In this edition
Every sanctioned contest scored in September 2023.
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
- The Backyard A7
- New to the Circuit A8
- Box Scores B1
- Complete Results B4
- Back Issues C4
By invitation only
FIRE AT THE END OF THE DAY Wins the American Royal Invitational
Best of 211 invited teams, with Damn Fine Beef & Swine in reserve — a win for the record book that leaves the power rating alone.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — FIRE AT THE END OF THE DAY won American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Invitational Contest, best of 211 invited teams; Damn Fine Beef & Swine took reserve. An invite-only field, so it leaves the power rating alone and goes straight into the record book.
Across September 2023, 68 sanctioned contests were scored, across 24 states and provinces, drawing 1,625 teams to the turn-in table. Judges made 2,186 top-ten calls and handed out 77 perfect 180s. 435 teams appear in the record for the first time. The full standings run on B1.
Every Grand Championship in this edition — 66 in all. The 30 oldest are listed under Complete Results, B4.
- MEMPHIS ORIGINAL BBQ Downtown Jonesboro BBQ Festival
- TX BBQ Depot Monterrey BBQ Fest
- Old Town Franklin BBQ Field, Fire Fork!
- Valtek Permian Basin Barbeque Cook-off (COMPETITOR SERIES)
- JANKY LEG BBQ American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Open Contest
- FIRE AT THE END OF THE DAY American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Invitational Contest
- Gettin' Basted Nor'Easter BBQ Showdown - CAMPGROUND BBQ SERIES (Day 2)
- 333 BBQ Smoke 'N the Valley
- BETTER HALF BARBECUE Americamps BBQ Throwdown - Day 2 (BACKYARD ONLY)
- Gettin' Basted Nor'Easter BBQ Showdown - CAMPGROUND BBQ SERIES (ONE MEAT RIBS)
- Backcorner BBQ KCBS International BBQ Contest Vuur en Vlees
- Bunch of Swines Smoke on the Waters 2023
- Slaps BBQ Shawnee Great Grillers
- Chunky BBQ Pigmaster's BBQ Challenge
- Gettin' Basted Nor'Easter BBQ Showdown - CAMPGROUND BBQ SERIES (Day 1)
- POOR BOYS BBQ Americamps BBQ Throwdown - Day 1 (BACKYARD ONLY)
- Mad Rocket O'So Good BBQ Festival (BACKYARD ONLY) #1
- Bourbon and Blues BBQ O'So Good BBQ Festival (One Meat Ribs)
- Jury's Out O'So Good BBQ Festival (BACKYARD ONLY) #2
- Janky Leg BBQ Murphysboro BBQ Cook-off/Praise the Lard
- Makdaddy BBQ Vine St BBQ Competition & Fest (BACKYARD ONLY)
- Brisket Butts Embers and Ice Pitmaster Championship (formerly Porkapalooza BBQ Festival)
- Fergolicious BBQ Saluting with Smoke - Honor Q Reboot
- Cooklounge BBQ FO.G & Smoke 2023
- Bunch of Swines Het BBQkampioenschap van het Waasland 2023
- Backcorner BBQ Het BBQkampioenschap van het Waasland 2023 (ONE MEAT RIBS)
- Last Call Heros BBQ Tri City BBQ Fest
- Glamping Grillers Reuniting After War BBQ Competition
- RAZORRACKS Cherokee Strip BBQ & Chili Cook-Off
- American Fire BBQ 35th Annual Jesse James Barbeque Cook Out
- YES, DEAR BBQ Smoketember Fest
- QUE U Saluting with Smoke Single Meat - Rib Burn (ONE MEAT RIBS)
- Smolder & Wiser 12 Bridge Rib Cook-Off (ONE MEAT RIBS)
- Optimus Swine Clayton BBQ Challenge
- QUE U Saluting with Smoke (COMPETITOR'S SERIES)
- SMOKED & FURIOUS Cherokee Strip BBQ & Chili Cook-Off (ONE MEAT RIBS)
Score of the month
GETTIN' BASTED Turns In the Month’s Best Card
713.1200 out of 720 at Nor'Easter BBQ Showdown - CAMPGROUND BBQ SERIES (Day 2) — the highest Master overall scored in September 2023.
