualifier (TEAM SPOTS AVAILABLE --- JUDGES FULL) 180.0000
  4. 4 Serial GrillerSmokin In The Square 180.0000
  5. 5 HOLLYWOOD N SWINEFlames on the Flint 180.0000
  6. 6 JO-BAWB'S BBQ3rd Annual Smokin At The Run 180.0000
  7. 7 QUAU2nd Annual Smokin At The Run Shootout 180.0000
  8. 8 Three Hog Night Smokers2nd Annual Smokin At The Run Shootout 180.0000
  9. 9 CAVEMAN CUISINE2nd Annual Smokin At The Run Shootout 180.0000
  10. 10 CLARK CREW BBQ2nd Annual Smokin At The Run Shootout 180.0000

Best Pork Ribs

Out of 180

  1. 1 DRY 2 DA BONE6th Annual Lake Havasu Music Brews & BBQ Championship 180.0000
  2. 2 WINK'S BARBEQUEFire Ant Festival BBQ Bash 180.0000
  3. 3 HEAVENLY MANNA BBQFifth Annual Bull Moose 180.0000
  4. 4 SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ7th Annual Main Street BBQ & Bluesfest 180.0000
  5. 5 HEAVENLY HAWGS GABBQ Boogie & Blues (GBC Qualifier) 180.0000
  6. 6 BUCKSHOT BBQ - TXApple Blossom BBQ Contest 180.0000
  7. 7 WHEN PIGS DIEApple Blossom BBQ Contest 180.0000
  8. 8 2 WORTHLESS NUTS, NATURAL BORN GRILLERSMississippi Springfest BBQ Contest 180.0000
  9. 9 NAUGHTY NURSES BBQWheatstock Grill Off 180.0000
  10. 10 Extra Mile BBQWBA Pork In The Park 180.0000

Best Pork

Out of 180

  1. 1 COOL GRILLING6th Annual Lake Havasu Music Brews & BBQ Championship 180.0000
  2. 2 CLARK CREW BBQ3rd Annual Smokin At The Run 180.0000
  3. 3 BREWMASTERS BAR-B-QUE3rd Annual Smokin At The Run 180.0000
  4. 4 4 LEGS UP BBQ3rd Annual Smokin At The Run 180.0000
  5. 5 THE PIT CREW BBQ OF AZ4th Annual Santa Anita Winners' Circle BBQ Championship 180.0000
  6. 6 PIG WHISPERERSFire Ant Festival BBQ Bash 180.0000
  7. 7 SWINE CRUEFifth Annual Bull Moose 180.0000
  8. 8 OKLAHOMA JOE'S SERIOUS QUESmokin On Big Creek BBQ Contest Benefiting Operation BBQ Relief (Judges Full) 180.0000
  9. 9 J & B'S BBQCornelia Apple Blossom BBQ Festival 180.0000
  10. 10 RURAL ROUTE BBQ7th Annual Main Street BBQ & Bluesfest 180.0000

Best Brisket

Out of 180

  1. 1 BIG POPPA SMOKERS6th Annual Lake Havasu Music Brews & BBQ Championship 180.0000
  2. 2 One2BBQ"Come to Compete, Come to Learn" NBBQA Championship 180.0000
  3. 3 ROLLIN' SMOKE COMPETITION QUEFlames on the Flint 180.0000
  4. 4 BOOTYQUEDon't Be Cruel BBQ Duel 180.0000
  5. 5 IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQSmokin Blues & BBQ 180.0000
  6. 6 THE BLUE BLOODSSmokin Blues & BBQ 180.0000
  7. 7 UNCULTURED SWINESmokin' Butts & Tires - Cookoff and Car Show (GBC Qualifier) 180.0000
  8. 8 SMOKIN' 42 BBQFire Ant Festival BBQ Bash 180.0000
  9. 9 PELLET ENVYSmoke in the Spring 180.0000
  10. 10 PIG WHISPERERSCornelia Apple Blossom BBQ Festival 180.0000

