Sensory Kits

Flavor Kits from Siebel

The BJCP has partnered with the Siebel Institute to provide commercial kits to BJCP exam prep classes. These are not custom kits, but the BJCP was involved with developing and testing the final product. Visit Siebel Institute Sensory Training Kits to learn more.

Individual orders are placed through the BJCP, which will then periodically collect them into groups and place batch orders with Siebel for them to fulfill. This ensures that we will have fresh kits sent out, that we won’t run out of inventory, and that we won’t have to have volunteers handle product fulfillment.  The BJCP is subsidizing the cost of the kit using Education and Training Directorate funds, allocated from the BJCP annual operating budget. Siebel is handling product fulfillment. The BJCP will pay for the shipping costs.

What’s in the kit?

Each sample flavor makes one liter, which provides enough for at least 20 samples. The characteristics in each kit are:

  • Acetaldehyde (green apple, cut grass)
  • Butyric Acid (putrid, baby vomit)
  • Diacetyl (butter, butterscotch)
  • DMS (cooked corn or vegetables)
  • Earthy (geosmin, soil-like)
  • Ethyl Acetate (solvent-like, nail polish remover)
  • Ethyl Hexanoate (aniseed, apple or licorice)
  • Geraniol (floral, geranium flowers)
  • Indole (farm, barnyard)
  • Isovaleric Acid (cheesy, old hops, sweat socks)
  • Papery (oxidized, cardboard)
  • Spicy (cloves, allspice)

Note: Additional flavors and instructions on how to create them can be found in the Guidelines for Doctoring Beers section of the BJCP Beer Exam Study Guide.

How can you get a kit?

The BJCP is currently updating and simplifying our process for sensory kit orders. Instead of having two separate ordering processes (one for exam-related kits and one for non-exam kits), we are moving to a single ordering process in which any BJCP member (with a rank of recognized beer judge or higher, mead judge, or cider judge) may order a subsidized sensory kit once per year at a rate of US $75. 

We are still updating our back-end system to reflect the new pricing of US $75 instead of US $100 and advise members to wait to submit their order until that change is made. However, if a member needs to submit an order now, they may do so using the kit ordering web application and paying the current fee of US $100. No refunds or adjustments will be made once the new price of US $75 goes into effect. 

Important Notes

  • Siebel now requires kits to be shipped to a BUSINESS ADDRESS. Residential addresses will not be accepted. 
  • When ordering, please note that kit orders are processed by the Siebel Institute within two weeks from the time they receive the order from the BJCP. Since they also sell kits to other customers as well, there may be times that they are low on inventory. Therefore, last minute orders may not be received by the time you need them. Please place your kit order with the Education Director at least two months before the first date that you plan to use it. Kits have a finite shelf-life, so don’t keep them around indefinitely. They must be kept refrigerated.

Sensory Training Kit Orders Shipped Outside of the United States — There will likely be associated costs with the delivery of sensory training kits outside of the United States, including local taxes and customs or duty fees. Depending on the country, these fees may be substantial. These are destination charges and are the responsibility of the member to pay upon delivery. The BJCP will subsidize the cost of the kit and the shipping but will not pay these additional destination charges. If you have any questions regarding what additional fees you may need to pay, please contact your local customs officials for those details.

Per the vendor’s request the Education and Training Directorate will need collect Tax ID numbers from people in the following regions prior to the shipping of the kit:

  • Asia
  • Egypt
  • South Africa
  • South America

Contact the  Education Director for specific details.