SaucyRossyBBQ KCBS Helper

← The latest edition · The 2016 season page

The annual edition

Every sanctioned contest scored in 2016.

Covering KCBS-sanctioned contests

The Smoke Ring

Competition Barbecue’s Paper of Record

The Index

Annual edition Saturday, December 31, 2016 Price: One Coffee

The 2016 Season in Review

475 contests scored
7,747 teams competing
712.5944 top score, out of 720 VALLEY OAKS STEAK COMPANY
17,965 team entries
243 different Grand Champions
95 first-time winners
148 won exactly once
353 perfect 180s
18,821 top-ten calls
2,213 new teams
49.9% of last year’s teams came back
557 biggest field
38 average field
693.30 average winning score
627.33 lowest winning score
5.43 average winning margin
1 settled by tiebreaker
64 states & provinces
18 countries
7 state championships
5 invitationals
0 reps at the table
2.3 contests per team
40 cancelled

Team of the Year

PORKY BUTTS BBQ Is 2016 Team of the Year

2,846 points to top the KCBS Master Series standings, ahead of IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ.

By The Smoke Ring Staff

2,846
Master Series Team of the Year points

PORKY BUTTS BBQ finished 2016 as KCBS Master Series Team of the Year on 2,846 points, with IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ second.

Across 2016, 475 sanctioned contests were scored, across 64 states and provinces, drawing 7,747 teams to the turn-in table. Judges made 18,821 top-ten calls and handed out 353 perfect 180s. 2,213 teams appear in the record for the first time. The top tens run on B1.

  • Chicken: IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ
  • Pork Ribs: PORKY BUTTS BBQ
  • Pork: SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ
  • 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 — IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ; Pork Ribs — PORKY BUTTS BBQ; Pork — SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ; Brisket — IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ.

Section AThe Year in BriefA3

By invitation only

913 BBQ Wins the American Royal Invitational

Best of 180 invited teams, with SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ in reserve — a win for the record book that leaves the power rating alone.

180 invited teams, one Grand Champion

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — 913 BBQ won 37th Annual American Royal World Series of Barbecue (INVITATIONAL), best of 180 invited teams; SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ took reserve. An invite-only field, so it leaves the power rating alone and goes straight into the record book.

  • top score 705.0740
  • 5 invitationals in 2016
  • not in the power rating

Score of the year

VALLEY OAKS STEAK COMPANY Turns In the Year’s Best Card

712.5944 out of 720 at Smoking in the Golden Valley — the highest Master overall scored in 2016.

712.5944 Master overall, out of 720

CLINTON, Mo. — VALLEY OAKS STEAK COMPANY put up 712.5944 at Smoking in the Golden Valley — the highest overall of the year.

Clean sweep

VALLEY OAKS STEAK COMPANY Sweeps All Four Meats at Smoking in the Golden Valley

First in chicken, ribs, pork and brisket, and the Grand Championship that goes with it.

4 of 4 meats won at one contest

CLINTON, Mo. — VALLEY OAKS STEAK COMPANY won every meat at Smoking in the Golden Valley — chicken, ribs, pork and brisket.

  • Chicken
  • Pork Ribs
  • Pork
  • Brisket
  • and the GC

Hottest hand

Eleven Grand Championships in 2016 for PORKY BUTTS BBQ

Nobody else in the field ran a hotter hand.

11× Grand Championships

PORKY BUTTS BBQ took 11 Grand Championships in 2016.

They will not let it go

Three Straight at Hill City Wine Brew & BBQ for PARROTHEAD SMOKERS

Every edition of Hill City Wine Brew & BBQ since 2014 has gone the same way.

3 in a row wins at this contest

HILL CITY, S.D. — PARROTHEAD SMOKERS won Hill City Wine Brew & BBQ again — 3 straight editions of this contest.

  • 2014–2016
  • field of 31

First one ever

SMOKIN BAD HABIT Wins Its First, on the 56th Try

A first Grand Championship at Holmes Drywall BBQ Cookoff (Invitational Competitor's Series), after 56 contests in the record.

56th contest — and their first GC

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — SMOKIN BAD HABIT won their first Grand Championship at Holmes Drywall BBQ Cookoff (Invitational Competitor's Series), in their 56th contest in the data.

