Messages

76

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: BJCP Entrance Exam is now available

« on: April 05, 2012, 10:18:58 am »

Narvin and Tooth, any exam site can set the rules they want. I don't want someone wasting my time taking up an exam slot for which someone else is already qualified.

My rules going forward are starting to look like:
A $50 deposit in addition to full exam fees with the deposit retured after the exam has been given. I'm tired of people backing out at the last minute. It's a waste of my time.

So for any prospective BJCP judges, if you sign up for an exam site, be darn sure you show up.

And yes, I may be slightly bitter.

I can't say I blame you Mike, I've gotten screwed by people backing out too many times.

That sucks, and I understand not letting people sign up for the exam until they have passed the online entrance test.  I just think the test results shouldn't expire in 12 months if there is no way the BJCP can facilitate testing in your area within that time frame.

I'd be happy with passing the entrance exam and immediately being given the next available testing date in my area... even if that's 2 years out.  At least I'll know that I didn't waste my time and money taking an entrance exam that is worthless by the time I can take the next exam.

I definitely think you should charge for the exam up-front, so you are at least paid if some people don't show up.  It's obnoxious that people sign up to take up hours of your time and don't bother showing up.  I'm sure that's part of the reason the exams are apparently so hard to get into.

To be honest, I thought the BJCP needed judges.  The only reason I started looking into this was to be able to help out with some local comps... assuming I'm qualified and pass the exams.  If that's not the case, I can just hang back and let the people who are dying to call themselves a BJCP judge jump through the hoops.

77

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: What's Brewing This Weekend - 4/6 Edition

« on: April 05, 2012, 10:07:19 am »

Brewing an Oktoberfest on Saturday, then Easter Egg madness and Easter dinner with my in-laws, wife and daughter on Sunday.

78

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: BJCP Entrance Exam is now available

« on: April 03, 2012, 09:47:23 am »

First (directed at an earlier post T made), I will not allow anyone to even waste my time signing up for the taste exam unless they have passed the entrance exam.

So, why would I take the entrance exam if I don't know if there's going to be an available tasting exam?  I only see two tasting exams scheduled in my state in the next 18 months.  Both only seat 12 people, and are already filled.

Are they going to expand the size of these now that it's tasting-only, instead of essays as well?  Otherwise, it doesn't seem like there's an advantage to having the online exam.

I agree with Narvin.  I don't see a reason to bother taking the entrance exam if the results will expire before you can get into a tasting exam.  At the very least, your results should carry until the BJCP can provide the next level of testing, even if that's 18 months+ out.

79

Going Pro / Re: I don't miss homebrewing

« on: March 29, 2012, 10:37:29 am »

The "computer guy" gets hit up for free advice a lot too.  I think it's rude and decided a long time ago if I need to discuss a medical, legal or mechanical problem with a friend, I make an appointment.

Paul

This!  I'm happy to give computer advice, but what kills me is when people want me to work on their computers.  I don't want to spend 4 hours fixing the mess you made for free.  I actually got a few people to stop by asking them to do work in trade.  LOL

80

The Pub / Re: BASEBALL!

« on: March 29, 2012, 10:33:37 am »

Weaz a big reason for liking baseball is that you don't have to stay glued to the tv to see everything. It's even better over the radio.

This.

Used to get the radio feeds at night from Philly, Boston, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, St Louis, Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland when I was growing up in NJ.  Loved the hometown announcers.

GO BIRDS!

+1... I love having the game on in the background while I'm doing something else... although I do find myself sitting down riveted at certain times during the game.  It's a relaxing way to enjoy a sporting event.  I don't need everything I do and/or watch to be fast-paced and riveting.  Sometimes a lazy day watching baseball is nice.

81

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Buying Beer

« on: March 26, 2012, 09:33:53 am »

I have found myself buying beer for research as I delve into producing better beer. I choose a style and then select a few different commercial beers to sample that characterize it.........it's the best homework I've ever had to do!

+1

When I first started brewing I'd buy ALOT of beer to study up on the styles.

Now, I tend to buy only the brews Im trying to specifically recreate, or if Im trying to do a certain style and Im wanting to shift my recipe or come up with a new one, Ill buy a couple great of examples of that style as Im recipe writing(i.e. Im doing a Golden strong ale and picked up a Duvel and Delerium Tremens).

Ill also pick up the occasional beer that catches my eye that I may not have tried before. Can't learn if you're not seeing what other great beer is out there!

This is exactly what I do.  I pretty much only buy to calibrate my palate or if I see something new and interesting.

82

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: What's Brewing This Weekend - 3/23 Edition

« on: March 22, 2012, 10:32:51 am »

Brewing a Kolsch on Saturday.

83

Equipment and Software / Re: Brewing Software App for Droids?

« on: March 13, 2012, 12:53:48 pm »

Well I installed 5 or 6 different apps I found on the market but didn't like them.

Bradley Smith is working on a version of Beersmith for Android and iOS.

I've tried a few and haven't been thrilled with any of them.  I'll be looking forward to trying an Android Beersmith app.

84

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: What's Brewing This Weekend - 3/9 Edition

« on: March 07, 2012, 03:07:51 pm »

Will be attempting my first Helles this weekend.

85

The Pub / Re: Mashing out a little early

« on: February 01, 2012, 03:27:47 pm »

Good luck, buddy.  Seriously, get some sleep now while you can.

86

Equipment and Software / Re: Brewpots

« on: February 01, 2012, 11:01:17 am »

With kettles, bigger is definitely better.  I have a 7.5g, 12g, and 25g.  I haven't actually used the 7.5g kettle in years now.  I use the 12g for my 5-8 gallon batches, and the 25g for 8-15 gallon batches.

87

The Pub / Re: bow bow...chick....chicka chickaaaaaaaah

« on: February 01, 2012, 10:31:52 am »

Really?  Let's get out and live life in a lame cute ute (minivan of the new millennium)?  What a waste of Ferris Bueller nostalgia.

88

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Wisconsin Tavern League eqates homebrewing to moonshine

« on: January 30, 2012, 12:14:46 pm »

New Glarus is a member.  This is criminal....

If I were New Glarus, I'd be distancing myself from that organization as quickly as I could.

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General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Wisconsin Tavern League eqates homebrewing to moonshine

« on: January 30, 2012, 12:12:56 pm »

I didn't realize that events in India were of comparable to Wisconsin law.   

That is just embarrassing.

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General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Refractometer vs. hydrometer

« on: January 30, 2012, 12:11:08 pm »

I did it after breaking 3, but in hindsight I should have just bought one right away.

Although I still use a hydrometer for final gravity readings, I find a refractometer makes the brew day easier.