Twenty-one Georgia Barbecue Association teams returned to Acworth, Georgia on May 8, 2021 for the Rotary Club’s annual Smoke on the Lake Festival and BBQ competition.  As an event held “In Association with the GBA” rather than formally sanctioned, teams with all levels of experience competed against one another in chicken, pork, and ribs, but included no finals or Team of the Year points.  Moving to the new, larger Logan Farm Park located closer to downtown Acworth for the first time resulted in immediately breaking the previous records for attendance and fund raising for Rotary’s charitable projects.      

When the smoke cleared, Que’n Stew’n & Brew’n was the Grand Champion with the highest cumulative score of the day across all three categories, and went home with bragging rights, a check for $1,000, and a unique trophy.  Bird Dawg BBQ was the Reserve Champion and collected $500 and a trophy for the second highest points.  

Que’n Stew’n & Brew’n won the chicken category with the only 600 score of the entire day.  Bird Dawg BBQ finished second, followed by Butcher’s Best.   

In pork, it was Southern Thunder BBQ Cooking School taking the top spot, followed by Piedmont Church, and Pig Kahuna. 

Places were reversed in ribs as Bird Dawg BBQ finished first, while Que’n Stew’n & Brew’n was second.  Ring of Fire BBQ finished third.

Full contest results can be found by clicking the links below.

 Full Chicken, Pork, and Rib Results   

All Cumulative Scores    

The GBA is currently scheduled to enter a summer break before returning to action on August 21 in Sylvester, Georgia, and then heading into at least 10 sanctioned events in the fall of 2021.  Please keep up with all of the upcoming GBA events at https://www.bbqga.org/

Seventeen professional BBQ teams gathered in Donalsonville, Georgia on Halloween to compete for more than $10,000 in prize money.      

Kelvin’s BBQ was named the Grand Champion and took home a $2,000 check and axe trophy for their pulled pork entry.  Off the Chain ended an impressive day by claiming the Reserve Grand Champion title after reaching the finals in all three meat categories. They also earned a $2,000 check, trophy, and the only 600 of the day for their preliminary pulled pork entry along the way. 

Hog N’ Ass won loin after making finals in that category for the second straight contest.  Off the Chain was second, and local team Bite My Butt BBQ finished in third.

Kelvin’s BBQ finished first in pulled pork.  Budmeisters returned to GBA action in second place, followed by Off the Chain.

Sensational Pigs claimed first place in ribs, with Off the Chain in second. Flyin Pig Bar-B-Que was third.

Full contest results can be found by clicking the links below.

 Full Loin, Pork, and Rib Results   

All Reserve Scores    

The last contest of 2020 is scheduled for Moultrie on December 5.  Please check out these and all of our other upcoming events for 2021 at https://www.bbqga.org/

Twenty–six professional BBQ teams kicked off the 2021 Georgia Barbecue Association season in Barnesville, GA on April 13, 2021.  Although Barnesville has hosted various BBQ competitions for years, this was the first of hopefully many times the GBA has sanctioned their event.  In addition to the professional BBQ contest paying out $8,400 in prize money, there was a town festival, vendors, live music, and ancillary contests open to all.        

After the smoke had cleared, Smokin the Good Stuff emerged as the Grand Champion and took home the $2,000 check and trophy for their loin entry.  Rescue Smokers ended an impressive day by claiming the title of Reserve Grand Champion after reaching the finals in all three meat categories.  Along the way, they not only set a record reserve score of 1799.4 (out of a possible 1800), but also earned a $1,500 check, trophy, and the only 600 of the day for their preliminary pulled pork entry. 

Smokin the Good Stuff won loin, followed by Rescue Smokers, and Flyin Pig Bar-B-Que. 

First place in pulled pork went to Bayshore Porkers.  Rescue Smokers claimed second, and Off the Chain was third.

Recue Smokers took first place in ribs.  Posse BBQ was second, with Hog N Ass coming in third.   

Full contest results can be found by clicking the links below.

 Full Loin, Pork, and Rib Results   

All Reserve Scores    

The GBA has two events scheduled for May 8, 2021.  Pro teams will be in Ocilla for the first time as part of the town’s Prater Fest and Soulman Barbecue.  Acworth will host its annual Smoke on the Lake contest on the same day to benefit the local Rotary Club.  That contest is being held in Association with the GBA and open to any team with an active GBA member.  Please check out these and all of our other upcoming events for 2021 at https://www.bbqga.org/