713.1200 Master overall, out of 720
SOUTHWICK, Mass. — GETTIN' BASTED put up 713.1200 at Nor'Easter BBQ Showdown - CAMPGROUND BBQ SERIES (Day 2) — the highest overall of the month.
Hottest hand
Three Grand Championships in Sep 2023 for POOR BOYS BBQ
Nobody else in the field ran a hotter hand.
3× Grand Championships
POOR BOYS BBQ took 3 Grand Championships in September 2023.
They will not let it go
Three Straight at Green Mountain BBQ Championship - Campground BBQ Series for Smokin' Hoggz
Every edition of Green Mountain BBQ Championship - Campground BBQ Series since 2022 has gone the same way.
3 in a row wins at this contest
BRAINTREE, Vt. — Smokin' Hoggz won Green Mountain BBQ Championship - CAMPGROUND BBQ SERIES again — 3 straight editions of this contest.
Invite-only fields. Their results go into every team’s record; they don’t move the power rating.
American Royal Invitational
Reserve: Damn Fine Beef & Swine
American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Invitational Contest — Sept. 27, Kansas City, Kan.
The invitational circuit → · every invitational on record, who keeps getting invited, and who wins them.
Also in Sep 2023
MEMPHIS ORIGINAL BBQ Wins Its First, on the 59th Try
MEMPHIS ORIGINAL BBQ won their first Grand Championship at Downtown Jonesboro BBQ Festival, in their 59th contest in the data.
The Long Shot Comes In at Navy SEAL Danny Dietz Memorial Classic Cookoff
Race Crew Drum Smokers won Navy SEAL Danny Dietz Memorial Classic Cookoff over top-rated Meat Candy Q as the ratings underdog.
Judges Hand Out 77 Perfect 180s
Six judges, every card a 9: 77 perfect 180s were handed out in September 2023.
Decided by 0.0000 of a Point
Mad Rocket Barbecue edged NORALA BBQ TEAM by 0.0000 at O'So Good BBQ Festival (BACKYARD ONLY) #1.
AMERICAN FIRE BBQ Back on Top After Two Years
AMERICAN FIRE BBQ won 35th Annual Jesse James Barbeque Cook Out — their first Grand Championship since October 2020, after 34 contests without one.
THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE SMOKE Sets the Record at Anchor City Cook-Off
THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE SMOKE put up 703.3712 at Anchor City Cook-Off — the best overall in 9 editions of the contest on record, past the old mark of 700.5484.
BrewsCue Climbs 46 Rating Points
BrewsCue gained 46 rating points across 5 contests — the biggest climb of the month.
31 State Champions Crowned
31 state championships were decided in September 2023. The biggest, American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Open Contest (487 teams), went to JANKY LEG BBQ.
First Time Out, Race Crew Drum Smokers Takes 1st
Race Crew Drum Smokers finished 1st at Navy SEAL Danny Dietz Memorial Classic Cookoff — the first contest they appear in anywhere in the data.
Smokey Bees BBQ - MS Tops the Backyard Board at Bernard Blues and BBQ Cookoff (BACKYARD ONLY)
Smokey Bees BBQ - MS put up 355.4172 on the Backyard board at Bernard Blues and BBQ Cookoff (BACKYARD ONLY) — two meats, a different scale, and the same nerves.
Brisket Butts Runs Away With Embers and Ice Pitmaster Championship
Brisket Butts won Embers and Ice Pitmaster Championship (formerly Porkapalooza BBQ Festival) by 13.1312 points over Notorious P.I.G. — the widest winning margin of the month.
487 Teams Roll Into Kansas City
American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Open Contest drew 487 teams, and JANKY LEG BBQ won it.
SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ Cooks Its 250th Contest
SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ cooked their 250th contest on record at American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Open Contest, with 41 Grand Championships along the way.
