1. Pour
2. Aroma
3. Flavor
4. Appearance
5. Aroma
6. Flavor
7. Mouthfeel
8. Aroma and flavor again.
9. Overall impression.
Really it all gets done simultaneously, but the important part is to immediately after pouring to capture flavor and aroma volatiles first before they dissipate, and then continue evaluating as the sample sits out.
Within that, there's a lot of techniques to pick up everything. Short sniffs. Long sniffs. Tilt the cup and sniff near the surface. Then at the top further away. Cover the cup and swirl, uncover, smell again.
Look with a flashlight in dark beers.
Little sips. Aerate it in your mouth (slurp it basically). Swirl it around coating everything. A big one is exhaling through your nose during and immediately after swallowing. Letting it sit on the palate varying amounts of time.
And so on and so forth.
So head retention and glass "lacing" play no part of judging the beer?
Do judges typically take any action to cleanse their palate between beers? Is there some standard operating procedure for this that judges are expected to follow?
So head retention and glass "lacing" play no part of judging the beer?
List was (hopefully obviously) not all inclusive. Yes head retention and lacing are a part. As are legs when applicable.
Amd calibration beers are unusual around here. One group does them in the comps they organize, but most don't. I don't find them particularly useful.
And yes, water and crackers to keep the palate fresh. And proper ordering of the flight.
Lastly and most importantly......who drives you home after judging a comp?
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