In this edition
Every sanctioned contest scored in December 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
PORKY BUTTS BBQ Turns In the Month’s Best Card
701.1428 out of 720 at The Smithfield King of the Smoker (INVITATIONAL) (JUDGES FULL) — the highest Master overall scored in December 2017.
top 1% of every Master overall ever scored
RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. — PORKY BUTTS BBQ put up 701.1428 at The Smithfield King of the Smoker (INVITATIONAL) (JUDGES FULL) — the highest overall of the month.
Across December 2017, 4 sanctioned contests were scored, across 4 states and provinces, drawing 122 teams to the turn-in table. Judges made 160 top-ten calls and handed out 6 perfect 180s. 19 teams appear in the record for the first time. The full standings run on B1.
Every Grand Championship in this edition — 4 in all.
Upset of the month
The Long Shot Comes In at Smokin up the Campground (GBC Qualifier)
The ratings gave YES, DEAR BBQ a 35% chance, with QUE'N STEW'N & BREW'N the team to beat.
35-in-100 shot on pre-contest ratings
CALHOUN, Ga. — YES, DEAR BBQ won Smokin up the Campground (GBC Qualifier) over top-rated QUE'N STEW'N & BREW'N as the ratings underdog.
Perfect 180s
Judges Hand Out Six Perfect 180s
Six cards, every one a nine — 6 times in December 2017.
6 perfect scores handed out
Six judges, every card a 9: 6 perfect 180s were handed out in December 2017.
Closest call
Decided by 0.5256 of a Point
VICTORY LANE BBQ edged CONTAGIOUS Q at Christmas on the River — the closest finish of the month.
0.5256 points between 1st and 2nd
DEMOPOLIS, Ala. — VICTORY LANE BBQ edged CONTAGIOUS Q by 0.5256 at Christmas on the River.
Invite-only fields. Their results go into every team’s record; they don’t move the power rating.
King of the Smoker
Reserve: SHIGGIN & GRINNIN
The Smithfield King of the Smoker (INVITATIONAL) (JUDGES FULL) — Dec. 1, Rancho Mirage, Calif.
The invitational circuit → · every invitational on record, who keeps getting invited, and who wins them.
Also in Dec 2017
YES, DEAR BBQ Back on Top After Two Years
YES, DEAR BBQ won Smokin up the Campground (GBC Qualifier) — their first Grand Championship since May 2015, after 29 contests without one.
Meat Sweats BBQ Climbs 14 Rating Points
Meat Sweats BBQ gained 14 rating points across 1 contest — the biggest climb of the month.
First Time Out, Rio Valley Meat BBQ Takes 9th
Rio Valley Meat BBQ finished 9th at The Smithfield King of the Smoker (INVITATIONAL) (JUDGES FULL) — the first contest they appear in anywhere in the data.
30 Teams Roll Into Calhoun
Smokin up the Campground (GBC Qualifier) drew 30 teams, and YES, DEAR BBQ won it.
SMOKIN TRIGGERS Cooks Its 100th Contest
SMOKIN TRIGGERS cooked their 100th contest on record at The Smithfield King of the Smoker (INVITATIONAL) (JUDGES FULL), with 2 Grand Championships along the way.
YES, DEAR BBQ Wins Smokin up the Campground Without Winning a Meat
YES, DEAR BBQ won Smokin up the Campground (GBC Qualifier) without winning a single meat — their best category finish was 2nd.
A New Contest Opens in Calhoun
Smokin up the Campground (GBC Qualifier) ran for the first time on record, drawing 30 teams, and YES, DEAR BBQ won it. Somebody put in the work to make a new contest happen.
Three Contests on One Friday
3 sanctioned contests were cooked on 1 Dec alone.
Perfect 180s
6 perfect scores — six judges, every card a nine.
