SaucyRossyBBQ KCBS Helper

← The latest edition · The 2021 season page

The annual edition

Every sanctioned contest scored in 2021.

Covering KCBS-sanctioned contests

The Smoke Ring

Competition Barbecue’s Paper of Record

The Index

Annual edition Friday, December 31, 2021 Price: One Coffee

The 2021 Season in Review

310 contests scored
4,258 teams competing
716.0116 top score, out of 720 SLAPS BBQ
10,553 team entries
206 different Grand Champions
101 first-time winners
145 won exactly once
312 perfect 180s
12,212 top-ten calls
1,482 new teams
54.4% of last year’s teams came back
467 biggest field
32 average field
697.22 average winning score
658.17 lowest winning score
4.64 average winning margin
43 states & provinces
13 countries
225 state championships
7 invitationals
98 reps at the table
2.5 contests per team
$1,622K in published purses
38 cancelled

Team of the Year

GETTIN' BASTED Is 2021 Team of the Year

2,804 points to top the KCBS Master Series standings, ahead of SLAPS BBQ.

By The Smoke Ring Staff

2,804
Master Series Team of the Year points

GETTIN' BASTED finished 2021 as KCBS Master Series Team of the Year on 2,804 points, with SLAPS BBQ second.

Across 2021, 310 sanctioned contests were scored, across 43 states and provinces, drawing 4,258 teams to the turn-in table. Judges made 12,212 top-ten calls and handed out 312 perfect 180s. 1,482 teams appear in the record for the first time. The top tens run on B1.

  • Chicken: GETTIN' BASTED
  • Pork Ribs: SLAPS BBQ
  • Pork: ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN
  • Pork: Heavy Smoke BBQ
Section ATeam of the YearA2

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

Master Series

  1. 1 GETTIN' BASTED 2,804
  2. 2 SLAPS BBQ 2,753
  3. 3 Heavy Smoke BBQ 2,721
  4. 4 WOLF'S REVENGE BBQ 2,684
  5. 5 ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN 2,648
  6. 6 SOUTHERN DUTCH BBQ 2,629
  7. 7 THE BBQ BUS 2,616
  8. 8 Texas Smoke Whisperer 2,606
  9. 9 Top Gun Barbecue 2,588
  10. 10 CHICKEN FRIED BBQ 2,542

Category Teams of the Year: Chicken — GETTIN' BASTED; Pork Ribs — SLAPS BBQ; Pork — ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN; Pork — Heavy Smoke BBQ; Brisket — GETTIN' BASTED.

Section AThe Year in BriefA3

By invitation only

TRIPLE H BBQ Wins the American Royal Invitational

Best of 185 invited teams, with SIN CIRCLE BBQ in reserve — a win for the record book that leaves the power rating alone.

185 invited teams, one Grand Champion

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — TRIPLE H BBQ won American Royal World Series of Barbecue-INVITATIONAL CONTEST, best of 185 invited teams; SIN CIRCLE BBQ took reserve. An invite-only field, so it leaves the power rating alone and goes straight into the record book.

  • top score 708.5372
  • 7 invitationals in 2021
  • not in the power rating

Score of the year

SLAPS BBQ Turns In the Year’s Best Card

716.0116 out of 720 at Dodge City Days Smokin' Saddles BBQ Competition-Day 1 — the highest Master overall scored in 2021.

716.0116 Master overall, out of 720

DODGE CITY, Kan. — SLAPS BBQ put up 716.0116 at Dodge City Days Smokin' Saddles BBQ Competition-Day 1 — the highest overall of the year.

Clean sweep

SMELLAQUE Sweeps All Four Meats at Porkapalooza BBQ Festival

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

4 of 4 meats won at one contest

SHERWOOD PARK, Alta. — SMELLAQUE won every meat at Porkapalooza BBQ Festival — chicken, ribs, pork and brisket.

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

Hottest hand

Eleven Grand Championships in 2021 for GETTIN' BASTED

Nobody else in the field ran a hotter hand.

11× Grand Championships

GETTIN' BASTED took 11 Grand Championships in 2021.

They will not let it go

Three Straight at BBQ Boogie & Blues for Under the Radar

Every edition of BBQ Boogie & Blues since 2018 has gone the same way.

3 in a row wins at this contest

CALHOUN, Ga. — Under the Radar won BBQ Boogie & Blues again — 3 straight editions of this contest.

  • 2018–2021
  • field of 27

First one ever

LOVE 2 Q Wins Its First, on the 83rd Try

A first Grand Championship at Smokin on The Harbor, after 83 contests in the record.