  • 11 Oct

Also in 2016

The Long Shot Comes In at 24th Annual State BBQ Championship of Nebraska

HELPING U BBQ won 24th Annual State BBQ Championship of Nebraska over top-rated CLARK CREW BBQ as the ratings underdog.

Judges Hand Out 353 Perfect 180s

Six judges, every card a 9: 353 perfect 180s were handed out in 2016.

Decided by 0.0000 of a Point

BOOTYQUE edged HOT COLE'S BBQ by 0.0000 at Fire in the Valley Red Bank BBQ.

SWAMP BOYS Back on Top After Three Years

SWAMP BOYS won Plant City Pig Jam — their first Grand Championship since August 2013, after 34 contests without one.

LUCKY'S Q Sets the Record at Sam's Club National BBQ Tour

LUCKY'S Q put up 705.7144 at Sam's Club National BBQ Tour (Regional) — the best overall in 5 editions of the contest on record, past the old mark of 694.8344.

UNCLE TOAD'S COMPETITION BBQ Climbs 203 Rating Points

UNCLE TOAD'S COMPETITION BBQ gained 203 rating points across 30 contests — the biggest climb of the year.

95 Teams Win Their First Grand Championship

95 teams won their first Grand Championship on record in 2016 — the biggest of them UNCLE BC'S at Bixby BBQ'N Blues Festival, against 83 teams.

GETTIN' BASTED Collects Nine Perfect 180s

GETTIN' BASTED turned in 9 perfect 180s in 2016, the most of any team.

Seven State Champions Crowned

7 state championships were decided in 2016. The biggest, Great Lenexa BBQ Battle-Kansas State Championship (183 teams), went to BREW 'N' BAR-B-QUE.

K-TOWN DADDY'S BBQ Leads the Class of 2016

K-TOWN DADDY'S BBQ cooked their first contest on record in 2016 and won 1 Grand Championship — the best season of 2,213 new teams.

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

IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ finished ahead of 95% of the field on average across 37 Master contests in 2016 — the steadiest season of anyone with 10 or more.

Smokey and the Pirate Runs Away With Smoke on the River

Smokey and the Pirate won Smoke on the River by 24.6628 points over TOO ASHAMED TO NAME — the widest winning margin of the year.

Brisket Was the Hardest Meat of 2016

Brisket was the hardest meat to score in 2016: it averaged 161.49, against 164.60 for chicken.

557 Teams Roll Into Kansas City

37th Annual American Royal World Series of Barbecue (OPEN) drew 557 teams, and IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ won it.

CLARK CREW BBQ Cooks Its 100th Contest

CLARK CREW BBQ cooked their 100th contest on record at Cherokee Strip BBQ Cook-Off, with 27 Grand Championships along the way.

It Took 693.30 to Win This Year

A Master Series win took an average of 693.30 in 2016, up 1.77 on 691.53 in 2015.

Nobody Hauled Further Than Smoke-A-Holics

Smoke-A-Holics cooked 46 contests in 2016 — nobody hauled the rig further.

913 BBQ Wins American Royal World Series of Barbecue Without Winning a Meat

913 BBQ won 37th Annual American Royal World Series of Barbecue (INVITATIONAL) without winning a single meat — their best category finish was 2nd.

A New Contest Opens in Kansas City

37th Annual American Royal World Series of Barbecue (INVITATIONAL) ran for the first time on record, drawing 180 teams, and 913 BBQ won it. Somebody put in the work to make a new contest happen.

OLD VIRGINIA SMOKE Takes Reserve Seven Times

OLD VIRGINIA SMOKE finished second overall 7 times in 2016 without a Grand Championship — one place short every time.

22 Contests on One Friday

22 sanctioned contests were cooked on 3 Jun alone.

Kansas Hosts 50 Contests, More Than Anywhere

Kansas held 50 contests in 2016, more than anywhere else, with an average field of 64.

June Was the Busiest Month, With 83 Contests

June 2016 was the busiest month of 2016: 83 contests scored and 2,402 teams cooking. Read the June 2016 edition.