- Chicken RUB YOUR MEAT BBQ Down Town Barbecue Throw down (JUDGES FULL) · Dec. 15
- Pork Ribs SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ Down Town Barbecue Throw down (JUDGES FULL) · Dec. 15
- Chicken SMOKIN MO'S BBQ Down Town Barbecue Throw down (JUDGES FULL) · Dec. 15
- Pork Cool Smoke The Smithfield King of the Smoker (INVITATIONAL) (JUDGES FULL) · Dec. 1
- Pork SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ The Smithfield King of the Smoker (INVITATIONAL) (JUDGES FULL) · Dec. 1
- Chicken WOLF'S REVENGE BBQ The Smithfield King of the Smoker (INVITATIONAL) (JUDGES FULL) · Dec. 1
The Ratings Market Power rating and the move over Dec 2017; # is the team’s place in the power rankings
| Team | Rating | Chg. |
|---|---|---|
| Meat Sweats BBQ #2,377 | 1,524 | ▲ 14 |
| BALLS OUT BBQ #1,455 | 1,568 | ▲ 12 |
| Sheats Smoked Meats #1,078 | 1,597 | ▲ 11 |
| YES, DEAR BBQ #252 | 1,741 | ▲ 10 |
| Porterhouse BBQ #412 | 1,695 | ▲ 10 |
| Angry Jack BBQ #180 | 1,764 | ▲ 10 |
| B-S BBQ OUTLAWS #94 | 1,812 | ▲ 10 |
| FYC BARBEQUE #950 | 1,611 | ▲ 9 |
| Team | Rating | Chg. |
|---|---|---|
| UTAH BBQ COMPANY #322 | 1,719 | ▲ 9 |
| SHIG NINJA BBQ #264 | 1,735 | ▲ 9 |
| Beef Hammer | 1,489 | ▼ 11 |
| Bigg Stankys BBQ | 1,489 | ▼ 11 |
| Pigout Bar BQ #5,423 | 1,453 | ▼ 12 |
| RIDGE ROUTE BOYS BBQ #113 | 1,800 | ▼ 12 |
| GETTIN' BASTED #11 | 1,921 | ▼ 14 |
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
- 9th Rio Valley Meat BBQ The Smithfield King of the Smoker (INVITATIONAL) (JUDGES FULL)
- 15th BONE LICK-N BBQ Smokin up the Campground (GBC Qualifier)
- 17th B & B Charcoal Christmas on the River
- 19th Porkalious Christmas on the River
- 21st FELLOWS OF THE CRAFT Smokin up the Campground (GBC Qualifier)
- 23rd Plaza Christmas on the River
- 24th Georgia Pacific Christmas on the River
- 25th JALAPENO DAVE'S Smokin up the Campground (GBC Qualifier)
- 25th Power House 1 Christmas on the River
- 26th Power House 2 Christmas on the River
- 26th THE BARBECUE DEPOT Smokin up the Campground (GBC Qualifier)
- 27th Bigg Stankys BBQ Christmas on the River
- 28th STEVEO'S BBQ Down Town Barbecue Throw down (JUDGES FULL)
- 29th Beef Hammer Smokin up the Campground (GBC Qualifier)
- — A Slab and More BBQ Christmas on the River
- — Arrow Cattle Company Christmas on the River
- — Colonel Rusty's Christmas on the River
- — Kajun Kaos Christmas on the River
What a first season usually looks like → · 2 contests also ran for the first time on record: Smokin up the Campground (GBC Qualifier), Down Town Barbecue Throw down (JUDGES FULL).
Best of Each Meat
Both series, out of 180
| Meat | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken†3 | WOLF'S REVENGE BBQ The Smithfield King of the Smoker (INVITATIONAL) (JUDGES FULL) |
180 |
| Pork Ribs† | SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ Down Town Barbecue Throw down (JUDGES FULL) |
180 |
| Pork†2 | Cool Smoke The Smithfield King of the Smoker (INVITATIONAL) (JUDGES FULL) |
180 |
| Brisket | PORKY BUTTS BBQ The Smithfield King of the Smoker (INVITATIONAL) (JUDGES FULL) |
179.4400 |
† a perfect 180 was scored in this category during the edition.
Who Showed Up
Contests · Grand Championships · best overall finish
| Team | C | GC | Best |
|---|---|---|---|
| IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ | 2 | — | 3 |
| SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ | 2 | — | 3 |
| GETTIN' BASTED | 2 | — | 7 |
| SMOKIN TRIGGERS | 2 | — | 17 |
| BIG POPPA SMOKERS | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| PORKY BUTTS BBQ | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| VICTORY LANE BBQ | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| YES, DEAR BBQ | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 3 Guys No Fries | 1 | — | — |
| A Slab and More BBQ | 1 | — | — |
| Arrow Cattle Company | 1 | — | — |
| BBQ Brothers | 1 | — | — |
| Bull & Bones | 1 | — | — |
| Colonel Rusty's | 1 | — | — |
| Kajun Kaos | 1 | — | — |
Where They Cooked
Contests · teams
| State/Prov. | C | Teams |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 1 | 41 |
| Georgia | 1 | 30 |
| Nevada | 1 | 30 |
| California | 1 | 25 |
Every sanctioned contest scored in this edition — 4 in all, newest first. Click a column head to sort; click a row for the contest.
| Contest | Grand Champion | High score |
|---|---|---|
| Down Town Barbecue Throw down (JUDGES FULL) Dec. 15 · Las Vegas, Nev. · 30 teams |
BIG POPPA SMOKERS | 699.9428 |
| Smokin up the Campground (GBC Qualifier) Dec. 1 · Calhoun, Ga. · 30 teams |
YES, DEAR BBQ | 695.9084 |
| Christmas on the River Dec. 1 · Demopolis, Ala. · 27 teams |
VICTORY LANE BBQ | 695.3484 |
| The Smithfield King of the Smoker (INVITATIONAL) (JUDGES FULL) Dec. 1 · Rancho Mirage, Calif. · 25 teams |
PORKY BUTTS BBQ | 701.1428 |
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.
Map what is in driving range → · subscribe to the calendar → · the judging notices → · the whole calendar →
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