Nobody Hauled Further Than GETTIN' BASTED
GETTIN' BASTED cooked 11 contests in September 2023 — nobody hauled the rig further.
JANKY LEG BBQ Wins American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Open Contest Without Winning a Meat
JANKY LEG BBQ won American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Open Contest without winning a single meat — their best category finish was 13th.
A New Contest Opens in Waller
Navy SEAL Danny Dietz Memorial Classic Cookoff ran for the first time on record, drawing 99 teams, and Race Crew Drum Smokers won it. Somebody put in the work to make a new contest happen.
MACHETE BOYS BBQ Takes Reserve Two Times
MACHETE BOYS BBQ finished second overall 2 times in September 2023 without a Grand Championship — one place short every time.
Twelve Contests on One Friday
12 sanctioned contests were cooked on 8 Sep alone.
Eugene Wickham Works Seven Contests
Eugene Wickham repped 7 contests in September 2023 — somebody has to run the table.
Perfect 180s
77 perfect scores — six judges, every card a nine.
- Chicken FIRE DANCER BBQ Downtown Jonesboro BBQ Festival · Sept. 29
- Brisket MEMPHIS ORIGINAL BBQ Downtown Jonesboro BBQ Festival · Sept. 29
- Pork Poppa Pig Downtown Jonesboro BBQ Festival · Sept. 29
- Brisket 7 SINS BBQ American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Open Contest · Sept. 27
- Pork Barton BBQ American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Open Contest · Sept. 27
- Pork Ribs Bushwood BBQ American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Open Contest · Sept. 27
- Pork CHICKEN FRIED BBQ American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Open Contest · Sept. 27
- Brisket COCAMOKE SMOKE BBQ American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Open Contest · Sept. 27
- Pork Chingon BBQ American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Invitational Contest · Sept. 27
- Brisket FIRE AT THE END OF THE DAY American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Invitational Contest · Sept. 27
- Brisket Fergolicious BBQ American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Invitational Contest · Sept. 27
- Pork GETTIN' BASTED American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Open Contest · Sept. 27
- Pork GETTIN' SAUCED American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Open Contest · Sept. 27
- Pork Ribs GOTHIC TOWN GRILLERS American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Invitational Contest · Sept. 27
- Pork Ribs Going Yard BBQ American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Open Contest · Sept. 27
- Pork Ribs HOT COLE'S BBQ American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Invitational Contest · Sept. 27
- Brisket Hickory Nuts American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Open Contest · Sept. 27
- Chicken LAZY BACON BBQ American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Open Contest · Sept. 27
- Brisket LOVE 2 Q American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Invitational Contest · Sept. 27
- Pork Ribs Meat Candy Q American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Invitational Contest · Sept. 27
- Pork Ribs PIGLITICALLY INCORRECT BBQ American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Invitational Contest · Sept. 27
- Brisket Rio Valley Meat BBQ American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Open Contest · Sept. 27
- Pork Ribs SMOKIN' OUTLAWS American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Open Contest · Sept. 27
- Pork Ribs SWEET SMOKE Q FLORIDA American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Open Contest · Sept. 27
…and 53 more.
The Ratings Market Power rating and the move over Sep 2023; # is the team’s place in the power rankings
| Team | Rating | Chg. |
|---|---|---|
| BrewsCue #266 | 1,734 | ▲ 46 |
| POOR BOYS BBQ #202 | 1,756 | ▲ 41 |
| Brisket Butts #579 | 1,663 | ▲ 40 |
| GOOD GOOGLY GOO BBQ #470 | 1,684 | ▲ 36 |
| Dirt Bag Barbeque #1,275 | 1,581 | ▲ 35 |
| Leaning Jowler BBQ #103 | 1,806 | ▲ 34 |
| SMOKIN' OUTLAWS #246 | 1,743 | ▲ 34 |
| Smokey Bees BBQ - MS #152 | 1,777 | ▲ 33 |
| Team | Rating | Chg. |
|---|---|---|
| The BBQ Ranch #380 | 1,703 | ▲ 33 |
| Smokin Reefer BBQ #1,332 | 1,577 | ▲ 33 |
| 5 Alarm BBQ #1,290 | 1,580 | ▼ 27 |
| IN DEEP SAUCE #1,214 | 1,586 | ▼ 27 |
| Smokin Aces #2,138 | 1,533 | ▼ 29 |
| DE VLIEGENDE HOLLANDER BBQ-TEAM #622 | 1,655 | ▼ 39 |
| Bourbon & Blues BBQ #1,184 | 1,588 | ▼ 46 |
Full power rankings → · Ratings move only on rated contests; invitationals and non-points events are excluded.