83rd contest — and their first GC

WARSAW, Mo. — LOVE 2 Q won their first Grand Championship at Smokin on The Harbor, in their 83rd contest in the data.

  • 20 Aug

Also in 2021

The Long Shot Comes In at Real Squeal BBQ Smokeoff

Grillbilly's BBQ won Real Squeal BBQ Smokeoff over top-rated IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ as the ratings underdog.

Judges Hand Out 312 Perfect 180s

Six judges, every card a 9: 312 perfect 180s were handed out in 2021.

Decided by 0.0112 of a Point

Angry Jack BBQ edged Stewbabys BBQ by 0.0112 at Pigs & Peaches BBQ Festival.

Pigtamer BBQ Back on Top After Six Years

Pigtamer BBQ won Bring'n Home the Bacon - Day 2 — their first Grand Championship since June 2015, after 46 contests without one.

Top Gun Barbecue Sets the Record at I Love Barbecue & Music Festival

Top Gun Barbecue put up 699.4628 at I Love Barbecue & Music Festival — the best overall in 8 editions of the contest on record, past the old mark of 677.1540.

Texas Smoke Whisperer Climbs 194 Rating Points

Texas Smoke Whisperer gained 194 rating points across 36 contests — the biggest climb of the year.

101 Teams Win Their First Grand Championship

101 teams won their first Grand Championship on record in 2021 — the biggest of them CHICKEN FRIED BBQ at Humble BBQ Cook Off, against 113 teams.

SLAPS BBQ Collects 13 Perfect 180s

SLAPS BBQ turned in 13 perfect 180s in 2021, the most of any team.

209 State Champions Crowned

209 state championships were decided in 2021. The biggest, American Royal World Series of Barbecue-OPEN CONTEST (467 teams), went to LAST CALL HEROES BBQ.

Damn Fine Beef & Swine Leads the Class of 2021

Damn Fine Beef & Swine cooked their first contest on record in 2021 and won 8 Grand Championships — the best season of 1,482 new teams.

Nobody Was Steadier Than SOUTHERN DUTCH BBQ

SOUTHERN DUTCH BBQ finished ahead of 98% of the field on average across 10 Master contests in 2021 — the steadiest season of anyone with 10 or more.

PUCKDADDY'S KILLER Q Tops the Backyard Board at Twin States Barbecue Showdown (BACKYARD ONLY)

PUCKDADDY'S KILLER Q put up 356.5828 on the Backyard board at Twin States Barbecue Showdown (BACKYARD ONLY) — two meats, a different scale, and the same nerves.

SMELLAQUE Runs Away With Porkapalooza BBQ Festival

SMELLAQUE won Porkapalooza BBQ Festival by 42.9944 points over ROCKY MOUNTAIN SMOKERS — the widest winning margin of the year.

Brisket Was the Hardest Meat of 2021

Brisket was the hardest meat to score in 2021: it averaged 163.83, against 166.07 for chicken.

467 Teams Roll Into Kansas City

American Royal World Series of Barbecue-OPEN CONTEST drew 467 teams, and LAST CALL HEROES BBQ won it.

310 Contests, Up 131% on 2020

310 contests were scored in 2021, up from 134 in 2020.

GETTIN' BASTED Cooks Its 300th Contest

GETTIN' BASTED cooked their 300th contest on record at Delta Smoke BBQ Contest, with 56 Grand Championships along the way.

It Took 697.22 to Win This Year

A Master Series win took an average of 697.22 in 2021, up 0.95 on 696.27 in 2020.

Nobody Hauled Further Than ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN

ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN cooked 49 contests in 2021 — nobody hauled the rig further.

LAST CALL HEROES BBQ Wins American Royal World Series of Barbecue-Open Contest Without Winning a Meat

LAST CALL HEROES BBQ won American Royal World Series of Barbecue-OPEN CONTEST without winning a single meat — their best category finish was 2nd.

A New Contest Opens in Kansas City

American Royal World Series of Barbecue-OPEN CONTEST ran for the first time on record, drawing 467 teams, and LAST CALL HEROES BBQ won it. Somebody put in the work to make a new contest happen.

913 BBQ Takes Reserve Three Times

913 BBQ finished second overall 3 times in 2021 without a Grand Championship — one place short every time.

15 Contests on One Friday

15 sanctioned contests were cooked on 20 Aug alone.

