Introduction to the BJCP and Judging Andy Hejl
What is the BJCP? BJCP = Beer Judge Certification Program Roles Certifies beer judges (Exam) Tracks judge development and experience Sanctions competitions Develops style guidelines
Purposes of the BJCP Three purposes of the BJCP 1. Encourage knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the world s diverse beer mead and cider styles 2. Promote, recognize, and advance beer, mead and cider tasting, evaluation and communication skills 3. Develop standardized tools, methods and processes for the structured evaluation, ranking and feedback of beer, mead and cider
BJCP Exam Structure 3 separate BJCP Beer exams Beer Judge Entrance Examination (Online) Beer Judging Examination (Tasting) Beer Judge Written Proficiency Examination (Written) Designed with several goals in mind Focus exam on practical judging skills Reduce grader workload Separate exams for Mead, Cider (in development)
Beer Judge Entrance Examination Online exam $10 exam fee, carried out on your own time/computer 200 questions in 60 minutes T/F, multiple choice, Check all that apply Scoring is Pass/Fail Must be passed before eligible for Tasting exam Can take up to one time per day until passed Passing score makes one a Provisional judge Provisional status is good for 1 year
Beer Judge Entrance Examination Exam questions cover several different types of areas Single style questions Comparing style questions (usually 2 styles) Program information (T/F in Study guide) Technical information (process, ingredients) Flavor characteristics Exam knowledge should be okay on a few sources BJCP Style guidelines General brewing book i.e. How to Brew
Online Exam Sample Questions T/F Questions: Düsseldorf Altbier typically has a light body and a medium carbonation level. It is a good idea to take a decongestant prior to a judging event to increase your sensitivity to the aromas of beer.
Online Exam Sample Questions The non wheat grains used in Witbier usually are: A) Pilsner and/or Vienna B) Pilsner only C) Maris Otter D) Vienna and Munich E) Pilsner and light crystal A Doppelbock typically has: A) More caramel character than Dunkles Bock B) More hop aroma than Dunkles Bock C) More melanoidin character than Dunkles Bock D) More astringency than Dunkles Bock E) More diacetyl than Dunkles Bock
Online Exam Sample Questions Check all that apply. Acetic acid is perceived as having which of the following characteristics: Paper Sherry Vinegar Sour Vinous
Online Exam - Tips Read and understand the question asked Choose the Best answer on multiple choice Time management is crucial Don t get hung up on questions that are complex or that you don t know Can mark questions to come back to afterwards Do this in advance of the Tasting exam, must be passed Can have review materials with you, on computer Do not have time to look up all answers Study your styles!
BJCP Beer Judging Examination $40 exam fee for new test takers 6 exam beers will be judged as in a competition Scores on the tasting broken down into 5 areas Scoring Accuracy Perception Descriptive Ability Feedback Completeness
Beer Scoresheet
Beer Scoresheet Aroma What do you smell? Aroma (as appropriate for style) Comment on malt, hops, esters, and other aromatics
Beer Scoresheet Appearance How does it look? Appearance (as appropriate for style) Comment on color, clarity, and head (retention, color, and texture)
Beer Scoresheet Flavor What do you taste? Flavor (as appropriate for style) Comment on malt, hops, fermentation characteristics, balance, finish/aftertaste, and other flavor characteristics
Beer Scoresheet Mouthfeel Physical sensations of drinking Mouthfeel (as appropriate for style) Comment on body, carbonation, warmth, creaminess, astringency, and other palate sensations
Beer Scoresheet Overall Impression What did you think? How to improve? Overall Impression Comment on overall drinking pleasure associated with entry, give suggestions for improvement
Beer Scoresheet Style Grid Stylistic Accuracy Classic Example Not to Style Technical Merit Flawless Significant Flaws Intangibles Wonderful Lifeless
Format of the BJCP Exam - Tasting Scoring Accuracy (20 pt.) How far your scores are from the proctors consensus scores Lowest score for this is 9 pts. Grid is in Exam Scoring Guide One bad beer will not torpedo your score Average score for all 6 beers is your Scoring Accuracy Variance Points / Beer 0 20 1.5 19 2.5 18 3.5 17 4.5 16 5.5 15 6 14 6.5 13 7 12 8 11 9 10 10 9