The Backyard Two meats, out of 360 — never against the Master board
The Backyard division was cooked at 17 contests in Sep 2023.
- 1 Smokey Bees BBQ - MS Bernard Blues and BBQ Cookoff (BACKYARD ONLY) · Cullman, Ala. 355.4172
- 2 Shmack Q Anchor City Cook-Off · Centralia, Mo. 352
- 3 Mad Rocket Barbecue O'So Good BBQ Festival (BACKYARD ONLY) #1 · Oneonta, Ala. 351.9772
- 4 NORALA BBQ TEAM O'So Good BBQ Festival (BACKYARD ONLY) #1 · Oneonta, Ala. 351.9772
- 5 POOR BOYS BBQ Forks of the Buffalo BBQ Throwdown (Day 2) · Mannington, W.Va. 351.4516
- 6 Smokey Bey's Barbecue Car-B-Que (BACKYARD ONLY) · Belton, Mo. 350.8344
- 7 Jury's Out O'So Good BBQ Festival (BACKYARD ONLY) #2 · Oneonta, Ala. 350.8344
- 8 Sensuous BBQ Bent Brewstillery BBQ (BACKYARD ONLY) · Roseville, Minn. 349.1316
- 9 Leaning Jowler BBQ Forks of the Buffalo BBQ Throwdown (Day 2) · Mannington, W.Va. 348.5944
- 10 Fluffy Butt BBQ Car-B-Que (BACKYARD ONLY) · Belton, Mo. 348.5256
The Backyard series in full → · Its own record board, its own champions and its own Team of the Year.
New to the Circuit First appearance anywhere in the record — the figure is their best finish
- 1st KC TRIAL LAW WINGS 4 WATER 2023 (COMPETITOR SERIES)
- 1st Makdaddy BBQ Vine St BBQ Competition & Fest (BACKYARD ONLY)
- 1st Mini Butts Barbeque on the Bow Festival
- 1st Race Crew Drum Smokers Navy SEAL Danny Dietz Memorial Classic Cookoff
- 2nd Diamondback Energy Permian Basin Barbeque Cook-off (COMPETITOR SERIES)
- 2nd Northern Lights Barbecue Company Barbeque on the Bow Festival
- 3rd Bout Time BBQ Navy SEAL Danny Dietz Memorial Classic Cookoff
- 3rd Brinton Electric WINGS 4 WATER 2023 (COMPETITOR SERIES)
- 3rd Smokin' Fools Tri City BBQ Fest
- 3rd TiMMins Smoke Show BBQ Team Barbeque on the Bow Festival
- 4th DrumBo Embers and Ice Pitmaster Championship (formerly Porkapalooza BBQ Festival)
- 4th Mizzou bbqer Anchor City Cook-Off
- 4th Pintail Completions Permian Basin Barbeque Cook-off (COMPETITOR SERIES)
- 4th REFFERRAL MADNESS WINGS 4 WATER 2023 (COMPETITOR SERIES)
- 4th UCI BBQ Navy SEAL Danny Dietz Memorial Classic Cookoff
- 5th AFLAC WINGS 4 WATER 2023 (COMPETITOR SERIES)
- 5th Burnt Skull BBQ 35th Annual Jesse James Barbeque Cook Out
- 5th Overproofed BBQ Team Vine St BBQ Competition & Fest (BACKYARD ONLY)
What a first season usually looks like → · 12 contests also ran for the first time on record: Navy SEAL Danny Dietz Memorial Classic Cookoff, Permian Basin Barbeque Cook-off (COMPETITOR SERIES), Shawnee Great Grillers, Barbeque on the Bow Festival, 7th Annual Smoke on the Trails, WINGS 4 WATER 2023 (COMPETITOR SERIES), Septemberfest BBQ & RibEye Steak Cook-off Challenge, Embers and Ice Pitmaster Championship (formerly Porkapalooza BBQ Festival), Primo BBQ Bash, 35th Annual Jesse James Barbeque Cook Out, Smoke 'N the Valley, 12 Bridge Rib Cook-Off (ONE MEAT RIBS).
