sorry to rant here, but just had to get something off my chest...
I entered a smoked porter into a couple of comps and received mediocre scores (mid-high 20s). I'm not complaining about the scores so much as the comments, which I just don't understand. Almost across the board the judges commented on how there was no or little smoke aroma or flavor. I had originally thought there was plenty, but after receiving the scoresheets I figured my perception was flawed (I hadn't opened one in a while). But tonight I decided to give one a try and I have no idea what the judges were talking about - there is a distinct smokey aroma and flavor. It's not overpowering by any means, but this is precisely why I like this beer and thought it would do well in comps.
Clearly though all the judges together seem to agree that there was no smoke. Is my taste that skewed? How could something as distinct as smoke be perceived so differently? It's almost like the judges were tasting a completely different beer!
I entered a smoked porter into a couple of comps and received mediocre scores (mid-high 20s). I'm not complaining about the scores so much as the comments, which I just don't understand. Almost across the board the judges commented on how there was no or little smoke aroma or flavor. I had originally thought there was plenty, but after receiving the scoresheets I figured my perception was flawed (I hadn't opened one in a while). But tonight I decided to give one a try and I have no idea what the judges were talking about - there is a distinct smokey aroma and flavor. It's not overpowering by any means, but this is precisely why I like this beer and thought it would do well in comps.
Clearly though all the judges together seem to agree that there was no smoke. Is my taste that skewed? How could something as distinct as smoke be perceived so differently? It's almost like the judges were tasting a completely different beer!