What does it take to win a homebrew competition?

[Brewbuzzard]

I am planning to enter my first competition in the middle of august that only allows Belgian style entries and I really want to get feedback on this new saison recipe I have created. I basically want to throw a little bit of strawberry & lemon peel in the boil and then add some hibiscus petal to turn the wort red. For the style, I have to indicate whether it will be a pale colored saison or a darker color saison, but I was wondering if they would disqualify me or just take a lot of points off for breaking the style guidelines? I’m sure it varies greatly between judges and competitions but I’m not sure how important color is from a judges perspective.

They will take a point off for the color if it's very red. You could also enter it in the fruit beer category.

 

[Brewbuzzard]

I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that, to win, one must enter a beer which scores more points than any other entry in that category.

You have hit the nail on the head Sir.

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that, to win, one must enter a beer which scores more points than any other entry in that category.

This assertion is objectively true. However, in my experience, judging is subjective, way, way subjective, and therefore the statement is not true/relevant to the OP's query.

 

[Brewbuzzard]

This assertion is objectively true. However, in my experience, judging is subjective, way, way subjective, and therefore the statement is not true/relevant to the OP's query.

So you've received some bad score sheets.

 

[Dgallo]

Brew a solid to great beer to the style guidelines. That’s how you’ll be judged in any certified competition. Also make sure you enter your beer in the correct category especially in a style with subcategories (made this mistake in my first competition, entered a beer with the wrong sub category and scored 23 but all the comments said “great for ______ style”

 

[easttex]

The New Jersey State Fair Homebrew Competition is open, and while I'm not going to enter a beer, it got me wondering.

What exactly does it take to win in a competition? Can anyone who has entered and won - or the some of the judges for that matter - weigh in on what exactly the beer is being judged on?

If brewing a Weiss beer, for example, is it being judged against the judges' perception of the style? Like, how good of an example of a Weiss it is? Or are competitors expected to put a new twist on a Weiss - like an interesting choice of hops, or fruit, etc.

Or does it simply come down to taste in a given category? "This is the best-tasting APA in the category, so it wins"

I've never even considered entering a competition, and probably won't unless it's on a whim, but I am curious.

Thanks!

Sometimes it just takes the intestinal fortitude to put a beer in the competition. My advice if you're curious and you think you've got a decent beer, enter it and see what happens.

Otherwise:

• Understanding the guidelines you'll be judged against
• Process control
• Temperature control
• Pitch plenty of healthy yeast
• Good Sanitation practices
• Correct carbonation

In other words, much the same as brewing a good beer. Sure, there's some game-play involved - I would only enter a fresh IPA, Weiss, or Kellerbier - but otherwise, if you have a beer you think is pretty good, go for it.

 

[bwible]

They haven't. It's really no different than it's always been -- judges have varying degrees of experience, some have drank/brewed/judged most or all of the styles, and some aren't even close. Most judges strive to do well at any category they are assigned to, barring physical or sensory issues.

(For example, I cannot judge smoked beers, my palate is absolutely shot two beers in, so I always ask not to judge them. I won't do a good job, certainly not up to the high standards I place upon myself, so why bother?)

And I've long held that any moderately experienced judge should be able to judge a style they've never had in their life, simply by using the guidelines. Part of being a good judge is being able to interpret the guidelines and "connect" them to what you are perceiving in the beer in front of you. It's not ideal, we should all strive to gain experience with the full range of beer styles, but it's not always possible.

In regards to mead and cider, the BJCP have separate certifications/endorsements for those now, and one can become a mead-only or cider-only judge without ever taking the beer exam (although most judges added those certs to their existing BJCP rank -- for example, I am National + Mead).

And to add to the confusion, you do not have to have either the mead or cider certification to judge meads or ciders, taking those exams is entirely optional. (Most, but certainly not all, organizers will try to fill the mead and cider flights with certified mead and cider judges, but it's not always possible.)

Just for example, here are the appearance sections from an ordinary bitter I entered a few years ago. These are 2 judges judging the same beer. Under that, look at what they both wrote for “overall impression”. This was before covid - 2 guys sitting at the same table judging the same beer.

 

[Dgallo]

Just for example, here are the appearance sections from an ordinary bitter I entered a few years ago. These are 2 judges judging the same beer. Under that, look at what they both wrote for “overall impression”. This was before covid - 2 guys sitting at the same table judging the same beer.

“Ugly drinking” ... what a ****** comment. How hard is it to say it’s “out of balance”?... I can’t believe anyone certified would word it in such a way

 

[bwible]

Its bad handwriting but I think it says very drinkable. My printing/writing wouldn’t be a whole lot better.

The point I was making is one guy says brilliant clear for appearance and the other guy says hazy but acceptable. One guy says cut back hops and the other guy says hops are great for style. One guy says medicinal flavor detracted, the other guy doesn’t mention that.

