In this edition
Every sanctioned contest scored in May 2017.
Covering KCBS-sanctioned contests
The Smoke Ring
Competition Barbecue’s Paper of Record
The Index
- Grand Champions A2
- The Month in Brief A3
- By Invitation A4
- Perfect Scores A5
- Ratings Market A6
- New to the Circuit A8
- Box Scores B1
- Complete Results B4
- Back Issues C4
Score of the month
GETTIN' BASTED Turns In the Month’s Best Card
706.2972 out of 720 at BBQ in the Bluffs — the highest Master overall scored in May 2017.
top 1% of every Master overall ever scored
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa — GETTIN' BASTED put up 706.2972 at BBQ in the Bluffs — the highest overall of the month.
Across May 2017, 57 sanctioned contests were scored, across 28 states and provinces, drawing 1,776 teams to the turn-in table. Judges made 2,280 top-ten calls and handed out 36 perfect 180s. 326 teams appear in the record for the first time. The full standings run on B1.
Every Grand Championship in this edition — 57 in all. The 21 oldest are listed under Complete Results, B4.
- OLD VIRGINIA SMOKE RED, WHITE and BAR-B-Q ( DAY 2)
- SMOKIN TIMBERS NORTHWEST BBQ Blues & Brews on the Bay (JUDGES FULL)
- BROS HOG Brew N Q (OPEN)
- STICKY FINGERS BARBECUE TEAM Italian Hardcore Barbcue
- ELITE BBQ SMOKERS Papa Joe's Banjo-B-Que & Music Festival (GBC Qualifier)
- BILLY RAY BBQ RED, WHITE and BAR-B-Q ( DAY 1)
- BIG POPPA SMOKERS Best Dam BBQ
- BOOMERANG BBQ The Wind Rider Music & BBQ Festival (WFC QUALIFIER)
- WHITE SQUIRREL BBQ Brew N Q (INVITATIONAL)
- UNCLE TOAD'S COMPETITION BBQ Old Town Barbecue Throwdown
- GONNA GET MESSY 22nd Annual Platte City BBQ Cook Off at Basswood Resort
- DANTE'S INFERNO Twin Valley Fire and Smoke
- CHECKERED PIG Bloomin' BBQ & Bluegrass
- 913 BBQ 6th Annual Valley Veterans BBQ Competition
- SMOKIN MO'S BBQ SoCal BBQ Bash and Expo (JUDGES FULL)
- GOOD SMOKE BBQ Salt City BBQ Festival
- CLARK CREW BBQ Grand Lake BBQ & Festival
- YOU QUE'D ME ALL NIGHT LONG Boats, Bands, & BBQ
- REDNECK SCIENTIFIC Kings of Q BBQ cook off and Festival
- 3N1 Q Chesapeake Jubilee BBQ Cook-Off
- WICKED SMOKE BBQ ASTOP’s BBQ 4 ASTOP
- QUE'N STEW'N & BREW'N Sam's Club National BBQ Tour
- SMOKE ME SILLY Barber Q Battle (PRO/MASTER AND BACKYARD)
- PB&J'S BBQ TEAM BBQ Throw Down
- SWEET SMOKE BBQ Southern Smoke BBQ Championship
- SOUTHERN DUTCH BBQ Beer,Fries & BBQ IV
- ARROWHEAD NORTH BBQ Smokin Q at Lynnwood Ranch
- IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ Minnesota in May
- WHO CARES BBQ BBQ Jamboree-Day 1 (JUDGES FULL)
- OLD VIRGINIA SMOKE BBQ Jamboree- Day 2 (JUDGES FULL)
- BOOG-A-LOU SMOKE CREW Boss Hog State Championship Cook-OFF (GBC Qualifier)
- SHARPE GOURMET COOKING WOOD West Coast BBQ Classic
- GETTIN' BASTED BBQ in the Bluffs
- QUE'N STEW'N & BREW'N Roman Roast on the River
- THE AMERICAN DREAM BBQ Wild West BBQ Cook Off
- SCUFFLETOWN SMOKERS Sam's Club National BBQ Tour
Hottest hand
Two Grand Championships in May 2017 for VICTORY SMOKERS
Nobody else in the field ran a hotter hand.
