[bluesman]

Interesting perspective.

http://beerpulse.com/2013/04/why-beer-ratings-are-great-awards-are-overrated-173/

[AmandaK]

Interesting indeed.

Of the gold medal winners I did get to try at GABF last year, I can't say I was underwhelmed by any of them. In fact, that's what got me turned on to Green Flash.

[kylekohlmorgen]

As long as we have something to compare and argue is "the best", we can continue to steer bar banter away from politics.

And this is why I love the beer ranking sites. And SportsCenter Top Plays. And even Consumer Reports.

[hopfenundmalz]

There is a certain amount of randomness in beer competitions.

There is a certain amount of bias and randomness in the fanboy sites. Large samples can give a mean that may be close to the expected value. The web sites do not judge to style., so the guy in the link better not plan on lagers.

[nateo]

Everyone is wrong about everything all the time, but we grow increasingly convinced of our correctness with every pint!

[redbeerman]

Everyone is wrong about everything all the time, but we grow increasingly convinced of our correctness with every pint!

+1

[a10t2]

It seems to me that as long as your beers aren't overtly flawed, medaling in a large competition is very nearly random. That's good news for a small brewery owner, because you can shotgun entries into a few comps and be reasonably certain that you'll medal and get some advertising on the cheap.

Just as an example, last year there were 676 breweries competing at GABF, and 254 medals awarded.

[hopfenundmalz]

It seems to me that as long as your beers aren't overtly flawed, medaling in a large competition is very nearly random. That's good news for a small brewery owner, because you can shotgun entries into a few comps and be reasonably certain that you'll medal and get some advertising on the cheap.

Just as an example, last year there were 676 breweries competing at GABF, and 254 medals awarded.

I agree (darned autocorrect). Then there are breweries like Firestone Walker, that have many medium brewery of the year from GABF  and WBC.

[nateo]

It's all subjective. I'm just glad beer isn't as completely arbitrary as modern art.

[thetooth]

It seems to me that as long as your beers aren't overtly flawed, medaling in a large competition is very nearly random. That's good news for a small brewery owner, because you can shotgun entries into a few comps and be reasonably certain that you'll medal and get some advertising on the cheap.

Just as an example, last year there were 676 breweries competing at GABF, and 254 medals awarded.

Wow, that's crazy!  How do you not get a medal?  How many categories?  I can't imagine there is much prestige in winning gold in "Best American Light Lager In A Can With a Bow Tie and a name that starts with B and ends with R."   LOL

[dbeechum]

How many categories?

There are 84 different styles judged at the GABF: http://www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com/the-competition/beer-styles/

And it ranges from things like American Light Lager to oddball categories like American-Belgo beer, Kellerbier, 4 different IPA categories, etc.

The thing that's different about the GABF styles from the BJCP style is that these are always fluid and reflect what's being brewed commercially.

[weithman5]

It's all subjective. I'm just glad beer isn't as completely arbitrary as modern art.

i am just glad i am not interested in art

[Thirsty_Monk]

I agree with the article. For the same reason I will not put my beers into pro competition.