 

[Dgallo]

Its bad handwriting but I think it says very drinkable. My printing/writing wouldn’t be a whole lot better.

The point I was making is one guy says brilliant clear for appearance and the other guy says hazy but acceptable. One guy says cut back hops and the other guy says hops are great for style. One guy says medicinal flavor detracted, the other guy doesn’t mention that.

Now with my beer googles toning down I can clearly see it’s say very lol disregard my recent post hahah

 

[seatazzz]

In 5 years of homebrewing I've entered four comps; for the first one it was a Pliny clone that I knew was horrible, but I'd already paid the entry and said the heck with it. Got horrible scores, as expected. The last three (one state fair, and two locals) I ribboned (2nd) & medalled (two silvers and one gold). The best comment I ever got was from one of the IPA's I entered, telling me that it was a technically good beer but slightly tannic in flavor; that judge even offered some pointers on how to combat it (lower sparge temperature, avoid oversparging). I enter comps for the feedback, and maybe just a *leetle* bit for the kudos and swag. My HLT has a brewvision thermometer that I won in the last competition I entered last year before everything went to hell, and my favorite shirt is from Blichmann with BEER GEEK in huge letters on the back, from the same competition.

I would say, resoundingly, YES enter as many competitions as you can; the feedback, as mentioned many times above, comes from someone who more than likely doesn't know you from Adam and only judges your beer, not your process, brewery, bank account, etc. More competitions entered=more diverse feedback=possible pointers to improve.

 

[Brewbuzzard]

Just for example, here are the appearance sections from an ordinary bitter I entered a few years ago. These are 2 judges judging the same beer. Under that, look at what they both wrote for “overall impression”. This was before covid - 2 guys sitting at the same table judging the same beer.

I've had my complaints with judging but you are reading more in to it than what they are actually saying. First the judges are only 1 point off on Overall Impression and the judge that had an issue with the bitterness said it was a bit over not a lot (pallet). On appearance same on points and the one judge said Slight haze not hazy, big difference. What one person sees as clear might be a slight haze. Was the beer bottle conditioned, did the bottle get rousted at the end? I have judged anywhere from two to four competitions a year for 20 years. I don't let small things bother me as long as I get the points. And I agree that some judges need to print better so we can read the damn things and NO cursive writing.

 

[Mutant]

Just for example, here are the appearance sections from an ordinary bitter I entered a few years ago. These are 2 judges judging the same beer. Under that, look at what they both wrote for “overall impression”. This was before covid - 2 guys sitting at the same table judging the same beer.

If you are drunk, everything is a bit hazy

 

[Brewbuzzard]

If you are drunk, everything is a bit hazy

Absolutely! In a large competition a team of two judges will judge anywhere from two to four flights in a four hour period. A flight can have from 6 to 11 beers. Our club the North Texas Home Brewer's Association offers free Huber and or rides to all judges or you can sit and eat a sandwich and coffee and sober up. As I've said I have had issues but judging is hard work and a lot of fun. I also gain much knowledge from the score sheets. I'm getting beers ready for competition as we speak.

 

[Mutant]

Absolutely! In a large competition a team of two judges will judge anywhere from two to four flights in a four hour period. A flight can have from 6 to 11 beers. Our club the North Texas Home Brewer's Association offers free Huber and or rides to all judges or you can sit and eat a sandwich and coffee and sober up. As I've said I have had issues but judging is hard work and a lot of fun. I also gain much knowledge from the score sheets. I'm getting beers ready for competition as we speak.

I'm waiting for the judge sheets from AHA Nationals. Just heard they will not arrive until end of this week. Submitted a non-standard Eisbock and don't expect more than 38 points, but will use the results to compare to what others have said and my unofficial ability to judge beers. I need to brew something, but it has been too hot. Last Friday it was 116F on the mercury thermometer in the shade. Even using kegerators for fermenting, it is just too hot to boil anything or do much than drink beer.

 

[VikeMan]

Just heard they will not arrive until end of this week. Submitted a non-standard Eisbock and don't expect more than 38 points, but will use the results to compare to what others have said and my unofficial ability to judge beers.

38 points seems oddly specific. Where did that number come from?

Also, when you say non-standard, do you mean "clearly doesn't fit the style guideline?" If so, 38 points may be a wee bit optimistic. Either way, Good Luck!

 

[Mutant]

38 points seems oddly specific. Where did that number come from?

Also, when you say non-standard, do you mean "clearly doesn't fit the style guideline?" If so, 38 points may be a wee bit optimistic. Either way, Good Luck!

Been doing it long enough to have a good understanding of the judging and numbers. The highest I have ever received was a 44. The reason for 'non-standard' is that the grain profile uses some UK malts which I can taste. I had only made a small batch resulting in only 12 bottles being available plus a few before freezing. It is an Eisbock, but I know it isn't my best Eisbock. If I get a better score, I'd be surprised.

