2025 Annual Spring Smoke Off

2025 Annual Spring Smoke Off

Join us Saturday, May 3rd, for the ultimate Pitmaster showdown at the Dark Horse Brewing Co. Annual Rib and Brisket Smoke Off competition! We’ll be open bright and early with Breakfast in the Commons at 7:00 A.M., followed by the opening of our Taproom and Beer Garten at 11:00 A.M.

This year, competitors are firing up the grills and smokers to support our Marshall Area Community Services (MACS), a vital local charity dedicated to helping those in need. A portion of every Smoke Off entry ticket will go directly to MACS, aiding their efforts in providing food, clothing, utility assistance, and more to our community. We will be adding more to the mix this year with 4 new categories!

This year we are excited to be partnering with the Steak Cookoff Association (SCA) who will be overseeing our judging. Our side categories include a steak category, brunch category, sides category, and dessert category! To be a part of Smoke Off you must enter as either the amateur division or pro division. The winner of each category will qualify then for the World Food Championships.

Admission for guests is just $25 per person at the door, with $5 of each ticket benefiting MACS. Your ticket grants you access to the event all day long, where you’ll enjoy tantalizing flavors from the Dark Horse team, amateurs, and pro smokers. Nine  hours of live music! Kids under 10 enter free (food tickets available separately).

Feast on mouth-watering ribs and brisket, each available for just $1 per ticket. With five food tickets included in your entry, you’re in for a flavorful journey. And while you savor the smoky goodness, groove to the tunes of Shane Bond, Chris Canas Band, and Jake Kershaw, ensuring a day filled with delicious food, craft beers, cocktails, music, and community spirit.

Mark your calendars and come hungry – it’s a celebration of flavor and giving back at the Dark Horse Brewing Co. Annual Smoke Off!

 

Admission – $25 entry charge per person  ($5.00 goes to MACS)

INCLUDES: 5 FOOD TICKETS 

ACCESS TO THE EVENT ALL DAY, AND 9 HOURS OF LIVE MUSIC!

Kids under 10 free entry (food tickets available separately)

Food is ready To Eat at 5:30pm ($1/Ticket – 1 Ticket = 1 Rib or 1 Piece of Brisket)

9 Hours Live Music

Gavin Flynn 11:00 – 1:00PM

Noah Martis 1:30 – 3:30PM

Opener 4:00 – 6:00 PM

Myron Elkins  6:00 – 8:00 PM

 

 

The competition will be in two divisions:

Pro contestants and Amateur contestants 

The rundown for each contestant: 

2025 Smoke Off is a one-day event. Smoke off is all about the charity event, to party with lifetime friends and work together for a great cause. Friday night will kickstart our event with the Pros pouring in to start their Brisket. Saturday morning, they will be joined by the Amateur division to start their rib competition. 

Each division will be judged this year by our selected judges along with the SCA. 

 

1. Ribs and Brisket: All Ribs and Brisket entered in the contest must be purchased from us in advance (part of your entry fee). If you want to eat ribs and brisket you will have to buy tickets like the public. (buying tickets and trying other competitor’s entries is encouraged). Ribs and Briskets will be available to pick up for Pros – Friday May 2nd at 6pm. Amateur’s – pick up will be Saturday, May 3rd, at 7am 

For anyone interested, we will sell you extra ribs @ $15/slab and brisket @ $75/packer, but we must know in advance so we can order enough- Add to your registration form and make your payment accordingly. 

2.. You may use any type of heat source. Be sure to record this in your registration. 

3. Deadline: All Pro-division and Amateur entries must be turned in online or the event contact (Emily) with entry fees by Thursday, April 24th, 2025· Weather: This is a rain or shine event. Please plan accordingly. 

• Teams: Teams are limited to two people per entry (a third person will either need to start another team or pay the entry fee). All contestants must agree to have fun. This is a charity event so please come to socialize, cook some meat, and make a difference for our local families in need. We want everyone to have a good time and enjoy being a huge part of our madness! 

What we will provide: Each team will receive a wristband to get into the event, these will also give you a “smokers discount” on Beer. We will also have water, meat, your judging containers, serving boats, 2 pairs of gloves, wet naps, and electricity (If electricity is needed you may use it for your electric smoker. You must have this part marked on your registration form so we can set you up in the correct spot. These spots are limited so it will go to first come first serve) 

• What you will need to bring: Your fuel source, smoker, all utensils, any tools you may need, pop up tent (optional and something to hold it down if it is windy), folding table/prep area, chairs, and anything else you may want or need. Please note, you will not be able to park your vehicle at your designated smoking area- You must unload as necessary and park behind our ridiculous department.. 

If you have a covered trailer, you cook out of, I need your dimensions filled out on your registration form (Most smoker spots are about the size of a parking space). 

 

  

Pro-Division:

Each entry in the pro division is $315 and includes: Six racks of ribs, one full packer beef brisket- USDA Choice Certified Angus Beef or better, $150 of the entry fee goes to a cash pool: Prize payout example; IF 40 entries are taken, the prize pool will be $6,000.00 with cash payouts as follows:

(percentage payout 15/10/5, 15/10/5, 25/15)

First Place Ribs-$900.00 

Second Place Ribs-$600.00 

Third Place Ribs-$300.00. 

First Place Brisket-$900.00 

Second Place Brisket-$600.00 

Third Place Brisket-$300.00. 

Grand Champion-$1500.00 

Reserve Grand Champion-$900.00. 

This same percentage payout (15/10/5, 15/10/5, 25/15) will be applied no matter the number of entrants in this division-get the word out to your smoking friends and fill this sucker up, that’s really good money!

First Place in each division, along with Grand & Reserve Champion also receives trophies. 

Judges: You will pick up 6 racks of ribs and 1 brisket from the pickup station. 

Ribs and Briskets will be handed out on a first come first served basis-you pick out your own meat. Gates to your Pro smoking stations will be open at 6pm on Friday, May 2nd.. 

 

Amateur Division: 

Each entry in the amateur division is $90.00 and includes: Six racks of ribs. Ribs will be handed out the morning of May 6th (first come first serve) with all prep and cooking to be done on site. Gates to your smoking stations will be open at 7am and ribs will be available to pick up at 7am. 

Amateur prizes:  

1st Place Trophy!

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Brisket: (Pros)

Everyone turns in at the same time.

Turn in 5 slices of brisket for judging – the rest of the briskets get handed out to the public.

Ribs: (Pro & Amateur)

Everyone turns in their ribs at the same time.

Turn in 5 ribs per team for judging – the rest of the ribs get handed out to the public. 

Side Categories:

Any team can enter a side competition!

The fee to enter each category is $50.00 (steak will be $100.00) The entry fee is the pool for the 1st place winner of each category. The team brings what is needed to make their side.

You must turn in 5 individual portions in a 9×9 inch Styrofoam box, provided.

Each side category will also give you points towards grand and reserve. (11 points for 1st place, down to 10th place and under getting 1 point) 

Steak Competition: 

Each competitor will receive 2 Choice Ribeye Steaks that are 1 1/8 to 1 1/4 inches thick.

For judging turn in 1 whole steak cooked to medium, (warm pink center) for judging. Steaks are judged on Appearance, Doneness (Medium), Texture, Taste, and Overall Impression.

The second Steak is a practice steak. 

Category Judging: Each Category has a score of 10 points, plus taste has a bonus score of .1 to .9 to avoid ties. The steaks will be judged by a panel of 5 judges.