Details

Written by sean "brewinferfunantawin" drew

Parent Category: News

Created: 18 February 2013

Why – WIIFY (wutz in it for you)

• Focused feedback on your beer, with suggestions for taking it to the next level

• Gives the club points

• Raises money for organizations that promote homebrewing

• Chances to win and and humbly boast, brew on production systems, have fun

Brewing

• Absolutely need to brew to style

  • Style Resources:

    • Brewing Classic Styles - http://www.amazon.com/Brewing-Classic-Styles-Winning-Recipes/dp/0937381926

    • BYO & Zymurgy have a style section

    • BJCP Guidelines - http://www.bjcp.org/docs/2008_Guidelines.pdf

  • Use those recipes as a springboard, think about where you want to be within that style

  • Try suggested classic examples of style

    • Evaluate examples for color, clarity, aroma, mouth feel, flavor, CO2 levels, hop flavor/bite and so on

    • See which example you like and tweak recipe to match

• Follow good brewing basics: hit your mash temps, use good water, big pitch of health yeast, correct fermentation temperature, cleanliness, relax

• Relax, don't worry, have a homebrew

Packaging

• Make sure you have correct CO2 levels, might want to slightly over carbonate to allow for loss during packaging. See http://www.kegerators.com/carbonation-table.php for a good chart if you keg.

• Use clean bottles. No really, make sure they are clean, inside and out.

• Give it a good fill, about an inch from the top

• Purge bottles with CO2 beforehand if you can

• No personal labels or marking

Entering

• Fill out style correctly (read about styles if not familiar)

• Fill out specialty info, especially if :

  • 16E. Belgian Specialty Ale

  • 20. FRUIT BEER

  • 21. SPICE/HERB/VEGETABLE BEER

  • 22. SMOKE-FLAVORED AND WOOD-AGED BEER

  • 23. SPECIALTY BEER

  • Be clear about why/what is special, what is the base style, what to look for in aroma/taste

• Use normal size brown bottles (12oz or 11oz)

• Do not effen tape the labels to bottle. Remember the volunteers are doing this after work and have been drinking. Rubberbands are good enough to fasten labels.

• The number of bottles required is typically only 3 bottles, but can be less. Note that the label sheets print 4, the extra label are for just in case, don't send in more bottles than you need to

• Use envelopes or staples to attach multiple sheets for multiple entries

• Use different color caps for different beers, if you can

• Arrange the bottles nicely and in order if you enter multiple

• If you have to ship:

  • No effen peanuts. They go everywhere and drive people mad.

  • If it is hard to wrap, it is hard to unwrap. Remember, we have been drinking when we process the entries

  • No effen peanuts

  • Did I mention, no effen peanuts.

Post Entry

• Be patient, the results will be out quickly

• Remember that no one brews a 50 point beer:

  • 40+ is amazing, be proud

  • 30+ is pretty darn good, be proud

  • 20+ is decent, be happy but sharpen your skills

  • below 20 needs some work, but doesn't mean awful. Could be out of style or got infected.

• Give much free beer, props and cash to competition organizers and volunteers.

Details

Written by Webczar

Parent Category: News

Created: 26 July 2009

The Impaling Alers will host at least one BJCP Exam Cram session which will focus on time management, test taking theory, and an actual full-on 3 hour exam complete with essay questions and beers to taste & evaluate. We found this to be a very helpful tool in taking the exam last year. There will be a nominal fee, similar to the other club-hosted study group sessions to help cover the cost of beers and materials. The practice test questions will be made available on the WAHA site right after the practice test for those who cannot attend. Take the practice exam on your own if you need to, but the pressure of being under the gun with a group is reflective of the real deal and will help you be better prepared to manage the limited time for taking the exam.

The practice exam will be held 1-2 weeks prior to the formal exam. The exam will likely be held in late February 2009. The date will be posted as soon as it is decided. Email me with any questions and to get your name on the list for the Exam Cram This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

More info to follow as details progress. Check with your local club rep regarding the club-sponsored study groups and review sessions. Currenlty, CBG, GEBL and NSH are planning study groups and review sessions. Details of those study groups sessions will be posted soon.

Details

Written by Webczar

Parent Category: News

Created: 22 March 2011

This fall we will kick off an 8 class BJCP study group to get some new members trained to be BJCP judges.  We'll probably run an 8 week course held one night a week at Larry's Brewing Supply.  Each class will run around 2-2.5 hours and we'll cover topics for the written part of the exam as well as work our way through the styles.  At the end of October, 12 people will have the opportunity to take the exam.  The exam itself runs $50 and each class will run around $10.  Great time, great beers, and a great learning opportunity.  However, space is limited.  

If you are interested in taking the class, contact Mark Emiley and we'll get you signed up.

Cheers!

Details

Written by Webczar

Parent Category: News

Created: 21 July 2011

Details for the August-October BJCP exam study group classes have been posted here.

The exam itself is full, but you are welcome to attend classes.  Simply contact Mark Emiley through the link on the site.