Section ABy InvitationA4

Every invitational of 2016. 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 95 teams won one for the first time on record — the 24 biggest fields shown

  1. UNCLE BC'S Bixby BBQ'N Blues Festival May 6 · 83 teams
  2. QUETOPIA Minnesota in May May 13 · 71 teams
  3. HELPING U BBQ 24th Annual State BBQ Championship of Nebraska Aug 5 · 70 teams
  4. BUCKSHOT BBQ - TX Cedar Fest BBQ Apr 1 · 67 teams
  5. WILD BUNCH BUTT BURNERS The Whistlestop Festival & Rocket City BBQ May 6 · 67 teams
  6. CARTER-QUE-ING Papa Joe's Banjo-B-Que & Music Festival (GBC Qualifier) May 27 · 66 teams
  7. FLAMING PIG BBQ (SE) Tony Stone Low & Slow BBQ Competition May 14 · 65 teams
  8. EAT MOR BUTT BBQ Madison Ribberfest BBQ & Blues Festisval Aug 19 · 63 teams
  9. B & C SMOKERS East Central State BBQ Cook-Off, Paola Roots Festival Aug 26 · 61 teams
  10. BIG BLUE QUE High on the Hog Festival Apr 15 · 56 teams
  11. SMOKING BUTT HEADS Uptown Lexington BBQ Capital Cook Off Apr 22 · 54 teams
  12. Priorville BBQ Ointoberfest BBQ Cookoff Sep 23 · 54 teams
  13. Outsiders BBQ Up In smoke on the Square Jun 3 · 52 teams
  14. WHITEWATER BBQ COMPANY Best of the Midwest BBQ Cook-off Oct 21 · 51 teams
  15. CAN'T SMOKE THIS Bynum School's Best of the Basin Apr 22 · 46 teams
  16. MCADOO HEIGHTS BBQ Peak City Pigfest Jun 17 · 46 teams
  17. HUNKA HUNKA BURNIN' RUB Kelley Wilson Memorial BBQ Competition (KWBBQ) Jun 3 · 45 teams
  18. Three Hog Night Smokers Stillwater Elks Lodge Blazathon Apr 1 · 44 teams
  19. Top Gun Barbecue Que by the Sea Sep 17 · 44 teams
  20. TRIPLE 5 COMPETITION BBQ Downtown Jonesboro BBQ Festival Sep 30 · 44 teams
  21. JAMBO PITS Chillin & Grillin Apr 8 · 43 teams
  22. SCUFFLETOWN SMOKERS Jim Beam BBQ Classic Sep 30 · 43 teams
  23. MEAT @ SLIMS Shotgun Fred BBQ Showdown Feb 25 · 42 teams
  24. ROCKIN ROBYNS BBQ Interstate BBQ Festival Apr 15 · 41 teams

The Rookie Class Teams whose first contest on record came in 2016 — 2,213 of them

The whole class of 2016 →

Section BThe Top TensB1

22 standings from the 2016 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 VALLEY OAKS STEAK COMPANYSmoking in the Golden Valley 712.5944
  2. 2 IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQIndio California State BBQ Championship & Festival ( Judges Full) 712.5828
  3. 3 IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQSam's Club National BBQ Tour Championship 711.9772
  4. 4 DIRT ROAD BBQ8th Annual VFW Post 846 BBQ Challenge 710.8460
  5. 5 BRICKHEAD BBQBlue Ridge BBQ & Music Festival 710.2972
  6. 6 QUETOPIAMankato Cookout Day 1 710.2744
  7. 7 ATLANTA BBQ STORERock'n Ribville (GBC Qualifier) 709.7144
  8. 8 HOT COLE'S BBQDickson County Smoke Fest 709.7028
  9. 9 GETTIN' BASTEDBlues Hog BBQ & Music Fest 709.6800
  10. 10 LITTLE PIG TOWN BBQThe Kansas Smithfield Guinea Pig 709.1200

