Speaking of feedback, for anyone who has entered NHC before, how is the feedback? Any different than a local competition or is it basically the same, region and judge dependent? In other words, do they tend to use more experience judges?
I think it depends greatly on region. Even more specifically, where in that region the judging is being held. Two years ago I entered some beers in the Nationals and thought the feedback was kind of sad. There was 1 BJCP judge and 1 non-BJCP judge. While I would never say that I discount the feedback of a non-BJCP judge, these judges just seemed to be paraphrasing what the BJCP judge said. What is the point of two people judging a beer if they are just going to write the same thing.
I know that South Regional is now held around here, and it has been my experience that the judges (at least most) around here are quite good. We might not have a bunch of Grandmasters and all that, but a lot of very good Certified and Recognized judges that will give a beer a fair shake and thoughtful comments. You can't expect ever judge to taste/smell every possible taste or aroma, but you can expect for them to spend a reasonable amount of time expressing what they can taste.
I think the Regionals can but a strain on some locations. When you have 500+ beers to judge, it can be a logistical nightmare to get them done in 4 or even 5 sessions unless you have a very large pool of judges. To get more judges I think that some competitions will just take anyone and sit them down with a National judge to get 2 judges. Well, if that person has no experience with BJCP styles and scoresheets, they tend to just copy the National judge, again defeating the purpose of 2 judges. But, on the other hand a non-BJCP judge that is familiar with a style and familiar with the scoresheet format, can be a very valuable addition to the judging pair and give good feedback.
I'll be judging in the first round of nationals. I still don't see how a title can make you better than someone with a good palate. I mean I'd take the test if I could, but the scheduled exam here in OCTOBER is already full, so **** it. I'll judge and if it becomes available near me, I'll take the test. In the meantime, I'm pretty confident that I can judge as well as a national judge.
I think this goes with my point a lot. It does not matter that you are not BJCP. You want to judge because you want to give people feedback on their beer. Honestly, the test will not make you a better judge. Only experience can do this. The exam (or preparing you for the exam) will help make you better at filling out the form (maybe) and understanding the styles, but you have the guide in front of you when judging anyway.
The entry window closes today and I forgot to send out my entry. Oh well. At least I can drink the last 4 bottles of my honey-raisin pale myself
I was too busy last weekend and can't go to drop off today, so I am not entering any this year. Why is the window closing on a Thursday? I highly doubt any location is going to be able to get all the beers tagged and chilled to be judged this weekend. Having the drop-off end Saturday would makre more sense IMO.
