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Author Topic: Scoresheet comment... Inappropriate?  (Read 7390 times)

Offline brewmasternpb

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Scoresheet comment... Inappropriate?
« on: April 26, 2013, 10:34:18 pm »
Hi guys, I got my 2 scoresheets back from the regional competition for NHC.  One was great, I think I advanced to the second round with a 44.  The other one was a 28, a score I am much more used to  ;D.
I usually like the comments, even if they are critical, but a comment I received for my 28 beer (IPA), seemed a little harsh.  For overall impression, it says:
Very nice but very one dimensional
more like a big pale ale
Better Beers on table


So, I may be too sensitive here, but I just wanted to know what you guys thought of the third line, I just thought it went without saying that if you scored a 28, there were better beers on the table.
Dave Malone
The Greater Denver Yeast Infection

Offline rbclay

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Re: Scoresheet comment... Inappropriate?
« Reply #1 on: April 26, 2013, 10:56:01 pm »
I'd say that last comment was unnecessary, albeit likely true. I have certainly thought it, but I wouldn't write it.
Randy Clay
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Offline klickitat jim

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Re: Scoresheet comment... Inappropriate?
« Reply #2 on: April 26, 2013, 10:59:07 pm »
I would be proud of the high score and either forget the low one or rework the recipe and make it better. But I wouldn't let the low one get to me.

"Friends don't let friends drink bad beer"


Offline brewmasternpb

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Re: Scoresheet comment... Inappropriate?
« Reply #3 on: April 26, 2013, 11:02:39 pm »
The good news is, my problem is finally the recipe (after 10 years of tweaking the process).  I was going for an extremely simple IPA, but probably shouldn't have for competition.
Dave Malone
The Greater Denver Yeast Infection

Offline udubdawg

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Re: Scoresheet comment... Inappropriate?
« Reply #4 on: April 27, 2013, 06:41:20 am »
I don't think I'd be offended by it, but they really wasted their time writing something that goes without saying - if it didn't advance, and wasn't mis-categorized, then well yeah there were better beers on the table...

Offline tom

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Re: Scoresheet comment... Inappropriate?
« Reply #5 on: April 27, 2013, 06:59:53 am »
This is from "How To Judge Beer" on the BJCP site:  "First off, avoid negative comments."  And "Diplomacy is a valuable skill as a beer judge."
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Offline wactuary

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Re: Scoresheet comment... Inappropriate?
« Reply #6 on: April 27, 2013, 07:48:33 am »
To defend the judge a little...

The judge was probably feeling bad about a lower score for a clean beer and trying to convey that. I bet they did not realize the negative tone it conveyed. It can be hard to find a beer that is good on process and fits style parameters but does not fair well on a relative/subjective basis.

Either way, the comment doesn't belong, as no recipe tweaking will change the other beers on the table, but I bet it wasn't intended as negatively as it came across.

Offline klickitat jim

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Re: Scoresheet comment... Inappropriate?
« Reply #7 on: April 27, 2013, 08:02:12 am »
I'm not a beer judge. But I have experience at evaluating performance. Comments must be valuable, and to be valuable they must be useful.

Other beers were better would only be a useful comment if the brewer was there and tasted the better beer and understood what made them better and how to change that in his beer. It was a useless comment but not a mean or personal one.

"Friends don't let friends drink bad beer"


Offline alikocho

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Re: Scoresheet comment... Inappropriate?
« Reply #8 on: April 27, 2013, 09:01:05 am »
On another tack - you have scoresheets back?

No sign of mine yet, and there's no results been leaked on the web.

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Offline udubdawg

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Re: Scoresheet comment... Inappropriate?
« Reply #9 on: April 27, 2013, 09:13:49 am »
On another tack - you have scoresheets back?

No sign of mine yet, and there's no results been leaked on the web.

some regions finished 3 weeks ago.  others only 6 days ago.

Offline alikocho

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Re: Scoresheet comment... Inappropriate?
« Reply #10 on: April 27, 2013, 09:17:45 am »
On another tack - you have scoresheets back?

No sign of mine yet, and there's no results been leaked on the web.

some regions finished 3 weeks ago.  others only 6 days ago.

I know. My region was one of the first done.
Bristol Brewing Circle (BBC)
Bristol Craft Brewers

UK National Homebrew Competition - http://www.bristolhomebrewcompetition.org.uk/

Offline nateo

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Re: Scoresheet comment... Inappropriate?
« Reply #11 on: April 27, 2013, 09:39:18 am »
Other beers were better would only be a useful comment if the brewer was there and tasted the better beer and understood what made them better and how to change that in his beer. It was a useless comment but not a mean or personal one.

Exactly.
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Offline Mark G

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Re: Scoresheet comment... Inappropriate?
« Reply #12 on: April 27, 2013, 10:34:12 am »
That comment really didn't serve any purpose. He probably could have used the space better to describe what additional dimensions would have improved the beer. With that said, don't stress it, you advanced with a 44 score on your other beer. That's an awesome score! Revel in your success.
Mark Gres

Offline brewmasternpb

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Re: Scoresheet comment... Inappropriate?
« Reply #13 on: April 27, 2013, 11:10:57 pm »
Thanks Mark,
I agree with the general vibe of what has been said.  I'm really not trying to be self-deprecating or bitter.  I'm just always looking for constructive criticism. 
Dave Malone
The Greater Denver Yeast Infection

Offline Bruce B

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Re: Scoresheet comment... Inappropriate?
« Reply #14 on: April 27, 2013, 11:54:08 pm »
The email address of the person who judged the entry should be on the score sheet.  If you'd like you could email the judge and let them know that while perhaps well intended, you found the comment to be nonconstructive.
Prosit, Sláinte, Salute, Na Zdravi, Cheers! - Bruce
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