I don't really drink much anymore, but enjoy the challenge of brewing, competing and giving away free beer (with the hopes the bottles are returned). My primary drink is homemade carbonated mineral water (I rotate through 4 kegs), where I drink over a gallon a day.

 

[Mutant]

Received judge sheets from AHA Nationals. Very unimpressed that they didn't follow the normal scoring method of assigning a number. At least the "Unofficial" judging at SF last year provided the standard scoring methodology. Even the comments this year were sparse. If I cut corners making my beer as much as they cut corners on judging the beer - I'd just bottle up from a keg of Modelo and send it in.

 

[VikeMan]

Received judge sheets from AHA Nationals. Very unimpressed that they didn't follow the normal scoring method of assigning a number.

They didn't provide a score? That's ridiculous. WTF?

 

[Brewbuzzard]

Received judge sheets from AHA Nationals. Very unimpressed that they didn't follow the normal scoring method of assigning a number. At least the "Unofficial" judging at SF last year provided the standard scoring methodology. Even the comments this year were sparse. If I cut corners making my beer as much as they cut corners on judging the beer - I'd just bottle up from a keg of Modelo and send it in.

That isn't good, cheaping it down

 

[Mutant]

That isn't good, cheaping it down

What's the point of competing if you don't get good feedback? My son and I will not likely renew our AHA next year.

 

[Spartan1979]

What's the point of competing if you don't get good feedback? My son and I will not likely renew our AHA next year.

The NHC hasn't been a source of good feedback for several years. If that's what you are looking for, your money is better spent at some of the larger competitions that normally go on through out the year.

 

[WesBrew]

I got my results a few days ago. one of them won its category. excited about that, i knew it was good.
the other one i didn't have high hopes for because i used some yeast i had on hand that was clearly not to style. It was otherwise well done and scored a 30 &32 and sent to a mini-bos. No surprise that it didn't place but i was surprised to see than no bronze medal was awarded in the category.

 

[VikeMan]

the other one i didn't have high hopes for because i used some yeast i had on hand that was clearly not to style. It was otherwise well done and scored a 30 &32 and sent to a mini-bos. No surprise that it didn't place but i was surprised to see than no bronze medal was awarded in the category.

I don't know what happened in this case, but I think BJCP judges generally have the option to not award medals (even to 1st place) if they don't think the beer(s) that otherwise ranked into that place(s) are medal worthy. I can't say I've seen it happen much though.

 

[Brewbuzzard]

IMO scores of 30 & 32 are good enough to receive a bronze metal. Gold and silver would obviously be higher. Per the BJCP score sheet 30 - 37 = very good. Maybe the rules of that competition has set levels for a given placement.

 

[WesBrew]

IMO scores of 30 & 32 are good enough to receive a bronze metal. Gold and silver would obviously be higher. Per the BJCP score sheet 30 - 37 = very good. Maybe the rules of that competition has set levels for a given placement.

That could be the case but they don’t say that anywhere in the rules. My understanding is 30+ goes to mini-bos , judges pick the best three.

 

[Broothru]

I don't know what happened in this case, but I think BJCP judges generally have the option to not award medals (even to 1st place) if they don't think the beer(s) that otherwise ranked into that place(s) are medal worthy. I can't say I've seen it happen much though.

Apparently there is quite a bit of latitude for the judges. I remember a few years back at a med/large local comp, one category (don't remember which one) awarded a 2nd. Place but no First or Third even though there were several entries for that category. The thinking might have been that the "winner" was not worthy of advancing to the Best of Show round, and none of the other entries was worthy of an award. I'm not a certified judge so I can't say with any certainty. Maybe one of the resident judges can weigh in on the question.

 

[VikeMan]

IMO scores of 30 & 32 are good enough to receive a bronze metal. Gold and silver would obviously be higher. Per the BJCP score sheet 30 - 37 = very good. Maybe the rules of that competition has set levels for a given placement.

A mini-BOS round is like a BOS round, in that the scores from the original flight are irrelevant. IOW, it doesn't matter at all what the original judges thought (unless they also happen to be judging the mini-BOS too).

 

[Bobby_M]

Mini-BOS beers are usually pushed in by their comparative scores with other beers in the flight but there's no hard and fast rule that says all beers over 30 must go into mini BOS. I've had flights where there were four beers in the 40s so there was no reason to bring in any in the low or mid 30s. Even then, someone can petition that they'd like the "38" for example, move forward because some judging teams may be consistently generous or harsh with their part of the flight.

On more than a few occasions I've watched a high 30s entry take gold over a low 40s entry.

 

[WesBrew]

So from the last couple of posts im gathering the following:
-a 30 doesn't necessarily get you into the mini-bos
-mini-bos is judged independently; prior scores are not used.
-Even if you are one of only 3 entries in the mini-bos, you could still get snubbed. Lol