2017 National Brewing Championships

[molc]

Majority of Judges are BJCP, and it's the BJCP system the judges are measuring against, don't think the organisers are ever going to let us entrants know who judges which cat in advance, just be rest assured that judging is done to the highest possible standard.
I'll let some of the BJCP qualified judges comment at this point
Have you had a bad experience before?

I've had a beer judged by non BJCP judge last year but I was happy with the critique. Will it be 100% BJCP judges this year?

The judges don't know what they will be judging until close to the event, but on the system we're able to mark styles where we have a preference/better knowledge. I mark myself out of cider as I wouldn't have the knowledge to do it justice. I'm sure other judges do the same.

As for the Brett beers, all judges that have done the course have tried quite a few different examples and discussed the desirable and less desirable traits for those beers. This year alone we had some IPA homebrews with brett, along with the more classical examples.

Your Brett beer will also be judged against the best of the flight on the day, so that table will be calibrated by doing 10+ beers. The best beers usually advance I've found.

[garciaBernal]

Thanks molc. I wasn't blowing my own trumpet as previously stated but just generally wondering what the judging process and experience for this style was as it's near impossible to lay hands on this style in Ireland. Judges seem to need experience in every category so and that's what I was wondering. As always all I want is open and honest feedback from trained personnel so I can continue to improve and learn from every brew I make!

[molc]

For the course, we do focused classes on a number of style groupings, along with off flavour focused sessions where we taste some of them isolation. I hope never to do buturic acid again!

Over 6/7 classes, I think we went through ~50 different beers, covering a large spectrum of styles and substyles. After that, you have a mock and a full exam, so another 12 there. A fresh judge, who hasn't done a single competition, already has critically analysed ~60 beers, which isn't too shabby. Then each competition is adding 10-15 beers to that tally.

Brett isn't too hard to get, as there are a lot of Belgian examples. Orval would be a classic, if understated example. Then you have the mixed fermentations Reds, lambic, saison etc., where it may be part of the flavour profile but not as dominant.

After that, there are quite a few homebrewers using Brett these days, which gives more variety in what you can try, as well as trying to pick out the good qualities of Brett from the other flavours the brewer has introduced.

[garciaBernal]

None of the examples you mention are 100% brett though. Orval is bottle conditioned with brett as far as I know and all the others are mixed fermentation. Is there any 100% brett beers on the shelves in Ireland?

[nigel_c]

White Hag have a brett pale ale that is 100% brett fermentation if I remember correctly.

[phoenix]

None of the examples you mention are 100% brett though. Orval is bottle conditioned with brett as far as I know and all the others are mixed fermentation. Is there any 100% brett beers on the shelves in Ireland?

Yes there are. There was one from Crooked Stave released just last week.

[Leann ull]

Minor details, enter it you know you want to....

Actually at this stage you might be too late based on registrations?

[Bubbles]

The strength/experience of the judges you get on the day aside, the BJCP guidelines do allow for 100% Brett beers and also state that "Brett character may range from minimal to aggressive", so you're probably covered.

[garciaBernal]

White Hag was 644 which for me is a sacch strain so that was cheating on their behalf. Crooked Stave is a good call but keep it to yourself yeah!  I'll enter it anyway and see how it goes.

[Bubbles]

Actually at this stage you might be too late based on registrations?

Really?? What are we up to now??

[Leann ull]

Oh thank God
Be funny if it was the only one now as all the bjcp funk judges on here (many) would seek it out and dissect it to shreds! All that feckin hype I'm going looking for it if I'm involved on the day
Best of Luck in any case

[Leann ull]

Actually at this stage you might be too late based on registrations?

Really?? What are we up to now??

It used to say it on the entry page in previous comps, I've no clue

https://youtu.be/OvTAxWoy8-s

[Bubbles]

 

[garciaBernal]

Oh thank God
Be funny if it was the only one now as all the bjcp funk judges on here (many) would seek it out and dissect it to shreds! All that feckin hype I'm going looking for it if I'm involved on the day
Best of Luck in any case

I hope the BJCP funk judges do seek it out and dissect it. That's the whole purpose of it. I'd prefer if you stayed away from it seeing as you're not one of the funk experts. 100% brett fermentations exhibit a lot less/very little funk compared to secondary fermented/bottle conditioned brett beers. Just a non-funky tip in case you ever do go judging!

[bachus]

Lads,
Just a quick question... 375ml/750ml mead bottles are allowed?