BJCP hard on overcarbonated beers?

[Piratwolf]

Hi, all!

I'm brewing up some beers for my first BJCP competition. My ESB is maturing nicely, but there's a slight issue. It's a little too carbed. How hard will they hit me for that?

Also, does anyone have any general tips about what matters most?

Thanks for any input!

 

[pyth]

As I understand it, brewing true to style is the main point in BJCP comps. No matter how 'good' a beer might be, they want it to match style criteria.

 

[bigbeergeek]

Vent the caps. Get the carb perfect.

 

[Teromous]

Which competition are you entering?

 

[NordeastBrewer77]

Vent the caps. Get the carb perfect.

^this^. it works great

 

[Piratwolf]

Vent the caps. Get the carb perfect.

Never done this before, or even heard of it. I'll have to search it. Thanks for the tips!

There's a pro-am competition in Hickory, NC, in March. That's the closest I've seen to VA, so that's what I'm going with!

 

[weirdboy]

When you say "a little" how overcarbed is it? Is it something that will settle down to approximately the right level after a couple of minutes of just waiting?

I ask because the typical judging process means they will be swirling the beer a bit to get the aroma, often 2-3 times, and letting it sit there for a while before they taste the beer for flavor & mouthfeel. So if it is just *slightly* overcarbed, it is probably fine. If it is effervescent, then you might look into alternate solutions.

 

[Piratwolf]

When you say "a bit" how overcarbed is it? Is it something that will settle down to approximately the right level after a couple of minutes of just waiting?

I ask because the typical judging process means they will be swirling the beer a bit to get the aroma, often 2-3 times, and letting it sit there for a while before they taste the beer for flavor & mouthfeel. So if it is just *slightly* overcarbed, it is probably fine. If it is effervescent, then you might look into alternate solutions.

Good point. Actually, what I should say is that it has a huge, fluffy white head that falls only very slowly. That's what I'm most concerned with. The carbonation is just a touch high at first, but as you said, it's perfect after some swirling and sitting for a minute or two.

 

[Spartan1979]

When you say "a little" how overcarbed is it? Is it something that will settle down to approximately the right level after a couple of minutes of just waiting?

I ask because the typical judging process means they will be swirling the beer a bit to get the aroma, often 2-3 times, and letting it sit there for a while before they taste the beer for flavor & mouthfeel. So if it is just *slightly* overcarbed, it is probably fine. If it is effervescent, then you might look into alternate solutions.

That's why I take a quick sip before I start my comments.

 

[Mikethepoolguy]

Never done this before, or even heard of it. I'll have to search it. Thanks for the tips!

There's a pro-am competition in Hickory, NC, in March. That's the closest I've seen to VA, so that's what I'm going with!

You better bring your A game. There will be some tough competition!

 

[Piratwolf]

You better bring your A game. There will be some tough competition!

One of the reasons I'm entering the contest is to find out if I even HAVE an A game. Obviously, I think I make good beer, else I wouldn't enter it. But I'm dying to get objective feedback.

Don't get me wrong, though--I'll take Best of Show if they give it to me