It's always quiet at the beginning of the Yuletide Beery Photo Contest. The calm before the blizzard. In addition to Jerry Davison's photo highlighted over the weekend, we are up to four entrants so far. Joining Jerry is Chris Moore of New Zealand who sent in the four photos above of his brewing day making a batch for his friends' wedding. Chris assures us (and I hope the bride) than any bugs were strained out of the boil.

Max Bahnson of Prague by way of Argentina and the Pivni Filosof has sent in the seven entries above. I really like the look of that drinking vessel. Max called the photo "Drinking from the Korbelsaurus". Looks like about a two litre tipple to me. Maybe twice that now that I look again.

And Knut Albert Solem of Norway - the man who has been watching and writing about the northern European scene from before anyone thought there was one - sent in this entry for the beer and snow contest. Apparently it is from his mountain lair... err... compound... um... retreat where this now is, I am assured, this year's snow. We are far from snow as yet this year. Went for a walk in shorts today. Crazy. But not as crazy as the prize pack pledges that are coming in already:

♦ Alistair Reece of the blog Fuggled has pledged the gift of some Fuggled merchandise for a happy winner this year.
♦ And, has been the case for so many years, Ontario's Roland and Russell are offering a gift pack of gifts for some artsy beer nerd. This is a gift that needs a meet up so, practically speaking, it's available to anyone within a drive of the west end of Lake Ontario. Which includes WNY and Erie Co., PA as long as you can cross the border to take advantage of the prize.
♦ Jeff Alworth of Portland, Oregon and the blog Beervana has pledged a few copies of his Beer Tasting Tool Kit as well as some other treats.
♦ Max Bahnson who entered the seven photos above also submitted his pledge of a Maximum Max Goodie Bag of a copy of his book Prague: A Pisshead's Pub Guide as well as a rare opportunity to get yourself to Prague and buy him beer. [Legal Disclaimer: the duration of said meeting is entirely up to Max but is heavily conditional on the supply of beer provided to Max during said meeting.]
♦ And last but certainly not lease, Stan Hieronymus of Appellation Beer has offered copies of his book "Brew Like a Monk" as well as his upcoming "For the Love of Hops". Fabulous additions to the pledge pool.

Clearly there is more work to do. More photos to come in and more prizes to pledge. Anything you are looking for in particular? Let me know. I will hit them up.