In this edition
Every sanctioned contest scored in December 2023.
Covering KCBS-sanctioned contests
The Smoke Ring
Competition Barbecue’s Paper of Record
The Index
- Grand Champions A2
- The Month in Brief A3
- Perfect Scores A5
- Ratings Market A6
- The Backyard A7
- New to the Circuit A8
- Box Scores B1
- Complete Results B4
- Back Issues C4
Score of the month
Heavy Smoke BBQ Turns In the Month’s Best Card
698.1940 out of 720 at Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship — the highest Master overall scored in December 2023.
top 3% of every Master overall ever scored
DEMOPOLIS, Ala. — Heavy Smoke BBQ put up 698.1940 at Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship — the highest overall of the month.
Across December 2023, 1 sanctioned contest was scored, in one state or province, drawing 35 teams to the turn-in table. Judges made 60 top-ten calls and handed out 3 perfect 180s. 4 teams appear in the record for the first time. The full standings run on B1.
Every Grand Championship in this edition — 1 in all.
First one ever
Modest Meats Wins Its First, on the 14th Try
A first Grand Championship at Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship, after 14 contests in the record.
14th contest — and their first GC
DEMOPOLIS, Ala. — Modest Meats won their first Grand Championship at Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship, in their 14th contest in the data.
Perfect 180s
Judges Hand Out Three Perfect 180s
Six cards, every one a nine — 3 times in December 2023.
3 perfect scores handed out
Six judges, every card a 9: 3 perfect 180s were handed out in December 2023.
Closest call
Decided by 0.0000 of a Point
Heavy Smoke BBQ edged CONTAGIOUS Q at Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship — the closest finish of the month.
0.0000 points between 1st and 2nd
DEMOPOLIS, Ala. — Heavy Smoke BBQ edged CONTAGIOUS Q by 0.0000 at Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship.
Also in Dec 2023
Modest Meats Climbs 19 Rating Points
Modest Meats gained 19 rating points across 1 contest — the biggest climb of the month.
Heavy Smoke BBQ Crowned at Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship
Heavy Smoke BBQ won Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship, a state championship, against a field of 17.
Modest Meats Tops the Backyard Board at Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship
Modest Meats put up 347.3712 on the Backyard board at Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship — two meats, a different scale, and the same nerves.
17 Teams Roll Into Demopolis
Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship drew 17 teams, and Heavy Smoke BBQ won it.
Perfect 180s
3 perfect scores — six judges, every card a nine.
- Pork Ribs Heavy Smoke BBQ Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship · Dec. 1
- Pork Ribs Kith n' Kin Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship · Dec. 1
- Brisket MEMPHIS ORIGINAL BBQ Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship · Dec. 1
The Ratings Market Power rating and the move over Dec 2023; # is the team’s place in the power rankings
| Team | Rating | Chg. |
|---|---|---|
| Modest Meats #1,756 | 1,550 | ▲ 19 |
| Colonel Rusty's #3,419 | 1,495 | ▲ 14 |
| Deviant Smoke #610 | 1,658 | ▲ 13 |
| Willingham's #3,199 | 1,501 | ▲ 8 |
| MEMPHIS ORIGINAL BBQ #982 | 1,607 | ▲ 8 |
| CONTAGIOUS Q #133 | 1,785 | ▲ 7 |
| Heavy Smoke BBQ #112 | 1,800 | ▲ 7 |
| BatWing BBQ #3,213 | 1,500 | ▲ 7 |
| Team | Rating | Chg. |
|---|---|---|
| Poppa Pig #126 | 1,788 | ▲ 6 |
| Kith n' Kin #254 | 1,740 | ▲ 5 |
| M and M Finger Lickin' BBQ | 1,490 | ▼ 10 |
| Organizer Portal #95 | 1,812 | ▼ 10 |
| Little Stankys BBQ | 1,489 | ▼ 11 |
| Elect Rob Lee | 1,488 | ▼ 12 |
| JIGGY PIGGY #524 | 1,672 | ▼ 12 |
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 one contest in Dec 2023.
- 1 Modest Meats Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship · Demopolis, Ala. 347.3712
- 2 Deviant Smoke Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship · Demopolis, Ala. 346.2744
- 3 NORALA BBQ TEAM Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship · Demopolis, Ala. 345.0856
- 4 Colonel Rusty's Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship · Demopolis, Ala. 343.4060
- 5 Smokey Bees BBQ - MS Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship · Demopolis, Ala. 341.6456
- 6 RIBLIFE Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship · Demopolis, Ala. 335.9084
- 7 SLATER HOUSE BBQ Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship · Demopolis, Ala. 329.6228
- 8 BatWing BBQ Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship · Demopolis, Ala. 327.8856
- 9 Captain Morgans Barbeque Team Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship · Demopolis, Ala. 326.8000
- 10 Mass Kaoss Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship · Demopolis, Ala. 326.7772
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
Best of Each Meat
Both series, out of 180
| Meat | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken | COCAMOKE SMOKE BBQ Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship |
177.7028 |
| Pork Ribs†2 | Heavy Smoke BBQ Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship |
180 |
| Pork | MEMPHIS ORIGINAL BBQ Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship |
177.7028 |
| Brisket† | MEMPHIS ORIGINAL BBQ Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy Smoke BBQ | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Modest Meats | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| CONTAGIOUS Q | 1 | — | 2 |
| Deviant Smoke | 1 | — | 2 |
| NORALA BBQ TEAM | 1 | — | 3 |
| Poppa Pig | 1 | — | 3 |
| Colonel Rusty's | 1 | — | 4 |
| MEMPHIS ORIGINAL BBQ | 1 | — | 4 |
| Kith n' Kin | 1 | — | 5 |
| Smokey Bees BBQ - MS | 1 | — | 5 |
| Off The Rack BBQ | 1 | — | 6 |
| RIBLIFE | 1 | — | 6 |
| ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN | 1 | — | 7 |
| SLATER HOUSE BBQ | 1 | — | 7 |
| BatWing BBQ | 1 | — | 8 |
Who Ran the Table
Contests worked · states & provinces
| Rep | C | St. |
|---|---|---|
| Carol Bigler | 1 | 1 |
| Randy G Bigler | 1 | 1 |
Where They Cooked
Contests · teams
| State/Prov. | C | Teams |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 1 | 35 |
Every sanctioned contest scored in this edition — 1 in all, newest first. Click a column head to sort; click a row for the contest.
| Contest | Grand Champion | High score |
|---|---|---|
| Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship Dec. 1 · Demopolis, Ala. · 17 teams |
Heavy Smoke BBQ | 698.1940 |
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 →
Every month with scored results, back to the start of the record. ← November 2023 January 2024 → Latest edition
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