Missouri Hosts 32 Contests, More Than Anywhere

Missouri held 32 contests in 2021, more than anywhere else, with an average field of 29.

October Was the Busiest Month, With 49 Contests

October 2021 was the busiest month of 2021: 49 contests scored and 937 teams cooking. Read the October 2021 edition.

Alan Rothrock Works 32 Contests

Alan Rothrock repped 32 contests in 2021 — somebody has to run the table.

Section ABy InvitationA4

Every invitational of 2021. 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 101 teams won one for the first time on record — the 24 biggest fields shown

  1. CHICKEN FRIED BBQ Humble BBQ Cook Off Jan 29 · 113 teams
  2. Sloan Bohannon Smoke in the Spring Apr 9 · 105 teams
  3. TRIPLE H BBQ Sip & Swine BBQ Festival Mar 5 · 81 teams
  4. Brady Dopp Sip & Swine BBQ Festival Mar 5 · 81 teams
  5. Swine-O's Sip & Swine BBQ Festival Mar 5 · 81 teams
  6. MIDDLE KID Q SC Festival of Discovery Jul 9 · 81 teams
  7. DAD BOD BARBEQUE Minnesota in May May 7 · 60 teams
  8. GLAZED AND INFUSED NEW JERSEY BBQ New Jersey State BBQ Championship Jul 9 · 59 teams
  9. Not So Famous Dave's BBQ Smoke in the Grove Jul 30 · 54 teams
  10. Hanover Area Fire Rescue Smoke in the Grove Jul 30 · 54 teams
  11. BEST Pump & Flow Permain Basin Barbeque Cook-off (BACKYARD ONLY) Sep 29 · 54 teams
  12. The Yardpigs Bring'n Home the Bacon - Day 1 Jun 11 · 52 teams
  13. TIRE SMOKE BBQ Hoosier BBQ Classic Day 1 Jun 18 · 51 teams
  14. WEEZ'S GROOVIN' BBQ Heritage Days BBQ Showdown (Day one) Jun 25 · 49 teams
  15. THE HOG MAFIA Whistlestop Festival & Rocket City BBQ Aug 13 · 49 teams
  16. Poppa Pig DeSoto Shrine Club 13th Annual BBQ Cook-Off Jun 18 · 48 teams
  17. Kane's BBQ Twin Valley Fire and Smoke May 14 · 46 teams
  18. Happy Grillmore Keepers of the Fire BBQ Contest Jul 9 · 43 teams
  19. Bleacher Bums BBQ Madison Ribberfest BBQ & Blues Festival Aug 20 · 43 teams
  20. Rollin' Smoke BBQ Texas Raider Red Meat BBQ & Ribeye Championship Aug 20 · 43 teams
  21. TOPEKA BBQ SHOP Mclouth BBQ Blowout 29th Annual Jun 4 · 42 teams
  22. BAR-B-QUE MAYHAM York County BBQ Festival Jun 18 · 41 teams
  23. Dogpatch Que Boss of the Sauce BBQ Festival Apr 9 · 40 teams
  24. The Fat is Where It's At New Jersey KnoQ-out: Day 1-CAMPGROUND BBQ SERIES Apr 23 · 40 teams

The Rookie Class Teams whose first contest on record came in 2021 — 1,482 of them

The whole class of 2021 →

Section BThe Top TensB1

24 standings from the 2021 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 SLAPS BBQDodge City Days Smokin' Saddles BBQ Competition-Day 1 716.0116
  2. 2 Happy GrillmoreKeepers of the Fire BBQ Contest 713.1316
  3. 3 SMOKIN SKULLIESSC - BBQ Shoot Out Day 2 713.1200
  4. 4 LC BBQCentral Plains Ribfest Day 2 712.5716
  5. 5 CONTINENTAL BARBEQUE CO.Big Buffalo Crossing BBQ Cook-Off 712.5716
  6. 6 Under the RadarSC - BBQ Shoot Out Day 2 711.9656
  7. 7 MONTANA OUTLAW BBQMontana Pitmaster Classic 711.4172
  8. 8 SLAPS BBQSmoke on the Trails 711.4172
  9. 9 CONTINENTAL BARBEQUE CO.Grillin and Chillin BBQ 711.4172
  10. 10 DIRT ROAD BBQSmoke on the Bricks 710.8228

