How to Become a Homebrew Beer Judge.
Love drinking beer and offering criticism?
Learn to put your talents to work as a homebrew
beer judge.
You will need Beer Glass of plastic cup Pencil
and paper Homebrew competitions Beer Judge
Certification Program exam and beer-judging
classes (optional).
Don't drink unless you're of legal age.
Drink responsibly, and never drink and drive.
Step 1.
Learn about different styles of beer.
Note each style's characteristic aroma, color,
clarity, head character, and flavor, including
chemical byproducts produced during fermentation.
Step 2.
Start enjoying any beer you drink like a judge.
When holding a bottle, examine it for sediment
and any signs of a bacterial ring in the neck.
Then, pour the beer down the center of a clean,
clear glass or plastic cup; adjust the pour's
angle based on the beer's carbonation for
a good presentation.
Step 3.
Sniff the beer to get an initial impression.
Then, judge the brew's color and clarity against
the style's standards before sniffing again,
noting any changes.
Write down your impressions as you go, assessing
them against the beer style's guidelines.
Make your notes detailed to help distinguish
nuances in the beer.
Step 4.
Take a few sips; use one to measure the strongest
flavors, a second for additional impressions,
and a third to judge the beer's body and feel
in your mouth.
Then, take a last sniff before having a final
taste to round out the beer's flavor profile.
Step 5.
Taste homebrews together with other enthusiasts.
Volunteer as a judges' assistant, known as
a steward, at American Homebrewers Association
competitions -- these events use judges sanctioned
by the Beer Judge Certification Program, or
BJCP.
You can also take beer-judging classes to
further develop your beer acumen.
Step 6.
Confident in your palate and beer vocabulary?
Take the BJCP exam, covering brewing techniques,
beer styles, judging procedures, and ethics.
Score 70 percent, and earn judging points
at a few events to become certified.
Then, go on to promote the love of homebrewed
beer.
Did you know In 2010, a Scottish brewing company
sold 12 bottles of beer encased in stuffed
stoats, squirrels, and a hare for $765 a piece.