2× Grand Championships
VICTORY SMOKERS took 2 Grand Championships in May 2017.
First one ever
WHO CARES BBQ Wins Its First, on the 50th Try
A first Grand Championship at BBQ Jamboree-Day 1 (JUDGES FULL), after 50 contests in the record.
50th contest — and their first GC
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — WHO CARES BBQ won their first Grand Championship at BBQ Jamboree-Day 1 (JUDGES FULL), in their 50th contest in the data.
By invitation only
WHITE SQUIRREL BBQ Wins the Brew N Q
Best of 26 invited teams, with BRIGBOYS BBQ TEAM in reserve — a win for the record book that leaves the power rating alone.
26 invited teams, one Grand Champion
BURTON UPON TRENT, DE14 1NG — WHITE SQUIRREL BBQ won Brew N Q (INVITATIONAL), best of 26 invited teams; BRIGBOYS BBQ TEAM took reserve. An invite-only field, so it leaves the power rating alone and goes straight into the record book.
Invite-only fields. Their results go into every team’s record; they don’t move the power rating.
Brew N Q
Reserve: BRIGBOYS BBQ TEAM
Brew N Q (INVITATIONAL) — May 26, Burton Upon Trent, United Kingdom
UMB Smokin' Vault
Reserve: PARK AVENUE PORK
UMB Smokin' Vault (Competitors Invitational Series) — May 5, Kansas City, Mo.
The invitational circuit → · every invitational on record, who keeps getting invited, and who wins them.
Also in May 2017
REDNECK SCIENTIFIC Defends Its Title at Kings of Q BBQ cook off and Festival
REDNECK SCIENTIFIC won Kings of Q BBQ cook off and Festival again — back-to-back Grand Championships at the same contest.
The Long Shot Comes In at RED, WHITE and BAR-B-Q ( DAY 1)
BILLY RAY BBQ won RED, WHITE and BAR-B-Q ( DAY 1) over top-rated IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ as the ratings underdog.
Judges Hand Out 36 Perfect 180s
Six judges, every card a 9: 36 perfect 180s were handed out in May 2017.
Decided by 0.0000 of a Point
BOOG-A-LOU SMOKE CREW edged Killer B's BBQ by 0.0000 at Boss Hog State Championship Cook-OFF (GBC Qualifier).
Hogline Back on Top After Two Years
Hogline won Master In May-The Classic — their first Grand Championship since June 2014, after 39 contests without one.
QUE'N STEW'N & BREW'N Takes Three of Four Meats at Roman Roast on the River
QUE'N STEW'N & BREW'N won 3 of 4 meats at Roman Roast on the River (chicken, pork ribs and brisket), and the Grand Championship with them.
BILLY RAY BBQ Climbs 68 Rating Points
BILLY RAY BBQ gained 68 rating points across 4 contests — the biggest climb of the month.
BOOG-A-LOU SMOKE CREW Crowned at Boss Hog State Championship Cook-OFF
BOOG-A-LOU SMOKE CREW won Boss Hog State Championship Cook-OFF (GBC Qualifier), a state championship, against a field of 42.
First Time Out, TRAIL BOSS BBQ Takes 2nd
TRAIL BOSS BBQ finished 2nd at Colombia Elks Lodge # 594 BBQ Contest — the first contest they appear in anywhere in the data.
ACK-QUE Runs Away With Ridgefield Gone Country BBQ Festival
ACK-QUE won Ridgefield Gone Country BBQ Festival by 14.9604 points over Dr. Pearl's Medicinal Smoke BBQ Team — the widest winning margin of the month.