Most Grand Championships

Contests won, counted once per contest

  1. 1 PORKY BUTTS BBQ39 contests · 30 top tens 11
  2. 2 BIG POPPA SMOKERS26 contests · 23 top tens 10
  3. 3 REDNECK SCIENTIFIC30 contests · 27 top tens 10
  4. 4 IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ37 contests · 34 top tens 10
  5. 5 CHECKERED FLAG 500 BBQ30 contests · 23 top tens 8
  6. 6 GREY STREET BBQ22 contests · 16 top tens 6
  7. 7 One2BBQ23 contests · 18 top tens 6
  8. 8 HICKORY PRIME35 contests · 16 top tens 6
  9. 9 SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ37 contests · 31 top tens 6
  10. 10 GETTIN' BASTED39 contests · 28 top tens 6

Most Reserve Championships

Second overall

  1. 1 IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ10 GCs · 37 contests 11
  2. 2 SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ6 GCs · 37 contests 9
  3. 3 Organizer Portal4 GCs · 35 contests 8
  4. 4 SAUCED! BBQ TEAM5 GCs · 40 contests 8
  5. 5 LUCKY'S Q5 GCs · 24 contests 7
  6. 6 OLD VIRGINIA SMOKE0 GCs · 29 contests 7
  7. 7 UNCLE TOAD'S COMPETITION BBQ2 GCs · 31 contests 7
  8. 8 South Pork2 GCs · 30 contests 5
  9. 9 GETTIN' BASTED6 GCs · 39 contests 5
  10. 10 BUNCH OF SWINES3 GCs · 14 contests 4

Most Top-Ten Finishes

Top ten overall

  1. 1 IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQof 37 contests 34
  2. 2 Smoke-A-Holicsof 46 contests 34
  3. 3 SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQof 37 contests 31
  4. 4 CLARK CREW BBQof 40 contests 31
  5. 5 PORKY BUTTS BBQof 39 contests 30
  6. 6 Organizer Portalof 35 contests 29
  7. 7 GETTIN' BASTEDof 39 contests 28
  8. 8 SAUCED! BBQ TEAMof 40 contests 28
  9. 9 REDNECK SCIENTIFICof 30 contests 27
  10. 10 THE SMOKING HILLSof 39 contests 27

Most Calls

Top-ten finishes in the four meats

  1. 1 IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ37 contests 99
  2. 2 SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ37 contests 96
  3. 3 Smoke-A-Holics46 contests 95
  4. 4 CLARK CREW BBQ40 contests 92
  5. 5 Organizer Portal35 contests 90
  6. 6 PORKY BUTTS BBQ39 contests 88
  7. 7 GETTIN' BASTED39 contests 84
  8. 8 SAUCED! BBQ TEAM40 contests 82
  9. 9 BIG POPPA SMOKERS26 contests 76
  10. 10 THE SMOKING HILLS39 contests 76

Most Category Wins

First place in a meat

  1. 1 IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ37 contests 27
  2. 2 SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ37 contests 18
  3. 3 PORKY BUTTS BBQ39 contests 18
  4. 4 GETTIN' BASTED39 contests 17
  5. 5 CHECKERED FLAG 500 BBQ30 contests 16
  6. 6 BIG POPPA SMOKERS26 contests 15
  7. 7 LUCKY'S Q24 contests 14
  8. 8 913 BBQ30 contests 14
  9. 9 BOOTYQUE35 contests 14
  10. 10 REDNECK SCIENTIFIC30 contests 13

Most Perfect 180s

Six judges, every card a nine

  1. 1 GETTIN' BASTED39 contests 9
  2. 2 Organizer Portal35 contests 8
  3. 3 IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ37 contests 8
  4. 4 913 BBQ30 contests 7
  5. 5 SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ37 contests 7
  6. 6 REDNECK SCIENTIFIC30 contests 6
  7. 7 BOOTYQUE35 contests 6
  8. 8 VICTORY LANE BBQ16 contests 5
  9. 9 KILLER HOGS22 contests 5
  10. 10 JO-BAWB'S BBQ24 contests 5

