Bjcp

[TheBeerSnob]

Today, afterall it's after midnight, I'll be going to my first BJCP class. I hear the certification test is pretty tough; other than that, I don't have any preconceived notions.

Have any of the faithful taken the Beer Judge Certification Program before?

I've done some judging before but sure don't have the overall knowledge that I'd like to have.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts or comments.


-TBS

[ray m]

I believe that Brewmonkey is an ex-judge; I recall him mentioning that he used to be one some time ago. I'm sure he can give you (and the rest of us) some insight.

[brewmonkey]

I am still a judge and will be judging KCBM's 21st annual competition (www.kcbiermeisters.org) as well as 1st round NHC in the next several months.

However, well I am a judge I have never sat for the exam as I get by with checking the little "Pro Brewer" box on the form.

[steveh]

I've studied for it, signed up to take it, then had that particular test cancelled due to unforseen illness of the administrator. :/

I hadn't thought about trying to take it again...until the advent of this forum! There's a local home-brew club that has a group study for it once a week, I may have to sign up.

I too have done much judging at home-brew competitions and teach my friends how to get the full tasting appreciation from a good beer. Good luck Snob (a name I've been called often!), let us know how you do.

S.

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by ray m
I believe that Brewmonkey is an ex-judge; I recall him mentioning that he used to be one some time ago. I'm sure he can give you (and the rest of us) some insight.

Strange new avitar there Ray.

Good luck on the BJCP Snob. I've often thought of taking it myself.

[brewmonkey]

Originally posted by chazwicke
Strange new avitar there Ray.

Good luck on the BJCP Snob. I've often thought of taking it myself.

That's Pinhead from the Hellraiser series.

[ray m]

Originally posted by chazwicke:
____________________________
Strange new avitar there Ray.
____________________________

I was looking for something different, and for whatever reason I've resurrected my VHS Hellraiser collection and have been watching the first 4 Hellraiser movies again. I think Pinhead is bad-ass!!

[adbachtell]

Pinhead rocks. I love the Cenobites.

[shaken]

Our class started yesterday, as well

This will make the 3rd time I've taken the class, only
to improve my ranking. There are also some "National" ranks
that are taking the class so they can become "Master" judges.

The classes are very educational, and everyone seems to walk
away from them with a little more appreciation of the beers
that they make.
It helps to define the flavors and aromas that you normally wouldn't be able to pick out. Several times during the class you
will say, "Oh, that's what that is.."

The classes normally run 3 hours, 1 day a week for seven weeks,
the 7th week is study (I don't know of anyone who would like
to "study" for a beer exam) and the 8th week is the "EXAM"

The testing is somewhat brutal, but understandingly so.
10 questions to be answered in, at least, 1 page each (BS helps)
You'll be asked to design a beer, which one?, nobody knows
until test day. Legible handwriting is a must. If the scorers can't read it, you won't pass.

Even if you start judging beers now, and haven't taken the test, the points for each event will go towards your ranking, even if you fail the test. (up to two years) just make sure to ask the event supervisor if it is an AHA sanctioned event.
Even if you fail the test, you still get the rank of "Apprentice"

Go to this site, it has pretty much everything you need to know

http://www.mv.com/ipusers/slack/bjcp/

[brewmonkey]

You can also go to www.bjcp.org

No matter what you are looking to do in the craft brewing arena, the classes are a great tool.

[shaken]

BTW Brewmonkey..
We had the Dogfish Head 90 and 120 here at the Barley wine fest. (it looks like we will be getting it delivered here).
I found the 90 very tasty and the 120 put me over the top. I knew the alcohol content, it just crept up and bit me real bad. After judging barley wines, I had to leave the festival early. There were 4 flights to judge. I could only do 1 flight.
I feel in love with one that I tasted, and just couldn't get past it. No, not too much beer, just too much big, huge, ugly, gnarley barley wines. What a way to go.....

[brewmonkey]

Two years ago at NHC first round I had three flights in the same day. I started the day with Barleywines followed by Imperial Stouts followed by Strong Scotch ales. Needless to say I was done for the day after the last flight.

[shaken]

No way in hell I could have kept up with that, must be my age!!

Just think, if it wasn't for great people like the ones on this website, who (1) enjoy designing new styles, (2) not being afraid of pushing the envelope on creativity, and (3) hashing out the differences of opinions on how the beers should be, we wouldn't be doing what we love to do......

[TheBeerSnob]

First class on Sunday was excellent. Good discussion on yeasts with some tastings of some very unique strains--I'll get my notes and get the particulars but one was a Weiss Berliner strain that was quite unique in profile.

We also walked through a sampling that started with:
Rolling Rock >>Classic American Pilsner that worked well with the DMS discussion;
Bass Ale
Schneider Aventinus
Boon Gueze
Lindeman Cassis
Corsendonk Abbey Ale
Chimay Grand Reserve
anddamnIwasdoinggoodbutcan'trememberatleastthreeot hersamplings...

My biggest problem is: how do I read the info and write the notes while I''m drinking the beer? Guess I'll just have to do a better job of multi-tasking.

Good class, though. Knowledgible, well accomplished instructors that are also excellent, award (AHA and GABF) winning brewers.

-TBS

[steveh]

Originally posted by TheBeerSnob
Rolling Rock >>Classic American Pilsner that worked well with the DMS discussion

LOL!! Okay, the understatement of that line cracked me up!

Wow, you guys went through a lot of beer - and some big and diverse ones at that. Was there any comparative talk of the Berliner Weiss and the Gueuze based on the tart/sour flavors? Also, did anyone bring any woodruf or raspberry to add to the BW as is tradition in Berlin? It's very interesting and different.

S.

[chazwicke]

BW with the raspberry syrup poured in the correct glass is a wonderful and refreshing drink. (I like the BW without the syrup as well). I often pour one in the summer as a dessert. My mother in law who is from Berlin also enjoys it.

[chazwicke]

The Schneider Adventus and Frank Boon Gueuze are also both fine brews.

[O2 Mash]

I did a search on "BJCP" to see how many of us are certified beer judges, and this thread came up. Looks like Brewmonkey was the only one certified in January of 2004.

Anyone else become certified or taken classes in the last nine months?

[steveh]

Originally posted by O2 Mash
Anyone else become certified or taken classes in the last nine months?

Nope. Every time a test is set up in the area, I get all set and excited - but then something always comes up - on my end or the testing end. :/

S.