First Competition

[SlanginDueces]

I recently entered my first competition after brewing for a little over a year. I have been doing all grain on my electric system for about 8 months. I entered a Russian imperial stout, a helles and a pumpkin ale. Unfortunately the competition was in another state and I couldn't attended. The score sheets never made it back to me which defeated the whole purpose of entering, honest feedback of my beer (friends and wife seem to be overly polite with opinions). I talked to the organizer who apologized and said the records show all three received a score of 36. Is this good?

 

[ArkotRamathorn]

For a first time entering? Yes, I would be friggin ecstatic if anything I enter this year gets a 36 (ramping up to enter comps this year).

I think if memory serves, 36 usually means there were fairly minor flaws, like maybe 2 or 3 very minor flaws. Mid 20s to 30 you had one major flaw. Under 25 the beer is almost undrinkable.

Russian Imperial Stouts I think if memory serves is a pretty competitive category, so lots of entries, so getting a 36 on that you should be proud of. Helles being a lager is going to be tough as well so they may have detected some flaws but they weren't major, not a lot to hide behind on a lager so another you should be proud of. And pumpkin beers have such a wide representation of interpretation that it could be a 36 just because you didn't hit certain expectations (a different judge could give you a high score).

 

[AnOldUR]

More than good, very good. You've nearly broken into excellent. Congrats!

From BJCP:

Outstanding (45 - 50): World-class example of style.
Excellent (38 - 44): Exemplifies style well, requires minor fine-tuning.
Very Good (30 - 37): Generally within style parameters, some minor flaws.
Good (21 - 29): Misses the mark on style and/or minor flaws.
Fair (14 - 20): Off flavors/aromas or major style deficiencies. Unpleasant.
Problematic (00 - 13): Major off flavors and aromas dominate. Hard to drink.