Best Average Score

Master overall, 8+ contests

  1. 1 Organizer Portal35 contests 693.01
  2. 2 HOT COLE'S BBQ13 contests 692.46
  3. 3 MOYERS COMPETITION BAR-B-Q TEAM9 contests 692.37
  4. 4 SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ37 contests 692.26
  5. 5 BIG POPPA SMOKERS26 contests 691.90
  6. 6 IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ37 contests 691.79
  7. 7 LUCKY'S Q24 contests 690.73
  8. 8 LADY OF Q13 contests 690.66
  9. 9 SWIGGIN PIG17 contests 689.92
  10. 10 REDNECK SCIENTIFIC30 contests 689.56

Most Consistent

Share of the field beaten, 10+ contests

  1. 1 IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ37 contests 95%
  2. 2 LUCKY'S Q24 contests 94%
  3. 3 BUNCH OF SWINES14 contests 91%
  4. 4 SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ37 contests 91%
  5. 5 IQ - NETHERLANDS12 contests 91%
  6. 6 BIG POPPA SMOKERS26 contests 91%
  7. 7 LADY OF Q13 contests 90%
  8. 8 REDNECK SCIENTIFIC30 contests 90%
  9. 9 Organizer Portal35 contests 88%
  10. 10 SAUCE THIS BBQ14 contests 88%

Most Contests Cooked

Contests entered

  1. 1 Smoke-A-Holics3 GCs · 19 states 46
  2. 2 CLARK CREW BBQ6 GCs · 14 states 40
  3. 3 SAUCED! BBQ TEAM5 GCs · 13 states 40
  4. 4 PORKY BUTTS BBQ11 GCs · 12 states 39
  5. 5 GETTIN' BASTED6 GCs · 14 states 39
  6. 6 THE SMOKING HILLS1 GC · 11 states 39
  7. 7 IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ10 GCs · 15 states 37
  8. 8 SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ6 GCs · 12 states 37
  9. 9 HICKORY PRIME6 GCs · 11 states 35
  10. 10 BOOTYQUE4 GCs · 16 states 35

Most States Cooked In

States and provinces

  1. 1 Smoke-A-Holics46 contests 19
  2. 2 BOOTYQUE35 contests 16
  3. 3 IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ37 contests 15
  4. 4 OLD VIRGINIA SMOKE29 contests 15
  5. 5 SMOKIN HOGGZ BBQ - MA21 contests 15
  6. 6 CLARK CREW BBQ40 contests 14
  7. 7 GETTIN' BASTED39 contests 14
  8. 8 APORKALYPSE NOW21 contests 14
  9. 9 MISS PIGGY'S U.K.18 contests 14
  10. 10 SAUCED! BBQ TEAM40 contests 13

Biggest Rating Climbs

Power rating gained over the season

  1. 1 UNCLE TOAD'S COMPETITION BBQ30 rated contests · now #534 +203
  2. 2 HICKORY AND SPICE BBQ23 rated contests · now #37 +182
  3. 3 K-TOWN DADDY'S BBQ29 rated contests · now #1,320 +169
  4. 4 HUNKA HUNKA BURNIN' RUB27 rated contests · now #44 +164
  5. 5 SLAUGHTERHOUSE FIVE16 rated contests · now #90 +152
  6. 6 PORKY BUTTS BBQ37 rated contests · now #22 +147
  7. 7 913 BBQ28 rated contests · now #42 +142
  8. 8 BOOTYQUE34 rated contests · now #46 +141
  9. 9 KOSMOSQ.COM15 rated contests · now #568 +141
  10. 10 Sublime BBQ18 rated contests · now #96 +140

Best Rookie Seasons

First contest on record this season

  1. 1 K-TOWN DADDY'S BBQ29 contests · best 703.93 1 GC
  2. 2 WHITEWATER BBQ COMPANY11 contests · best 681.58 1 GC
  3. 3 UTAH BBQ COMPANY10 contests · best 691.39 1 GC
  4. 4 SUPER BBQ BROS. CANADA4 contests · best 666.91 1 GC
  5. 5 All Up In Ya Belly1 contest · best 627.33 1 GC
  6. 6 POPS' SMOKIN' BBQ20 contests · best 660.47 —
  7. 7 BUSH LEAGUE BBQ16 contests · best 693.63 —
  8. 8 KOSMOSQ.COM15 contests · best 693.69 —
  9. 9 White Squirrel BBQ14 contests · best 686.29 —
  10. 10 SWINE DINING GA11 contests · best 695.38 —