Biggest Fields

Teams at one contest

  1. 1 36th Annual American Royal World Series of Barbeque- Openwon by GRILLS GONE WILD IOWA 606
  2. 2 36th Annual American Royal World Series of Barbeque- Invitationalwon by THE SMOKING HILLS 187
  3. 3 Great Lenexa BBQ Battle - Kansas State Championshipwon by PELLET ENVY 183
  4. 4 Shawnee Great Grillers State Championshipwon by BREW 'N' BAR-B-QUE 112
  5. 5 4th Annual Santa Anita Winners' Circle BBQ Championshipwon by SMOKIN MO'S BBQ 100
  6. 6 Triple Threat BBQ Beer and Music Festivalwon by SAUCE THIS BBQ 99
  7. 7 Smoke in the Springwon by IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ 97
  8. 8 Don't Be Cruel BBQ Duelwon by SWINE LIFE 94
  9. 9 Jack Daniel's World Championship Invitation Barbecue (JUDGES BY INVITATION ONLY)won by COOL SMOKE 93
  10. 10 SC Festival of Discovery (TEAMS AND JUDGES FULL)won by BUB-BA-Q 90

Closest Finishes

Points between first and second

  1. 1 One2BBQover ABLE ACRES BBQ · Smoke on the Square: In Memory of David Harness 0.0112
  2. 2 SLAPS BBQover TRUEBUD BBQ · Smokin' on Oak 0.0116
  3. 3 MOYERS COMPETITION BAR-B-Q TEAMover HICKORY PRIME · Smokin' Butts & Tires - Cookoff and Car Show (GBC Qualifier) 0.0116
  4. 4 PARROTHEAD SMOKERSover OVERSIZE LOAD BBQ · BBQ in the Bluffs 0.0116
  5. 5 DIRT ROAD BBQover Sublime BBQ · Smoke Out in the Valley 0.0224
  6. 6 JACK'S OLD SOUTHover RED EYED SMOKERS · Sam's Club National BBQ Tour 0.0228
  7. 7 Rogue Hog BBQover QUE AND A HALF MEN · Smokin' at the Ball Park BBQ Fest 0.0228
  8. 8 MONSTER-QUEover RURAL ROUTE BBQ · Wine, Brew & Bar-B-Que Too! 0.0228
  9. 9 BIG BROTHERS BBQover DIRT ROAD BBQ · Central Iowa Expo BBQ 0.0228
  10. 10 HotMess BBQover BREWMASTERS BAR-B-QUE · Cape Jaycees BBQ Fest 0.0228

Biggest Winning Margins

Points clear of second

  1. 1 MISS PIGGY'S U.K.over LETZQ · Smoke in the North 34.39
  2. 2 BOAR HOGS COMPETITION BAR-B-Q-TEAMover Groundhog Smokers · 2015 BBQ & Brew (BACKYARD CONTEST ONLY) 30.86
  3. 3 3 EYZ BBQover CHIX, SWINE & BOVINE BBQ · Naptown barBAYq Contest and Music Festival 23.52
  4. 4 Pork Butt Paradiseover SQUEALING FOR VENGEANCE · Rock'N RibFest 2015 21.04
  5. 5 JO-BAWB'S BBQover Boxer Q BBQ · Smoke on the Water 20.61

Biggest Upsets

The winner’s chance on pre-contest ratings

  1. 1 BARK BROTHERS BBQMadison Ribberfest BBQ & Blues Festival 7%
  2. 2 MattDaddy's BBQWhen Pigs Fly South 9%
  3. 3 AccutechPlant City Pig Jam - State Championship BBQ Contest 10%
  4. 4 Freeman Brothers BBQGold Ribbin' BBQ Fest of Greater Green Bay 10%
  5. 5 INDIGO PIGRossville Tall Corn Festival BBQ Contest 10%
  6. 6 Totally SaucedMed City BBQ & Musicfest 11%
  7. 7 Smoke Masters MafiaRacing for the BBQ 12%
  8. 8 Q-FACTORSevierville Bloomin' BBQ and Bluegrass Festival 12%
  9. 9 EL REY SMOKERS COMPETITION TEAMRaider Red Meats BBQ and Ribeye Championship 12%
  10. 10 MUD'S BBQRed, White and BBQ (Day 1) 12%

Busiest States

Contests held · average field

  1. 1 Missouriaverage field 52 59
  2. 2 Georgiaaverage field 39 52
  3. 3 Kansasaverage field 45 48
  4. 4 Californiaaverage field 43 31
  5. 5 Virginiaaverage field 32 30
  6. 6 Tennesseeaverage field 39 29
  7. 7 Alabamaaverage field 31 26
  8. 8 North Carolinaaverage field 46 24
  9. 9 Oklahomaaverage field 42 24
  10. 10 Illinoisaverage field 38 23
Section BMeat by MeatB2

How each meat scored across the season, both series, out of 180.