Format of the BJCP Exam - Tasting Perception (20 pts.) How well do you sense the characteristics in the beer Use the cues to remind you what to comment on Note characteristics that are absent e.g. No diacetyl, no DMS Descriptive Ability (20 pts.) Describe each element of the beer Should include level/intensity, and quality medium-low hop aroma with minty, pine notes Use colorful, evocative language word picture Do not use vague words Nice, good, solid, decent
Format of the BJCP Exam - Tasting Feedback (20 pts.) How can the brewer improve this beer? Stylistic improvements Technical improvements Should focus on the major flaws detected Be specific Be positive and encouraging Completeness (20 pts.) Fill up all the space on the score sheet Hit all of the cues that are mentioned on the sheet Add your score correctly Use the style grid checkboxes
BJCP Tasting Exam - Tips Top 4 sections factual, a record of what you perceive Use descriptive language! Assign each element a level and characteristic Use the keywords for each section as cues Provide specific feedback to address problems 2-3 suggestions is good, more for lower scores If you identify a fault, you should offer a correction Fill up the sheet; white space is bad Make sure scores are aligned with your comments Know the styles Practice so that you can judge a beer quickly
BJCP Written Proficiency Examination $15 one time fee Required to advance to National rank or higher 90 minute exam 5 essay questions each is 20% of score 20 T/F Program questions can only hurt your score Prerequisites for exam BJCP Tasting Exam score of 80 OR Existing National level judge Minimum 10 Judging points Used to generate a composite exam score 50% tasting score / 50% written score
BJCP Ranks and Requirements Rank Tasting Score Composite Score Total Experience Minimum Judging Pts GM Service? Recognized 60 0 0 N Certified 70 5 2.5 N National 80 80 20 10 N Master 80 90 40 20 N Grand Master 80 90 100 50 Y Addl GM Levels 80 90 100 ea 50 ea Y This information will be tested in Online Exam Composite score is 50/50 avg of Tasting and Written exams Additional levels are temporary and not true ranks Provisional passed Online examination (not yet BJCP member) Apprentice Did not score 60 on Tasting exam (2 yr expiration) Scoresheet has other designations Pro, Honorary, non-bjcp
What Happens at a Homebrew Comp? How to find upcoming competitions? BJCP competition calendar on website Will often receive emails from judge coordinators What to expect before competition Sign up 2-8 weeks before the competition ~1 week before competition get a reminder email Often get judge assignments 1-2 days before
What Happens at a Homebrew Comp? Morning of competition pre-judging Arrive at designated arrival time, ~30 min before judging Help yourself to some breakfast, coffee Look for a sign-in sheet, judge assignments Find your judging table and introduce yourself to the other judges Tables will have pull sheets, scoresheets Listen for special announcements from coordinators
What Happens at a Homebrew Comp? How are judges assigned? Typically 2 people (or 3) make a judging group Inexperienced people often placed with veterans New people frequently on common categories Getting the beers Beers are stored cold apart from the judges Judges will request that the stewards bring out beers Can judge in order different than pull sheet Judges will open and pour the beers themselves
What Happens at a Homebrew Comp? How are beers sorted? Beers are split into categories May not line up perfectly with BJCP categories Queued judging common for large flights Judging process Each group of judges work through scoresheets After completion, consensus score determined Most judges will not discuss until both are complete Can ask questions if you are really not sure Mini-BOS when more than one group of judges Top 2-3 from each group tasted and places given Scores are not consulted during mini-bos
What Happens at a Homebrew Comp? Lunchtime Repeat judging for Afternoon Some competitions may judge night before or day after Best of Show judging Several higher-ranked judges (3 to 5) taste all the first place beers (meads, ciders) Entries narrowed down and then Top 3 determined Announcement of Prizes Organizer submits points earned May see an email, will be in Online Judging record
Additional Resources BJCP Study Guide http://www.bjcp.org/docs/bjcp_study_guide.pdf Mastering the BJCP Exam, G. Strong, S. Bickham http://www.bjcp.org/docs/mastering.pdf How to Judge a Beer, P. Garofalo http://www.bjcp.org/docs/how_to_judge_beer.pdf Zymurgy Commercial Calibration Beer Checklist Score Sheet ttp://www.bjcp.org/docs/beer_checklist.pdf