Big Shave 2012
Wow, it’s been a LONG time since we’ve blogged. We’ve just about given up blogging for Twitter (see @ryanmaple and @christimaple for our feeds) but every so often, something comes around that you just can’t summarize in 140 characters.
It’s that time of year again, folks: #bigshave2012!
I’ve been growing the beard since July and, quite honestly, it’s beginning to annoy me. Couple that with the fact that it’s been an unseasonably warm winter, and the urge to shave it — and move on — has overtaken the urge to see how long I can grow it. I haven’t done a big shave contest in a while (you can see the last one in 2009 here), and I haven’t brewed in a few weeks, so I thought I’d have one this year. You can see my current beard (photo was taken the morning of Sunday, January 15th) in the photo to the left — click on it to get a high-res version.
So, without further adieu, here are the contest details!
Right before I shave or on January 21st, whichever comes first, Christi will pluck (with relish!) ten (10) random hairs, solely at her discretion, from my face. These hairs will be set aside for judging. She will measure all ten of them, in millimeters, then calculate the average length. This average length is what you all will be guessing.
Each person is entitled to one (1) guess. This guess may be provided in whatever measurement you want, but it will be converted into millimeters for the purposes of judging.
The prize is 2.5 gallons — half a batch — of #homebrew and, of course, bragging rights. I’ll brew whatever the winner wants, within reason (must be an ale, and something I can brew with my equipment), and will bottle and ship it to them at my expense.
Your guess must be submitted, via email, to bigshave@mapletrees.com, by 9am on Saturday, January 21st. Christi is the judge, and her judgement is final. She will resolve all conflicts and questions.
Ben Thomas (@ibackupyourshit) is the defending champion, and he can attest to the quality of the homebrew. The 2009 contest was a success, but let’s make this year’s even better! Spread this contest around to anybody you know who likes beer, or facial hair. The more the merrier!
Leave questions and notes in the comments below. Please do NOT put any guesses there — you don’t want to help out anybody else, do you?
Lastly, I may shave before January 21st (maybe today, maybe tomorrow, we’ll see) but that doesn’t change the terms of this contest. Good luck, everybody!