MeatAverageAvg. winnerEntries180sper 1,000WinnersBest of the year
Chicken 164.22 177.35 18,509 117 6.3 347 BIG POPPA SMOKERS 180
Pork Ribs 162.35 176.39 18,560 52 2.8 332 DRY 2 DA BONE 180
Pork 163.15 176.82 18,435 70 3.8 344 COOL GRILLING 180
Brisket 161.13 176.88 18,317 97 5.3 322 BIG POPPA SMOKERS 180
Section BMonth by MonthB3

Every month of the season. Each has an edition of its own, with every Grand Champion named.

MonthContestsTeamsTop scoreBiggest field180s
January 5 249 695.9428 LOOT N' BOOTY BBQ 62 Lakeland Pig Festival 2
February 8 361 704.5600 KNOCK UR SOX OFF BBQ 82 6th Annual Lake Havasu Music Brews & BBQ Championship 4
March 19 759 707.4400 QUAU 100 4th Annual Santa Anita Winners' Circle BBQ Championship 21
April 40 1,569 708.0116 UNCULTURED SWINE 99 Triple Threat BBQ Beer and Music Festival 27
May 79 2,408 712.5716 WARREN COUNTY PORK CHOPPERS 81 Bixby BBQ'N Blues Festival 61
June 73 2,200 709.1316 ZZYZX BAR.B.Q 183 Great Lenexa BBQ Battle - Kansas State Championship 45
July 59 1,736 707.4056 BRICKHEAD BBQ 90 SC Festival of Discovery (TEAMS AND JUDGES FULL) 32
August 57 1,839 706.8688 Smoke-A-Holics 70 New Holland Summer Fest 32
September 76 2,190 714.8800 JAESTAR BBQ 112 Shawnee Great Grillers State Championship 43
October 50 2,051 710.2860 BURNT FINGER BBQ 606 36th Annual American Royal World Series of Barbeque- Open 52
November 13 479 703.4056 SMOKIN MO'S BBQ 74 The National BBQ Cup 14
December 4 140 706.8460 LITTLE PIG TOWN BBQ 39 Calhoun KOA's Smokin Up the Campground (GBC Qualifier) 3
Section BThe Year Against the LastB4

2015 set against 2014.

Measure20152014Change
Contests scored 483 465 ▲ 18 (4%)
Teams competing 8,259 8,285 ▼ 26 (0%)
Team entries 18,424 17,853 ▲ 571 (3%)
Different Grand Champions 247 251 ▼ 4 (-2%)
Average field 38.6 38.8 ▼ 0.2 (-1%)
Biggest field 606 552 ▲ 54 (10%)
Average winning score 691.53 689.32 ▲ 2.21
Top score 714.8800 710.3088 ▲ 4.5712
Perfect 180s 336 252 ▲ 84 (33%)

Notes on the Season from the 2015 season page

  • Jan 9 → Dec 17 Season ran first and last contest on the 2015 calendar
  • 4.87 Average winning margin across 476 Master contests · 1 settled by tiebreaker
  • 19,189 Walks to the stage top-ten calls handed out in the four meats
  • 2,696 New teams first tracked contest anywhere was in 2015
  • 659 Contest series distinct recurring contests on the calendar
  • 22 contests Busiest weekend all on Sep 11, 2015
  • Brisket Toughest table lowest average of the four meats at 161.13
  • 4 Outside the rating invitationals and non-points contests that do not move a power rating
  • 26 Cancelled contests that came off the calendar
  • 196 Results still out of 690 contests on the 2015 calendar
Section CBack IssuesC1

Every season in review, and every month with scored results, back to the start of the record. ← 2014 in review 2016 in review → Latest edition

Seasons in review: 2026 · 2025 · 2024 · 2023 · 2022 · 2021 · 2020 · 2019 · 2018 · 2017 · 2016 · 2015 · 2014 · 2013 · 2012

2012 1 contest

The Smoke Ring

Published by the Saucy Rossy KCBS Helper App, a free community tool from Saucy Rossy BBQ. Set by machine from the public contest listings at kcbs.us.

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Corrections

Every figure on this page is computed from published results — no editorial judgement, and no hand entry. The Team of the Year standings are KCBS’s own. Where a name is wrong or a contest is missing, it is wrong at the source or in the match: see About, or Scoring explained.

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The Smoke Ring is not a publication of the Kansas City Barbeque Society, and has no connection to it beyond reading what KCBS publishes. Every contest here links back to its official page.

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