Back in 2015 at the Memphis in May contest, I saw a guy spritz his brisket with apple cider vinegar and coffee.

I was set up next to him and his bark looked way better than mine by hour eight. I started mixing a little cold brew into my spritz bottle the next cook, and it made a huge difference in the color and flavor. Anyone else pick up a weird trick from watching another team at a big event?

3 comments

3 Comments

elliotadams8d ago

Man, that's just competitive research with extra steps. I mean, if you're not stealing a few tricks at a cook-off, you're not trying hard enough. The real crime would be letting a perfect bark go to waste.

caleb_stone14d ago

So you just straight up copied that guy's whole move right in front of him? That's some bold barbecue espionage. I guess all's fair in love and smoked meat, but did you at least nod to him when you pulled out your own spritz bottle? I'd be low key stressed he'd see me and call me out. Bet it was worth it though if the bark turned out that much better.

bennett.james14d ago

My buddy did something like that once, @caleb_stone. He saw a guy at a cook-off use apple juice and bourbon for his spritz, so he quietly mixed his own batch. He was so nervous his hands were shaking when he sprayed it, but the guy just gave him a thumbs up. The ribs came out with this perfect sticky bark, totally worth the stress.