Best Chicken

Out of 180

  1. 1 J & B'S BBQBrasstown Valley's BBQ Throwdown (GBC Qualifier)- TEAMS FULL & JUDGES FULL 180.0000
  2. 2 QUE'N STEW'N & BREW'NSam's Club National BBQ Tour 180.0000
  3. 3 CAJUN BLAZETupelo BBQ Duel- Comp 1 180.0000
  4. 4 SAUCED! BBQ TEAMTupelo BBQ Duel- Comp 1 180.0000
  5. 5 QUE'N STEW'N & BREW'NTupelo BBQ Duel- Comp 2 180.0000
  6. 6 SMOKE ON THISTupelo BBQ Duel- Comp 2 180.0000
  7. 7 SLAPS BBQFirelake BBQ Cook Off 180.0000
  8. 8 FIRE DANCER BBQBlues Hog BBQ & Music Fest 180.0000
  9. 9 PELLET ENVYSmoke in the Spring 180.0000
  10. 10 YAZOO'S DELTA QShelby Forest Spring Fest Smokin' In the Forest 180.0000

Best Pork Ribs

Out of 180

  1. 1 SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQFlames on the Flint (GBC Qualifier) 180.0000
  2. 2 THE SMOKING HILLSTupelo BBQ Duel- Comp 1 180.0000
  3. 3 Organizer PortalTupelo BBQ Duel- Comp 2 180.0000
  4. 4 GETTIN' BASTEDBlues Hog BBQ & Music Fest 180.0000
  5. 5 BUFFALO'S BBQChillin & Grillin 180.0000
  6. 6 JO-BAWB'S BBQSam's Club National BBQ Tour 180.0000
  7. 7 WARREN COUNTY PORK CHOPPERSHigh on the Hog Festival 180.0000
  8. 8 The SpecialistsSouthaven Springfest 180.0000
  9. 9 BIG BUTTS NEED RUBBIN TOOMorris Twister Days BBQ Competition 180.0000
  10. 10 UNCLE TOAD'S COMPETITION BBQSmokin on the Water 2 180.0000

Best Pork

Out of 180

  1. 1 Porkaholics BarbequeSip & Swine BBQ Festival (GBC Qualifier) 180.0000
  2. 2 Goldie Locks & the Three PigsBoda Getta BBQ 180.0000
  3. 3 ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TNSmoke on the Shores 180.0000
  4. 4 KILLER HOGSTupelo BBQ Duel- Comp 1 180.0000
  5. 5 OKLAHOMA JOE'S SERIOUS QUETupelo BBQ Duel- Comp 2 180.0000
  6. 6 Rusty's BBQBarn Burner BBQ 180.0000
  7. 7 Smoke-A-HolicsFirelake BBQ Cook Off 180.0000
  8. 8 Smokin Hot J'sCedar Fest BBQ 180.0000
  9. 9 Chick Hooven Swine BBQSmoke in the Spring 180.0000
  10. 10 HUNKA HUNKA BURNIN' RUBThe Best Damn BBQ Contest at Smithville Lake 180.0000

Best Brisket

Out of 180

  1. 1 BUFFALO'S BBQNational Western BBQ Throwdown 180.0000
  2. 2 LUCKY'S QFire on Ice Barbecue World Championship 180.0000
  3. 3 SWIGGIN PIGSip & Swine BBQ Festival (GBC Qualifier) 180.0000
  4. 4 BIG POPPA SMOKERSSam's Club National BBQ Tour 180.0000
  5. 5 IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQSmokin In The Square 180.0000
  6. 6 Its 5 Oclock SomewhereSmokin In The Square 180.0000
  7. 7 Serial GrillerHamond BBQ 180.0000
  8. 8 GETTIN' BASTEDHamond BBQ 180.0000
  9. 9 BUFFALO'S BBQFirelake BBQ Cook Off 180.0000
  10. 10 JOUSTING PIGS BBQSmokin On Big Creek BBQ Contest Benefiting Operation BBQ Relief 180.0000