75 Teams Roll Into Kannapolis
Jiggy With the Piggy drew 75 teams, and WOLF'S REVENGE BBQ won it.
IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ Cooks Its 150th Contest
IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ cooked their 150th contest on record at Minnesota in May, with 42 Grand Championships along the way.
Nobody Hauled Further Than OLD VIRGINIA SMOKE
OLD VIRGINIA SMOKE cooked 6 contests in May 2017 — nobody hauled the rig further.
WOLF'S REVENGE BBQ Wins Jiggy With the Piggy Without Winning a Meat
WOLF'S REVENGE BBQ won Jiggy With the Piggy without winning a single meat — their best category finish was 2nd.
A New Contest Opens in Platte City
22nd Annual Platte City BBQ Cook Off at Basswood Resort ran for the first time on record, drawing 59 teams, and GONNA GET MESSY won it. Somebody put in the work to make a new contest happen.
BUNCH OF SWINES Takes Reserve Two Times
BUNCH OF SWINES finished second overall 2 times in May 2017 without a Grand Championship — one place short every time.
17 Contests on One Friday
17 sanctioned contests were cooked on 5 May alone.
Perfect 180s
36 perfect scores — six judges, every card a nine.
- Pork Ribs UTAH BBQ COMPANY BBQ Blues & Brews on the Bay (JUDGES FULL) · May 27
- Brisket WARPIG BBQ & SAUSAGE CO. BBQ Blues & Brews on the Bay (JUDGES FULL) · May 27
- Pork Ribs Angry Jack BBQ Papa Joe's Banjo-B-Que & Music Festival (GBC Qualifier) · May 26
- Pork BOOMERANG BBQ The Wind Rider Music & BBQ Festival (WFC QUALIFIER) · May 26
- Brisket CANCERSUCKSCHICAGO.COM RED, WHITE and BAR-B-Q ( DAY 1) · May 26
- Brisket ELITE BBQ SMOKERS Papa Joe's Banjo-B-Que & Music Festival (GBC Qualifier) · May 26
- Chicken HOT WACHULA'S Papa Joe's Banjo-B-Que & Music Festival (GBC Qualifier) · May 26
- Pork Ribs CHECKERED PIG Bloomin' BBQ & Bluegrass · May 19
- Pork Ribs CLAUDE'S Q Sam's Club National BBQ Tour · May 19
- Pork Ribs GOTHIC TOWN GRILLERS 22nd Annual Platte City BBQ Cook Off at Basswood Resort · May 19
- Chicken K-TOWN DADDY'S BBQ Bloomin' BBQ & Bluegrass · May 19
- Chicken LITTLE PIG TOWN BBQ Grand Lake BBQ & Festival · May 19
- Chicken PIGGIN' OUT Barber Q Battle (PRO/MASTER AND BACKYARD) · May 19
- Chicken SIMPLY MARVELOUS BBQ SoCal BBQ Bash and Expo (JUDGES FULL) · May 19
- Brisket SWINE AND SHINE BBQ Barber Q Battle (PRO/MASTER AND BACKYARD) · May 19
- Brisket BIG POPPA SMOKERS West Coast BBQ Classic · May 12
- Chicken BUFFALO'S BBQ BBQ in the Bluffs · May 12
- Chicken CLARK CREW BBQ Wild West BBQ Cook Off · May 12
- Pork Ribs GILLY'S BBQ Sam's Club National BBQ Tour · May 12
- Pork HICKORY AND SPICE BBQ West Coast BBQ Classic · May 12
- Pork Ribs HOOTIE-Q Boss Hog State Championship Cook-OFF (GBC Qualifier) · May 12
- Chicken SCUFFLETOWN SMOKERS Sam's Club National BBQ Tour · May 12
- Brisket SLAPS BBQ Sam's Club National BBQ Tour · May 12
- Chicken SWIGGIN PIG Sam's Club National BBQ Tour · May 12
…and 12 more.
