Over 75 championship barbecue teams from around the United States have to earn their spot to compete. Teams compete in seven categories: Pork Ribs, Pork Shoulder/Butts, Beef Brisket, Chicken, Dessert, Cook’s Choice, and Jack Daniel’s Sauce. To qualify, domestic teams must have won a state championship with a minimum of 25 teams entered, or a competition with more than 50 teams battling in the cate
gories of Pork Ribs, Pork Butts, Chicken and Beef Brisket. The final competitors are then selected during a blind drawing of all eligible teams in August. The 2019 Jack Daniel’s Grand Champion, joins the Clark Crew, current season’s Memphis in May, American Royal Open and Houston World’s Championship Bar-B-Que grand champions receiving automatic invitations. About 20,000 spectators will descend on Lynchburg to watch the spectacle of competitive barbecuing and enjoy additional festivities such as a music stage, corn hole, and the country dog costume contest. In less than 24 hours, competitors will smoke 3,900 pounds of meat – only the best will be dressed up and served to the pavilion of Kansas City Barbeque Society and celebrity judges. Winners will savor their share of more than $50,000 in cash and prizes. Jack Daniel’s is the world’s best selling whiskey and every single drop is made in the small Tennessee town of Lynchburg. Jack Daniel’s is the world’s oldest registered distillery in the United States and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Throughout the Barbecue and every day (excluding major holidays), the distillery offers tours between 9 a.m.
