London and South East Competition

Meetings, Beer Festivals, etc.
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alikocho
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Re: London and South East Competition

Post by alikocho »

I'm pleased, although sad to have missed the day.

And yeah, the LAB guys know what they're doing. Which explains why they took club of the year this year at the National.
Ali

BJCP National Judge
BJCP Assistant Regional Director (North-East/Europe)
American Homebrewers' Association International Subcommittee
Organizer, National Homebrew Competition
CBA UK Competition and Training Coordinator

http://serenbrewing.com
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periolus
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London and South East Competition

Post by periolus »

I judged the IPAs and Strongs this morning (21 beers). The three that placed all scored 50/60 and required a mini BoS. Over half of the others scored in the 40s.

A cracking flight of beers!
FV1: EMPTY
FV2: EMPTY
Conditioning: NOWT
Drinking:Countdown Conundrum - Best Bitter; Haka! The Herald - Pacific IPA
Planning: San Francisco 4.9er - California Common; Event Horizon - Robust Porter; Cold Dead Hand - American IPA
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alikocho
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Re: London and South East Competition

Post by alikocho »

Fittingly, my friend Brian Cooper is talking about judging and competitions tonight on the Brewing Network

http://thebrewingnetwork.com/shows/920
Ali

BJCP National Judge
BJCP Assistant Regional Director (North-East/Europe)
American Homebrewers' Association International Subcommittee
Organizer, National Homebrew Competition
CBA UK Competition and Training Coordinator

http://serenbrewing.com
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alikocho
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Re: London and South East Competition

Post by alikocho »

Capn Ahab wrote:LAB know their shit...
This may have something to do with LAB's beers being quite good - they use this tasting sheet at meetings....

http://londonamateurbrewers.files.wordp ... t_bjcp.pdf
Ali

BJCP National Judge
BJCP Assistant Regional Director (North-East/Europe)
American Homebrewers' Association International Subcommittee
Organizer, National Homebrew Competition
CBA UK Competition and Training Coordinator

http://serenbrewing.com
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periolus
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Re: London and South East Competition

Post by periolus »

I quite like that, although it must be fairly time-consuming. I guess sheets could be filled in quickly whilst the next beer is being opened, poured and passed round. Would that be something that could work with BCB? Or that people would want to try?

Certainly helpful for mini-comps.
FV1: EMPTY
FV2: EMPTY
Conditioning: NOWT
Drinking:Countdown Conundrum - Best Bitter; Haka! The Herald - Pacific IPA
Planning: San Francisco 4.9er - California Common; Event Horizon - Robust Porter; Cold Dead Hand - American IPA
Capn Ahab
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Joined: Sat Feb 05, 2011 7:32 pm

Re: London and South East Competition

Post by Capn Ahab »

alikocho wrote:
Capn Ahab wrote:LAB know their shit...
This may have something to do with LAB's beers being quite good - they use this tasting sheet at meetings....

http://londonamateurbrewers.files.wordp ... t_bjcp.pdf
I can see how that would be of value at meetings, as it gives a fairly in depth analysis of the beer and is a useful evaluative framework around which you can identify issues and come up with solutions. I might nick this idea and see how it floats at BBC.

What struck me about the LAB guys at the competition was that they were all knowledgeable and had a thirst for improvement and/or pushing the envelope, and as I said previously, of the 30 odd beers I tried, not a single one was flawed so as to be undrinkable or even for that matter unpleasant; so technically they have collectively reached a high level of proficiency. A different homebrew culture altogether....
Eat sh*t or die trying
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alikocho
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Re: London and South East Competition

Post by alikocho »

Capn Ahab wrote:
alikocho wrote:
Capn Ahab wrote:LAB know their shit...
This may have something to do with LAB's beers being quite good - they use this tasting sheet at meetings....

http://londonamateurbrewers.files.wordp ... t_bjcp.pdf
I can see how that would be of value at meetings, as it gives a fairly in depth analysis of the beer and is a useful evaluative framework around which you can identify issues and come up with solutions. I might nick this idea and see how it floats at BBC.

What struck me about the LAB guys at the competition was that they were all knowledgeable and had a thirst for improvement and/or pushing the envelope, and as I said previously, of the 30 odd beers I tried, not a single one was flawed so as to be undrinkable or even for that matter unpleasant; so technically they have collectively reached a high level of proficiency. A different homebrew culture altogether....
They also have the beer for sharing/beer for detailed analysis breakdown worked out (which means you can do in depth feedback on a few). That they have a bunch of BJCP judges, and at least three of their members are turning pro probably also helps...

Now, where else in the country is there going to be a concentration of BJCP judges soon...
Ali

BJCP National Judge
BJCP Assistant Regional Director (North-East/Europe)
American Homebrewers' Association International Subcommittee
Organizer, National Homebrew Competition
CBA UK Competition and Training Coordinator

http://serenbrewing.com
Capn Ahab
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Re: London and South East Competition

Post by Capn Ahab »

alikocho wrote:Now, where else in the country is there going to be a concentration of BJCP judges soon...
Ha! Good point! Taz, Bim (and any other erstwhile BBC member judges) your services are needed to help us make better beer. Up for it?
Eat sh*t or die trying
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I_used_to_brew
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Re: London and South East Competition

Post by I_used_to_brew »

An interesting form, but unless the person completing it has the knowledge to back up their opinions it doesn't have any value.

A typical club meeting would then have some beer being passed around for slurping, a fairly secret cabal of 'judge types' in a corner reviewing a select few beers and the club business and talk going on largely ignored.

Which would give us a club unlike BCB and one which I didn't join and probably wouldn't remain a member of.
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Bimster
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Location: Generally Bristol

Re: London and South East Competition

Post by Bimster »

Capn Ahab wrote:
alikocho wrote:Now, where else in the country is there going to be a concentration of BJCP judges soon...
Ha! Good point! Taz, Bim (and any other erstwhile BBC member judges) your services are needed to help us make better beer. Up for it?
I've got to admit that I quite like the current format of BBC (Bristol Brewing Circle, not the BBC in the news at the mo!) in that it is relaxed, beer is consumed and yet good feedback is passed on beers.

I know from experience that listening to the feedback from certain people at the meeting (i.e. those in the know) has helped me.

My initial feeling is that having a prescribed form and judging would be a bit too serious and detract from the relaxed nature of the meeting.

That said, maybe we should review the guidelines for each style, for familiarity before passing comment to aid with the quality of the feedback. Additionally we could each pass comment in turn, rather than several discussions occurring at once - difficult I know when a few beers are on board and Bruce pops in! That way all the feedback maybe heard and taken in.

As always, these are just my initial thoughts and your opinion may differ!
James

BJCP Certified Judge
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