Most Grand Championships

Contests won, counted once per contest

  1. 1 GETTIN' BASTED48 contests · 39 top tens 11
  2. 2 Heavy Smoke BBQ44 contests · 29 top tens 9
  3. 3 SOUTHERN DUTCH BBQ10 contests · 10 top tens 8
  4. 4 Damn Fine Beef & Swine19 contests · 13 top tens 8
  5. 5 WOLF'S REVENGE BBQ40 contests · 24 top tens 7
  6. 6 SLAPS BBQ45 contests · 25 top tens 7
  7. 7 Top Gun Barbecue21 contests · 16 top tens 6
  8. 8 Optimus Swine25 contests · 19 top tens 6
  9. 9 SWEET & SAVORY BBQ21 contests · 20 top tens 5
  10. 10 MAD MUTT'S BBQ23 contests · 9 top tens 5

Most Reserve Championships

Second overall

  1. 1 SLAPS BBQ7 GCs · 45 contests 10
  2. 2 GETTIN' BASTED11 GCs · 48 contests 8
  3. 3 ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN4 GCs · 49 contests 8
  4. 4 MUTTLEY CREW BBQ1 GC · 37 contests 6
  5. 5 4 LEGS UP BBQ3 GCs · 36 contests 5
  6. 6 Heavy Smoke BBQ9 GCs · 44 contests 5
  7. 7 REDMULE'S BBQ2 GCs · 44 contests 5
  8. 8 IQ - NETHERLANDS1 GC · 5 contests 4
  9. 9 2 Swine Crew1 GC · 16 contests 4
  10. 10 Damn Fine Beef & Swine8 GCs · 19 contests 4

Most Top-Ten Finishes

Top ten overall

  1. 1 GETTIN' BASTEDof 48 contests 39
  2. 2 ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TNof 49 contests 38
  3. 3 Heavy Smoke BBQof 44 contests 29
  4. 4 MAN MEAT BBQof 47 contests 27
  5. 5 4 LEGS UP BBQof 36 contests 26
  6. 6 SLAPS BBQof 45 contests 25
  7. 7 WOLF'S REVENGE BBQof 40 contests 24
  8. 8 REDMULE'S BBQof 44 contests 24
  9. 9 Texas Smoke Whispererof 44 contests 24
  10. 10 LEM'S MEAT VARNISHof 33 contests 23

Most Calls

Top-ten finishes in the four meats

  1. 1 GETTIN' BASTED48 contests 110
  2. 2 ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN49 contests 108
  3. 3 SLAPS BBQ45 contests 97
  4. 4 REDMULE'S BBQ44 contests 93
  5. 5 Heavy Smoke BBQ44 contests 88
  6. 6 Texas Smoke Whisperer44 contests 84
  7. 7 WOLF'S REVENGE BBQ40 contests 82
  8. 8 MAN MEAT BBQ47 contests 78
  9. 9 4 LEGS UP BBQ36 contests 77
  10. 10 LC BBQ44 contests 75

Most Category Wins

First place in a meat

  1. 1 GETTIN' BASTED48 contests 19
  2. 2 REDMULE'S BBQ44 contests 18
  3. 3 SLAPS BBQ45 contests 18
  4. 4 CONTINENTAL BARBEQUE CO.19 contests 17
  5. 5 WOLF'S REVENGE BBQ40 contests 16
  6. 6 SOUTHERN DUTCH BBQ10 contests 15
  7. 7 THE BBQ BUS37 contests 14
  8. 8 ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN49 contests 14
  9. 9 Damn Fine Beef & Swine19 contests 13
  10. 10 HOLD YOUR HORSES BBQ41 contests 12

Most Perfect 180s

Six judges, every card a nine

  1. 1 SLAPS BBQ45 contests 13
  2. 2 GETTIN' BASTED48 contests 12
  3. 3 ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN49 contests 9
  4. 4 LC BBQ44 contests 7
  5. 5 Texas Smoke Whisperer44 contests 7
  6. 6 DIRT ROAD BBQ14 contests 6
  7. 7 CONTINENTAL BARBEQUE CO.19 contests 6
  8. 8 Under the Radar25 contests 6
  9. 9 CLARK CREW BBQ12 contests 5
  10. 10 913 BBQ14 contests 5

Best Average Score

Master overall, 8+ contests

  1. 1 SLAPS BBQ38 contests 696.21
  2. 2 GETTIN' BASTED42 contests 696.05
  3. 3 913 BBQ14 contests 694.52
  4. 4 DIRT ROAD BBQ11 contests 694.44
  5. 5 CLARK CREW BBQ12 contests 693.99
  6. 6 Happy Grillmore15 contests 693.01
  7. 7 SCUFFLETOWN SMOKERS9 contests 692.52
  8. 8 Q-BONES BBQ13 contests 692.36
  9. 9 SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ8 contests 692.19
  10. 10 Under the Radar25 contests 692.11