Biggest Fields

Teams at one contest

  1. 1 37th Annual American Royal World Series of Barbecue (OPEN)won by IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ 557
  2. 2 Great Lenexa BBQ Battle-Kansas State Championshipwon by BREW 'N' BAR-B-QUE 183
  3. 3 37th Annual American Royal World Series of Barbecue (INVITATIONAL)won by 913 BBQ 180
  4. 4 Shawnee Great Grillers State Championshipwon by BREW 'N' BAR-B-QUE 111
  5. 5 Smoke in the Springwon by CLARK CREW BBQ 109
  6. 6 Jack Daniel's World Championship Invitation Barbecue (JUDGES BY INVITATION ONLY)won by COOL SMOKE 96
  7. 7 Tupelo BBQ Duel- Comp 1won by CAJUN BLAZE 95
  8. 8 Flames on the Flint (GBC Qualifier)won by SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ 89
  9. 9 World Barbecue Championshipwon by CAJUN BLAZE 89
  10. 10 Bixby BBQ'N Blues Festivalwon by UNCLE BC'S 83

Closest Finishes

Points between first and second

  1. 1 SMOKIN BOYS AND HOT GRILLSover ACK-QUE · Hudson Valley Ribfest 0.0004
  2. 2 EAT MOR BUTT BBQover FOWL BUTT BBQ · Madison Ribberfest BBQ & Blues Festisval 0.0112
  3. 3 SON SEEKERS BBQover THE ALGOOD BAR-B-Q PIT CREW · Sam's Club National BBQ Tour 0.0116
  4. 4 THE BASIC BBQ TEAMover SMOKIN HOGGZ BBQ - MA · Smokin at the Ballpark BBQ Fest 0.0116
  5. 5 FOUR SMOKING GUYSover Rogue Hog BBQ · New London's Best BBQ Chef Competiton 0.0116
  6. 6 913 BBQover BULL CREEK BBQ · Border War Barbeque 0.0116
  7. 7 JO-BAWB'S BBQover 4 LEGS UP BBQ · Jammin' in JC BBQ Contest 0.0228
  8. 8 HICKORY PRIMEover MIDNIGHT BURN · Mountain High BBQ Festival & Car Show 0.0340
  9. 9 HICKORY PRIMEover WOLF'S REVENGE BBQ · Chesapeake Jubilee 0.0340
  10. 10 APORKALYPSE NOWover BULL RUSH BBQ · Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle 0.0344

Biggest Winning Margins

Points clear of second

  1. 1 Smokey and the Pirateover TOO ASHAMED TO NAME · Smoke on the River 24.66
  2. 2 THE BASIC BBQ TEAMover SMOKIN HOGGZ BBQ - MA · Nostrano Garlic Festival Presents: Great Maine BBQ Challenge at Smuggler's Den Campground 22.39
  3. 3 BULL RUSH BBQover BOOG-A-LOU SMOKE CREW · Fitzgerald Pig Pickin 21.75
  4. 4 REDNECK SCIENTIFICover 412Q · Boydton's Big Bad BBQ 21.74
  5. 5 IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQover WOODWARD BARBEQUE · Red, White & BBQ (Day 1) 21.20

Biggest Upsets

The winner’s chance on pre-contest ratings

  1. 1 HELPING U BBQ24th Annual State BBQ Championship of Nebraska 10%
  2. 2 CARTER-QUE-INGPapa Joe's Banjo-B-Que & Music Festival (GBC Qualifier) 10%
  3. 3 BUCKSHOT BBQ - TXCedar Fest BBQ 11%
  4. 4 Top Gun BarbecueQue by the Sea 11%
  5. 5 Cool SmokeJack Daniel's World Championship Invitation Barbecue (JUDGES BY INVITATION ONLY) 11%
  6. 6 TRIPLE 5 COMPETITION BBQDowntown Jonesboro BBQ Festival 11%
  7. 7 43RD PARALLEL BBQHog and Steer Barbecue Competition and Festival 12%
  8. 8 MAJOR Q BBQClassic City BBQ Fest (GBC Qualifier) 12%
  9. 9 QUETOPIAMankato Cookout Day 1 12%
  10. 10 WICHITA SWINEMENThe Dodge City Days Smokin Saddles BBQ Contest 13%