The Ratings Market Power rating and the move over May 2017; # is the team’s place in the power rankings
| Team | Rating | Chg. |
|---|---|---|
| BILLY RAY BBQ #739 | 1,636 | ▲ 68 |
| WICKED SMOKE BBQ #630 | 1,655 | ▲ 40 |
| SHORTSVILLE SMOKERS #128 | 1,788 | ▲ 39 |
| 3N1 Q #66 | 1,831 | ▲ 38 |
| TRUE SMOKE BBQ #313 | 1,722 | ▲ 31 |
| ROCKIN ROBYNS BBQ #61 | 1,837 | ▲ 30 |
| PORKS & REC #1,613 | 1,557 | ▲ 30 |
| Sharpe's Woodshed #256 | 1,739 | ▲ 29 |
| Team | Rating | Chg. |
|---|---|---|
| OLD VIRGINIA SMOKE #89 | 1,813 | ▲ 29 |
| WHO CARES BBQ #216 | 1,752 | ▲ 29 |
| SERIAL GRILLAZ(NL) #2,765 | 1,512 | ▼ 23 |
| WOODWARD BARBEQUE #489 | 1,679 | ▼ 24 |
| THE AMERICAN DREAM BBQ #13 | 1,902 | ▼ 25 |
| BAR-B-QUE MAYHAM #890 | 1,618 | ▼ 26 |
| THE REAL SMOKIN ACES #273 | 1,731 | ▼ 26 |
Full power rankings → · Ratings move only on rated contests; invitationals and non-points events are excluded.
New to the Circuit First appearance anywhere in the record — the figure is their best finish
- 2nd TRAIL BOSS BBQ Colombia Elks Lodge # 594 BBQ Contest
- 3rd Rackstreet Boys UMB Smokin' Vault (Competitors Invitational Series)
- 3rd Smoke324 BBQ Blues & Brews on the Bay (JUDGES FULL)
- 4th HOT MONKEYS Italian Hardcore Barbcue
- 7th STOKIN SMOKE BBQ Old Town Barbecue Throwdown
- 9th H&H SMOKEHOUSE Colombia Elks Lodge # 594 BBQ Contest
- 9th SMOKIN' CHAOS BBQ Old Town Barbecue Throwdown
- 9th We Rub Shoulders UMB Smokin' Vault (Competitors Invitational Series)
- 10th Cynical BBQ Elk Grove Western Festival and BBQ Championship
- 10th HAMTOWN SMOKERS Chesapeake Jubilee BBQ Cook-Off
- 10th OLDRIVER BBQ TEAM Italian Hardcore Barbcue
- 11th The Grillers Italian Hardcore Barbcue
- 12th CHARCOAL MONKEY BBQ in the Bluffs
- 12th TWO CRACKERS Q-ING BBQ Throw Down
- 13th BOBBY RAY'S BBQ Colombia Elks Lodge # 594 BBQ Contest
- 13th Fire & Spice BBq Twin Valley Fire and Smoke
- 13th Smoked Iguana BBQ & Sauce Co Apple Blossom Bar-B-Q
- 13th WACKADOOS Old Town Barbecue Throwdown
What a first season usually looks like → · 12 contests also ran for the first time on record: 22nd Annual Platte City BBQ Cook Off at Basswood Resort, The Masters In May (also Big Green Egg challenge), BBQ Jamboree-Day 1 (JUDGES FULL), Twin Valley Fire and Smoke, Master In May-The Classic, Beer,Fries & BBQ IV, 6th Annual Valley Veterans BBQ Competition, SoCal BBQ Bash and Expo (JUDGES FULL), BBQ Jamboree- Day 2 (JUDGES FULL), RED, WHITE and BAR-B-Q ( DAY 1), Naptown barBAYq Cooking Contest, Best Dam BBQ.