Most Consistent

Share of the field beaten, 10+ contests

  1. 1 SOUTHERN DUTCH BBQ10 contests 98%
  2. 2 GETTIN' BASTED42 contests 90%
  3. 3 DIRT ROAD BBQ11 contests 88%
  4. 4 913 BBQ14 contests 87%
  5. 5 SMOKE-N-PEPPERS14 contests 86%
  6. 6 SLAPS BBQ38 contests 86%
  7. 7 ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN47 contests 85%
  8. 8 Q-BONES BBQ13 contests 84%
  9. 9 CONTINENTAL BARBEQUE CO.19 contests 84%
  10. 10 THE AMERICAN DREAM BBQ15 contests 83%

Most Contests Cooked

Contests entered

  1. 1 ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN4 GCs · 14 states 49
  2. 2 GETTIN' BASTED11 GCs · 16 states 48
  3. 3 MAN MEAT BBQ1 GC · 9 states 47
  4. 4 SLAPS BBQ7 GCs · 8 states 45
  5. 5 Heavy Smoke BBQ9 GCs · 11 states 44
  6. 6 Texas Smoke Whisperer5 GCs · 11 states 44
  7. 7 LC BBQ3 GCs · 16 states 44
  8. 8 REDMULE'S BBQ2 GCs · 10 states 44
  9. 9 HOLD YOUR HORSES BBQ2 GCs · 11 states 41
  10. 10 WOLF'S REVENGE BBQ7 GCs · 11 states 40

Most States Cooked In

States and provinces

  1. 1 GETTIN' BASTED48 contests 16
  2. 2 LC BBQ44 contests 16
  3. 3 ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN49 contests 14
  4. 4 Rogue Hog BBQ30 contests 14
  5. 5 SMOKIN HOGGZ BBQ - MA24 contests 13
  6. 6 OLD VIRGINIA SMOKE28 contests 12
  7. 7 Heavy Smoke BBQ44 contests 11
  8. 8 Texas Smoke Whisperer44 contests 11
  9. 9 HOLD YOUR HORSES BBQ41 contests 11
  10. 10 WOLF'S REVENGE BBQ40 contests 11

Biggest Rating Climbs

Power rating gained over the season

  1. 1 Texas Smoke Whisperer36 rated contests · now #230 +194
  2. 2 REDMULE'S BBQ40 rated contests · now #336 +192
  3. 3 Optimus Swine21 rated contests · now #227 +184
  4. 4 MAD MUTT'S BBQ17 rated contests · now #221 +174
  5. 5 Damn Fine Beef & Swine15 rated contests · now #60 +147
  6. 6 LC BBQ37 rated contests · now #122 +144
  7. 7 TRIPLE H BBQ32 rated contests · now #15 +136
  8. 8 JANKY LEG BBQ26 rated contests · now #3 +130
  9. 9 Ham Squad21 rated contests · now #124 +129
  10. 10 MACHETE BOYS BBQ21 rated contests · now #480 +125

Best Rookie Seasons

First contest on record this season

  1. 1 Damn Fine Beef & Swine19 contests 8 GCs
  2. 2 Optimus Swine25 contests · best 682.74 6 GCs
  3. 3 WEEZ'S GROOVIN' BBQ9 contests 3 GCs
  4. 4 Off The Rack BBQ19 contests · best 652.45 2 GCs
  5. 5 The Yardpigs10 contests 2 GCs
  6. 6 ATLANTA BBQ STORE BOYS2 contests 2 GCs
  7. 7 Mispillion Meat Works10 contests 1 GC
  8. 8 NORALA BBQ TEAM8 contests 1 GC
  9. 9 Wrecking Crew BBQ7 contests 1 GC
  10. 10 Red Rock Cafe6 contests · best 690.86 1 GC

Best Chicken

Out of 180

  1. 1 ROLLIN KOLBZSip & Swine BBQ Festival 180.0000
  2. 2 SMOKIN SKULLIESRufus Teague BBQ Throwdown - Pirateland 180.0000
  3. 3 KC SMOKE DAWGSSmoke in the Spring 180.0000
  4. 4 FINGER LEIKAM GOODSmoke in the Spring 180.0000
  5. 5 Piggin' WhiskeySmokin' For Down Syndrome (Formally Bull Moose) 180.0000
  6. 6 SWINE CRUESmokin' For Down Syndrome (Formally Bull Moose) 180.0000
  7. 7 Poppa PigSmokin' For Down Syndrome (Formally Bull Moose) 180.0000
  8. 8 Pops BBQ 22The Golden State Battle III - Day 2 180.0000
  9. 9 Cynical BBQThe Golden State Battle III - Day 2 180.0000
  10. 10 RIBLIFESmoke on the Water Festival (BACKYARD ONLY) 180.0000

