The BJCP Bulletin

The Official Newsletter of the

Beer Judge Certification Program

March 2020

COVID-19 Update

During this time of worldwide uncertainty with the COVID-19 pandemic, the BJCP asks judges to stay calm, be flexible with your plans, and to follow the directions of your local public health authorities. For those with specific BJCP events planned, click here.

Regional Representatives - Quarter 1 2020 Updates

Read updates from the West, North, Northeast and the Mountain/Northwest regions.

Questioning Traditional Palate Cleansers in Competitions

By Mirella Amato

It’s time we reconsider using crackers (or bread) on the table during beer tasting and judging sessions.

Like most of the things I’m questioning, this custom was adopted from wine.The idea is to have some plain bread or unsalted crackers as a palate cleanser between beers. Here’s the issue: there are number of beers that have a bread or cracker-like note. It would be the equivalent of using apple slices as a palate cleanser for wine. The reason bread and crackers work as a palate cleanser, in this instance, is that there are no bread-like flavours in wine; it’s fruit based.

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DIRECTORATE UPDATES

The following updates from our directorates will be included in the forthcoming 2019 BJCP Annual Report. We wanted to get you current updates as they were submitted by the directors while the full annual report is edited and finalized.

Exam Directorate Update

Overall exam activity in 2019 was lively: over 1200 exams were administered: 85% beer, 6 % written, 7% mead, 2% cider. Approximately 1000 people earned a passing certificate for the entrance exam: 9% for mead, 5 % for cider, and the remainder for beer. Exam growth continues in several regions including Latin America, Europe and …

Education and Training Update

Notable changes and accomplishments from 2019 include: National Homebrew Conference (NHC) Recap. Processed 80+ sensory kit orders for members and upcoming exams. Cider Judge Training & Study Program development and trial. Continued evaluation of new sensory offerings for existing and potential members. Release candidate of new malt sensory and vocabulary exercise. Sensory kit …

Competition Update

This year the BJCP welcomed Michael Bury, GM II, as Assistant Competition Director. As Michael has been coming up to speed, he has been focusing on resolving competitions with delinquent organizer reports. Please help Michael, and your fellow judges, by pushing the organizers from the competitions in which you participate to get their organizer …

Communication Update

The Communications Directorate (CD) manages communications with members through periodic email newsletters, front-page website posts and social media activity. We also respond to general inquiries to the organization from prospective judges, the media or those wishing to use our guidelines for various purposes. Other areas of responsibility include overseeing elections, member badge orders and the …

2019 Financial Report

By Al Boyce, BJCP Finance Director Read more.

Rank Advancement: January-March 2020

Each BJCP Bulletin recognizes judges who have advanced to national or master rank since the last publication. This installment recognizes advancements from roughly October 2019 to December 2019. Congratulations!

Grandmaster Advancements: none this update

Master Advancements: Click here to see the full list of BJCP Master Judges (new Master Judges appear at the bottom on the list). …

Member Announcements: December Newsletter

Interested in adding an announcement to the BJCP Bulletin? Email Andrew Luberto.

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