Best of Each Meat
Both series, out of 180
| Meat | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken†24 | GETTIN' BASTED Smoke on the River |
180 |
| Pork Ribs†13 | Smoke This Drink That BBQ Car-B-Que (BACKYARD ONLY) |
180 |
| Pork†21 | Smoked & Furious Smoke on the River |
180 |
| Brisket†19 | ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN Fire in the Foothills BBQ Festival |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| GETTIN' BASTED | 11 | 3 | 1 |
| JANKY LEG BBQ | 9 | 3 | 1 |
| QUE U | 9 | 1 | 1 |
| MAN MEAT BBQ | 9 | — | 2 |
| THE BBQ BUS | 8 | 1 | 1 |
| BrewsCue | 8 | — | 2 |
| MEAT RUSHMORE BBQ | 8 | — | 2 |
| SMOKECRAFT - MD | 8 | — | 2 |
| PORKRASTINATORS | 8 | — | 3 |
| GOOD GOOGLY GOO BBQ | 7 | 1 | 1 |
| PADDY MCQ'S | 7 | 1 | 1 |
| Shiggin aint easy | 7 | — | 2 |
| CycloneBBQ | 7 | — | 4 |
| WE WILL ROCK QUE | 7 | — | 4 |
| Colorado Bulldawg BBQ | 7 | — | 6 |
Who Ran the Table
Contests worked · states & provinces
| Rep | C | St. |
|---|---|---|
| Eugene Wickham | 7 | 3 |
| Larry Voth | 7 | 2 |
| Lynda Voth | 7 | 2 |
| Sarah Wickham | 7 | 3 |
| Bill Wright | 6 | 2 |
| Dave Rogers | 6 | 2 |
| Forrest Bruce | 6 | 1 |
| Julie Cook | 6 | 2 |
| Kim Wright | 6 | 2 |
| Larry Hadley | 6 | 1 |
| Peg Rogers | 6 | 2 |
| Rusty Cook | 6 | 2 |
| Becky Druetzler | 5 | 1 |
| Dave Druetzler | 5 | 1 |
| Marianne Van Galen | 5 | — |
| Mayco Van Galen | 5 | — |
| Louise Weidner | 4 | 2 |
| Robert McKee | 4 | 2 |
| Brenda Black | 3 | 2 |
| Bunny Tuttle | 3 | 3 |
Where They Cooked
Contests · teams
| State/Prov. | C | Teams |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas | 7 | 667 |
| Illinois | 7 | 119 |
| Missouri | 5 | 126 |
| Alabama | 4 | 33 |
| North Carolina | 3 | 60 |
| Massachusetts | 3 | 46 |
| Oklahoma | 3 | 45 |
| Wisconsin | 3 | 45 |
| Vermont | 3 | 26 |
| West Virginia | 3 | 24 |
| Texas | 2 | 199 |
| Alberta | 2 | 82 |
| Kentucky | 2 | 77 |
| California | 2 | 41 |
| Virginia | 2 | 24 |
| Iowa | 1 | 39 |
| Nebraska | 1 | 34 |
| Minnesota | 1 | 30 |
| South Dakota | 1 | 28 |
| Saskatchewan | 1 | 26 |
Every sanctioned contest scored in this edition — 68 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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