Best Pork Ribs

Out of 180

  1. 1 Wine Me, Dine Me and Swine MeSip & Swine BBQ Festival 180.0000
  2. 2 Damn Fine Beef & SwineAmerican Royal Backyard and Steak Contest 180.0000
  3. 3 THE BBQ BUSSmoke on The Shores BBQ Championship 180.0000
  4. 4 DIRT ROAD BBQ3rd Annual Qlathe BBQ Championship 180.0000
  5. 5 GETTIN' BASTEDKickin It Route 66 Barbeque Challenge 180.0000
  6. 6 270 SMOKERSBBQ Gives Back (Day 2) 180.0000
  7. 7 Happy GrillmoreSmoke in the Spring 180.0000
  8. 8 PIGGIN' WHISKEY O.GSmoke in the Spring 180.0000
  9. 9 One2BBQSmokin' For Down Syndrome (Formally Bull Moose) 180.0000
  10. 10 OLD VIRGINIA SMOKEBoss of the Sauce BBQ Festival 180.0000

Best Pork

Out of 180

  1. 1 Texan Dodge 4 JamesHumble BBQ Cook Off 180.0000
  2. 2 The Boys in Que3rd Annual Qlathe BBQ Championship 180.0000
  3. 3 CLARK CREW BBQFirelake BBQ Cook Off-Day 1 180.0000
  4. 4 Rio Valley Meat BBQFirelake BBQ Cook Off-Day 1 180.0000
  5. 5 BUFFALO'S BBQFirelake BBQ Cook Off-Day 1 180.0000
  6. 6 POPPA PIG AND PORKCHOPFirelake BBQ Cook Off-Day 2 180.0000
  7. 7 MAN MEAT BBQKickin It Route 66 Barbeque Challenge 180.0000
  8. 8 SMOKECRAFT - MDBBQ Gives Back (Day 2) 180.0000
  9. 9 JaBs BBQMother Road BBQ Competition 180.0000
  10. 10 SLAPS BBQSmoke in the Spring 180.0000

Best Brisket

Out of 180

  1. 1 Smoking OCDHumble BBQ Cook Off 180.0000
  2. 2 Under the RadarSip & Swine BBQ Festival 180.0000
  3. 3 HOLD YOUR HORSES BBQSip & Swine BBQ Festival 180.0000
  4. 4 THE BBQ BUSSmoke on The Shores BBQ Championship 180.0000
  5. 5 REDNECK SCIENTIFICRufus Teague BBQ Throwdown - Dorchester Shrine Club 180.0000
  6. 6 Sons of a Brisket3rd Annual Qlathe BBQ Championship 180.0000
  7. 7 FAT BOYS BBQ - TEMPLE, TXFirelake BBQ Cook Off-Day 2 180.0000
  8. 8 Top Gun BarbecueBBQ Gives Back (Day 1) 180.0000
  9. 9 ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TNKickin It Route 66 Barbeque Challenge 180.0000
  10. 10 WOLF'S REVENGE BBQBBQ Gives Back (Day 2) 180.0000

Best Backyard Scores

Backyard overall, out of 360

  1. 1 PUCKDADDY'S KILLER QTwin States Barbecue Showdown (BACKYARD ONLY) 356.5828
  2. 2 HESSHOGSBarbecue With A View (BACKYARD ONLY) 355.4172
  3. 3 Furlongs Smoke & SeafoodBoomer Backyard BBQ Cookoff (BACKYARD ONLY) 354.8572
  4. 4 Optimus SwineZom-B-Q-Rufus Teague 354.8572
  5. 5 THE DOUBLE "S" SMOKEHOUSEEsperanza Bonanza 354.2628
  6. 6 BALLINGER BBQBarbecue With A View (BACKYARD ONLY) 353.1316
  7. 7 SNEAKY_CREEK_BBQBarbecue With A View (BACKYARD ONLY) 353.1200
  8. 8 RAMMER JAMMER BBQBarbecue With A View (BACKYARD ONLY) 352.5828
  9. 9 LENOX & SON BBQ COMPANYBarbecue With A View (BACKYARD ONLY) 352.5600
  10. 10 Eddie Wright BBQBarbecue With A View (BACKYARD ONLY) 352.5600

