TILLMAN'S BARBECUE: Competition Brew BBQ Sauce – 595g

The sauce that started life as “The Kitchen Sink”

Lee Nelson's first competition sauce, built at home in his own kitchen. He threw so many spices at it that he named it The Kitchen Sink — then fine-tuned it, renamed it Competition Brew, and started handing it to judges. It's thick, it's sweet-savoury, and it's the bottle that turns up on comp circuits across America.

The flavour

Sweet up front — brown sugar, honey and cider vinegar — then it turns savoury and deep, with black pepper and garlic holding the back end together. The thickest sauce in the Tillman's range, and the one that behaves best under heat.

How to use it

• Glaze competition-style burnt ends and let them tack up in the smoker — this is exactly what it was built for.
• Brush over brisket in the last stretch for a glossy, sticky bark.
• Toss through pulled pork for instant sweet-savoury depth.
• Cut it with a splash of apple juice for a mop that layers over a long cook.
• Mix it with Tillman's Chipotle Apple — the brand's own award-winning combination.

In the bottle

Thick, dark and glossy — pours slow, clings hard, sets into a proper competition glaze. Refrigerate after opening.

Ingredients & Dietary

Ingredients: Ketchup (water, tomato paste, corn syrup, vinegar, salt, onion, natural flavourings, garlic), brown sugar, cider vinegar, honey, sugar, salt, Worcestershire (distilled vinegar, water, salt, hydrolysed soy protein, brown sugar, corn syrup, molasses, tamarind, caramel colour, spices, potassium sorbate), black pepper, garlic, phosphoric acid, spices.

Allergens: Contains fish (anchovies) and soy. Contains honey, so it isn't vegan. Dietary: Tillman's label this sauce naturally gluten free and free of high fructose corn syrup — always check the physical label.

The Rub Smuggler's Verdict

This is a brisket sauce first and everything else second, and Darryl won't hear otherwise. Rub a packer down with Butchers Axe Bullseye Beef Rub, smoke it out, cube the point and glaze the burnt ends in Competition Brew. Then put a smear of Tracklements Strong Horseradish Cream on the plate to cut all that sweetness clean in half. Part of the Tillman's Barbecue range.

FAQ

Is Competition Brew hot?
No — there's no chilli in it. It's sweet, savoury and thick, so the whole table can get amongst it.

What makes it different from Grandma's Red?
Competition Brew is thicker and sweeter with a savoury back end. Grandma's Red is thinner and sharper, with a clear vinegar note.

Is it gluten free?
Tillman's label it naturally gluten free, but it does contain fish (anchovies) and soy — always confirm against the physical label if you have an allergy.