Best of Each Meat
Both series, out of 180
| Meat | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken†13 | BURNT FINGER BBQ Brew, Blues, & Bar-B-Q |
180 |
| Pork Ribs†7 | GILLY'S BBQ Sam's Club National BBQ Tour |
180 |
| Pork†5 | FAT BOYS BBQ - TEMPLE, TX Bixby BBQ'n Blues Festival (JUDGES FULL) |
180 |
| Brisket†11 | TEAM AMERICA City of Show Low's 5th Annual BBQ Throwdown |
180 |
† a perfect 180 was scored in this category during the edition.
Who Showed Up
Contests · Grand Championships · best overall finish
| Team | C | GC | Best |
|---|---|---|---|
| OLD VIRGINIA SMOKE | 6 | 2 | 1 |
| IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ | 6 | 1 | 1 |
| TRUE SMOKE BBQ | 6 | — | 2 |
| BIG "E" BBQ | 6 | — | 4 |
| BLUE ISLAND BBQ CO. | 6 | — | 9 |
| SPITFIRE | 6 | — | 13 |
| CLARK CREW BBQ | 5 | 1 | 1 |
| DIRT ROAD BBQ | 5 | — | 2 |
| GREY STREET BBQ | 5 | — | 2 |
| SMOKING BUTT HEADS | 5 | — | 3 |
| TIM'S FULL BELLI DELI | 5 | — | 3 |
| LEGENDS OF SMOKE - TEAM RED ARROW | 5 | — | 6 |
| THE REAL SMOKIN ACES | 5 | — | 9 |
| WOODWARD BARBEQUE | 5 | — | 9 |
| Mac Attack BBQ | 5 | — | 15 |
Where They Cooked
Contests · teams
| State/Prov. | C | Teams |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri | 6 | 202 |
| Georgia | 4 | 173 |
| California | 3 | 130 |
| Virginia | 3 | 81 |
| Illinois | 3 | 76 |
| Wisconsin | 3 | 69 |
| Indiana | 3 | 52 |
| Alabama | 2 | 170 |
| North Carolina | 2 | 97 |
| Oklahoma | 2 | 90 |
| Kansas | 2 | 74 |
| Tennessee | 2 | 68 |
| Colorado | 2 | 57 |
| New York | 2 | 56 |
| Minnesota | 1 | 71 |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 59 |
| Nebraska | 1 | 47 |
| Connecticut | 1 | 46 |
| Iowa | 1 | 39 |
| Maryland | 1 | 37 |
Every sanctioned contest scored in this edition — 61 in all, newest first. Click a column head to sort; click a row for the contest.
Contests Advertised
- Red White & Que - CAMPGROUND BBQ SERIES (Day 1) — Friday, Oct. 23. West Creek, N.J. Entries through the organizer; sanctioned by KCBS.
- Red White & Que - CAMPGROUND BBQ SERIES (ONE MEAT CHICKEN) — Friday, Oct. 23. West Creek, N.J. Entries through the organizer; sanctioned by KCBS.
- VPD Back the Blue BBQ Competition — Friday, Oct. 23. Vidalia, La. Entries through the organizer; sanctioned by KCBS.
- Rock Lane Presents Grills Gone Wild — Friday, Oct. 23. Branson, Mo. Entries through the organizer; sanctioned by KCBS.
- The Butcher's Smoke & Flames Barbeque Cookoff (BACKYARD ONLY) — Friday, Oct. 23. Cullman, Ala. Entries through the organizer; sanctioned by KCBS.
- Foothills Smoke-Off Challenge — Friday, Oct. 23. Lenoir, N.C. Entries through the organizer; sanctioned by KCBS.
- Red White & Que - CAMPGROUND BBQ SERIES (Day 2) — Saturday, Oct. 24. West Creek, N.J. Entries through the organizer; sanctioned by KCBS.
- Red White & Que - CAMPGROUND BBQ SERIES (ONE MEAT RIBS) — Saturday, Oct. 24. West Creek, N.J. Entries through the organizer; sanctioned by KCBS.
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