Biggest Fields

Teams at one contest

  1. 1 American Royal World Series of Barbecue-OPEN CONTESTwon by LAST CALL HEROES BBQ 467
  2. 2 American Royal World Series of Barbecue-INVITATIONAL CONTESTwon by TRIPLE H BBQ 185
  3. 3 The Great Lenexa BBQ Battle-Kansas State Championshipwon by Slaps BBQ 145
  4. 4 Humble BBQ Cook Offwon by Chicken Fried BBQ 113
  5. 5 3rd Annual KCBS World Invitational - Openwon by Heavy Smoke BBQ 111
  6. 6 Smoke in the Springwon by Piggin Whiskey O.G. 105
  7. 7 3rd Annual KCBS World Invitational - Master Invitationalwon by FERGOLICIOUS BBQ 92
  8. 8 Shawnee Great Grillers State Championship (TEAM & JUDGES ARE FULL-WAITLIST ONLY)won by Mad Mutt's BBQ 86
  9. 9 Sip & Swine BBQ Festivalwon by TRIPLE H BBQ 81
  10. 10 SC Festival of Discoverywon by SMOKE CENTRAL 81

Closest Finishes

Points between first and second

  1. 1 Angry Jack BBQover Stewbabys BBQ · Pigs & Peaches BBQ Festival 0.0112
  2. 2 GETTIN' BASTEDover 913 BBQ · BBQ & Fly in on the River - Day 1 0.0112
  3. 3 7 SINS BBQover KICKEN ASH AND MAKEN FLAMES · Lassen Annual BBQ Cook-off 0.0116
  4. 4 LC BBQover CHICKEN FRIED BBQ · Mark Marley's Go Big or Go Home BBQ Bash (DAY 1) 0.0228
  5. 5 Not So Famous Dave's BBQover Top Gun Barbecue · Smoke in the Grove 0.0228
  6. 6 HIGH ON THE HAWGover ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN · Bands & BBQ at the Point 0.0228
  7. 7 SCHLUCHTENGRILLER BBQover SOUTHERN DUTCH BBQ · Vienna Alps BBQ Days - Day 2 0.0232
  8. 8 GETTIN' BASTEDover Texas Smoke Whisperer · BBQ & Fly in on the River - Day 2 0.0232
  9. 9 MAD MUTT'S BBQover 913 BBQ · Shawnee Great Grillers State Championship (TEAM & JUDGES ARE FULL-WAITLIST ONLY) 0.0232
  10. 10 AWW HELLover THE REAL SMOKIN ACES · Bordertown BBQ Brawl 0.0340

Biggest Winning Margins

Points clear of second

  1. 1 SMELLAQUEover ROCKY MOUNTAIN SMOKERS · Porkapalooza BBQ Festival 42.99
  2. 2 SOUTHERN DUTCH BBQover PARKSTAD SMOKERS · Gruenenwalds BBQ Battle 25.86
  3. 3 THE BBQ BUSover BIG "E" BBQ · Route 66 Smoke Out 18.29
  4. 4 Justice BBQover PELON PARRILLERO TEAM · Fuego y Humo 2021 16.57
  5. 5 GETTIN' BASTEDover PIGLITICALLY INCORRECT BBQ · Back the Blue 16.05

Biggest Upsets

The winner’s chance on pre-contest ratings

  1. 1 Grillbilly's BBQReal Squeal BBQ Smokeoff 6%
  2. 2 THE HOG MAFIAWhistlestop Festival & Rocket City BBQ 6%
  3. 3 Team GMGHigh Plains Wine, Brews & BBQ Cook Off 8%
  4. 4 Bleacher Bums BBQMadison Ribberfest BBQ & Blues Festival 8%
  5. 5 Kings BBQ TeamPapa Joe's Banjo-B-Que Day 1 8%
  6. 6 Grandpa Val's BBQNew Jersey KnoQ-out: Day 2-CAMPGROUND BBQ SERIES 9%
  7. 7 Darty-QRose Festival KCBS BBQ Competition 9%
  8. 8 GIRLS CAN GRILLIndio California State BBQ Championship & Festival 9%
  9. 9 MAD MUTT'S BBQSmoke on the Plains Derby BBQ & Music Fest 9%
  10. 10 Kings BBQ TeamSwine At the Shrine 9%