Busiest States

Contests held · average field

  1. 1 Kansasaverage field 64 50
  2. 2 Missouriaverage field 36 49
  3. 3 Georgiaaverage field 40 44
  4. 4 Californiaaverage field 36 43
  5. 5 Tennesseeaverage field 37 37
  6. 6 Oklahomaaverage field 41 27
  7. 7 Alabamaaverage field 39 25
  8. 8 Wisconsinaverage field 36 25
  9. 9 Texasaverage field 44 23
  10. 10 North Carolinaaverage field 43 20
Section BMeat by MeatB2

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

MeatAverageAvg. winnerEntries180sper 1,000WinnersBest of the year
Chicken 164.60 177.38 17,996 102 5.7 334 J & B'S BBQ 180
Pork Ribs 162.85 176.56 18,063 53 2.9 334 SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ 180
Pork 163.65 177.20 17,946 88 4.9 317 Porkaholics Barbeque 180
Brisket 161.49 177.17 17,898 110 6.1 321 BUFFALO'S BBQ 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 4 209 697.6800 JO-BAWB'S BBQ 58 Lakeland Pig Festival 1
February 7 261 704.5716 HICKORY PRIME 48 The Pig (Guinea Pig) 2
March 16 713 708.5372 CAJUN BLAZE 95 Tupelo BBQ Duel- Comp 1 23
April 54 1,844 710.8460 DIRT ROAD BBQ 109 Smoke in the Spring 40
May 60 1,938 706.8228 BIG POPPA SMOKERS 83 Bixby BBQ'N Blues Festival 48
June 83 2,402 710.2972 BRICKHEAD BBQ 183 Great Lenexa BBQ Battle-Kansas State Championship 51
July 58 1,570 709.1200 LITTLE PIG TOWN BBQ 82 SC Festival of Discovery 42
August 65 1,970 706.8460 THE SMOKING HILLS 72 Raider Red Meats BBQ & Ribeye Championship 42
September 74 2,138 712.5944 VALLEY OAKS STEAK COMPANY 111 Shawnee Great Grillers State Championship 45
October 38 1,645 709.7028 HOT COLE'S BBQ 557 37th Annual American Royal World Series of Barbecue (OPEN) 44
November 12 450 712.5828 IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ 89 World Barbecue Championship 12
December 4 129 709.1084 IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ 36 When Pigs Fly South 3
Section BThe Year Against the LastB4

2016 set against 2015.

Measure20162015Change
Contests scored 475 483 ▼ 8 (-2%)
Teams competing 7,747 8,259 ▼ 512 (-6%)
Team entries 17,965 18,424 ▼ 459 (-2%)
Different Grand Champions 243 247 ▼ 4 (-2%)
Average field 38.2 38.6 ▼ 0.4 (-1%)
Biggest field 557 606 ▼ 49 (-8%)
Average winning score 693.30 691.53 ▲ 1.77
Top score 712.5944 714.8800 ▼ 2.2856
Perfect 180s 353 336 ▲ 17 (5%)

Notes on the Season from the 2016 season page

  • Jan 8 → Dec 10 Season ran first and last contest on the 2016 calendar
  • 5.43 Average winning margin across 467 Master contests · 1 settled by tiebreaker
  • 18,821 Walks to the stage top-ten calls handed out in the four meats
  • 2,213 New teams first tracked contest anywhere was in 2016
  • 646 Contest series distinct recurring contests on the calendar
  • 24 contests Busiest weekend all on Jun 3, 2016
  • Brisket Toughest table lowest average of the four meats at 161.49
  • 5 Outside the rating invitationals and non-points contests that do not move a power rating
  • 40 Cancelled contests that came off the calendar
  • 175 Results still out of 680 contests on the 2016 calendar
Section CBack IssuesC1

Every season in review, and every month with scored results, back to the start of the record. ← 2015 in review 2017 in review → Latest edition

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

2026 316 contests

2025 386 contests

2024 343 contests

2023 376 contests

2022 376 contests

2021 310 contests

2020 134 contests

2019 430 contests

2018 480 contests

2017 517 contests

2016 505 contests

2015 494 contests

2014 469 contests

2013 436 contests

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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