Busiest Reps

Contests worked

  1. 1 Alan Rothrock 27
  2. 2 Doug Reid 26
  3. 3 Bunny Tuttle 21
  4. 4 Louise Weidner 21
  5. 5 Rich Tuttle 21
  6. 6 Ralph Williams 20
  7. 7 Karen Jane Williams 19
  8. 8 Rusty Cook 18
  9. 9 Julie Cook 17
  10. 10 Dave Druetzler 15

Busiest States

Contests held · average field

  1. 1 Missouriaverage field 29 32
  2. 2 Kansasaverage field 63 30
  3. 3 Georgiaaverage field 34 23
  4. 4 Oklahomaaverage field 44 17
  5. 5 Illinoisaverage field 30 16
  6. 6 North Carolinaaverage field 24 15
  7. 7 Alabamaaverage field 26 13
  8. 8 Indianaaverage field 32 11
  9. 9 Mississippiaverage field 26 11
  10. 10 Tennesseeaverage field 37 11
Section BMeat by MeatB2

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

MeatAverageAvg. winnerEntries180sper 1,000WinnersBest of the year
Chicken 166.07 177.48 10,296 112 10.9 235 ROLLIN KOLBZ 180
Pork Ribs 164.74 176.73 10,794 51 4.7 252 Wine Me, Dine Me and Swine Me 180
Pork 165.62 177.73 9,046 86 9.5 185 Texan Dodge 4 James 180
Brisket 163.83 177.46 8,711 63 7.2 178 Smoking OCD 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 1 113 679.3140 CHICKEN FRIED BBQ 113 Humble BBQ Cook Off 2
February 3 48 700.4796 SMOKIN' SWEETMEATS 31 Brasstown Valley BBQ Throwdown (TEAMS & JUDGES FULL) 0
March 14 482 709.6684 GETTIN' BASTED 81 Sip & Swine BBQ Festival 25
April 22 720 709.1200 ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN 105 Smoke in the Spring 25
May 33 757 706.8228 RAZORRACKS 60 Minnesota in May 24
June 41 1,160 712.5716 LC BBQ 145 The Great Lenexa BBQ Battle-Kansas State Championship 37
July 37 774 716.0116 SLAPS BBQ 81 SC Festival of Discovery 29
August 46 1,156 711.4172 MONTANA OUTLAW BBQ 49 Whistlestop Festival & Rocket City BBQ 44
September 48 1,326 711.4172 SLAPS BBQ 467 American Royal World Series of Barbecue-OPEN CONTEST 56
October 49 937 713.1200 SMOKIN SKULLIES 70 32nd Annual Jack Daniel's World Championship Invitational Barbecue (Competitor's Series) (JUDGES BY INVITATION ONLY) 46
November 13 394 706.8228 Fergolicious BBQ 111 3rd Annual KCBS World Invitational - Open 21
December 3 85 698.2172 Heavy Smoke BBQ 23 Brew N Que Perth 2021 3
Section BThe Year Against the LastB4

2021 set against 2020.

Measure20212020Change
Contests scored 310 134 ▲ 176 (131%)
Teams competing 4,258 2,195 ▲ 2,063 (94%)
Team entries 10,553 5,348 ▲ 5,205 (97%)
Different Grand Champions 206 101 ▲ 105 (104%)
Average field 31.8 36.8 ▼ 5.0 (-14%)
Biggest field 467 117 ▲ 350 (299%)
Average winning score 697.22 696.27 ▲ 0.95
Top score 716.0116 712.5832 ▲ 3.4284
Perfect 180s 312 141 ▲ 171 (121%)

Notes on the Season from the 2021 season page

  • Jan 18 → Dec 11 Season ran first and last contest on the 2021 calendar
  • 4.64 Average winning margin across 252 Master contests
  • 12,212 Walks to the stage top-ten calls handed out in the four meats
  • 1,482 New teams first tracked contest anywhere was in 2021
  • 341 Contest series distinct recurring contests on the calendar
  • 17 contests Busiest weekend all on Aug 20, 2021
  • 98 Reps working KCBS reps on the season’s contests
  • Brisket Toughest table lowest average of the four meats at 163.83
  • 13 Outside the rating invitationals and non-points contests that do not move a power rating
  • 38 Cancelled contests that came off the calendar
  • 44 Results still out of 354 contests on the 2021 calendar
Section CBack IssuesC1

Every season in review, and every month with scored results, back to the start of the record. ← 2020 in review 2022 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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