[denny]

So if I made a New Glarus Belgian Red clone & enter it into a competition and it's listed as one of the commercial examples. What would you suggest I list as an underlying style? I'm sorry, but I haven't been able to find a Wisconsin Cherry Ale anywhere in the guidelines. I think that's a fairly valid point, does anyone agree?     

I guess what I'm getting at is that there are beers we make that don't fit anywhere in the guidelines and there fore can't really be entered into a comp. 

[Beertracker]

So if I made a New Glarus Belgian Red clone & enter it into a competition and it's listed as one of the commercial examples. What would you suggest I list as an underlying style? I'm sorry, but I haven't been able to find a Wisconsin Cherry Ale anywhere in the guidelines. I think that's a fairly valid point, does anyone agree?     

I guess what I'm getting at is that there are beers we make that don't fit anywhere in the guidelines and there fore can't really be entered into a comp.

I understand what you're saying Denny, but when a beer is listed as a commercial example of a particular style then one would think you should be able to "clone it" and do reasonably well in a competition.

[mrbounds]

My favorites are:

1:I would gladly drink more than one 

2: I get an alcohol warmth with every sip.

The beer won a gold medal by the way!

[denny]

I understand what you're saying Denny, but when a beer is listed as a commercial example of a particular style then one would think you should be able to "clone it" and do reasonably well in a competition.

Can't disagree with that, Jeff.

[denny]

My favorites are:

1:I would gladly drink more than one 

2: I get an alcohol warmth with every sip.

The beer won a gold medal by the way!

The scoresheet for NHC second round has these listed as checkboxes for overall impression...

I would finish this sample
I would drink a pint of this beer
I would pay money for this beer
Please send me the recipe!!!

[bluesman]

Yea Denny, I got "Please send me the recipe" on my second round Trad Bock last year which I was humbled by.

[ryan6458]

 On  the same scoresheet the judge said that my O-fest was "slightly astringent" and then later said it had "good mouthfeel." Still a little baffled by that one!

I also entered my Ruination clone into the IPA category just for kicks and it was ding-ed for not being hoppy enough for the style!!  Yeah, I guess nearly 4lbs of hops per barrel and 120ibus is a little underhopped for an IPA. LMAO! Now when I enter comps I don't expect to do well. What I'm looking for is entertainment from the scoresheets. Don't get me wrong, judging beer is  A LOT harder than most people think, but sometimes judges are either getting entries mixed up or they're just plain crazy!

[Beertracker]

On  the same scoresheet the judge said that my O-fest was "slightly astringent" and then later said it had "good mouthfeel." Still a little baffled by that one!

That's one of my pet peeves when giving a BJCP CEP class or grading exams. I emphasize keeping comments consistent and structured because those can be very annoying & even frustrating as a brewer/entrant. I know that really bothers me when I receive scoresheets with contradicting comments/scores. 

[denny]

sometimes judges are either getting entries mixed up or they're just plain crazy!

Well, I know which it is for me....

[dbeechum]

I emphasize keeping comments consistent and structured because those can be very annoying & even frustrating as a brewer/entrant.

Whenever we're teaching one thing I try and drill into the students' heads - don't assume you know anything about the ingredients or process. Several people have already posted comments where the judges had something completely wrong. It turns the entrant off from listening to anything else you may say. Its unfortunate.

So the lesson from me is always: "couch your comments in 'did you' constructs or 'if you'", e.g. "if you used extract, try using paler extracts or shifting the addition towards the end of the boil" Then your AG entrant isn't going to automatically file your words in the "judge who doesn't know shinola" category.

[brewmasternpb]

I posted earlier on in this thread, and would like to point out that constructive criticism is way more prevalent than Witty B.S.  I do think the BJCP does a great job.  I've never had a comment that wasn't constructive.  I've had judges' comments that were contradictory, but that's to be expected.  I will continue to "waste the beer and money" on entering comps.

[MDixon]

I find most of the people who make the waste beer and money comments either got back sheets they felt substandard from a previous competition or cannot brew to style to save their butt...

[MrNate]

I find most of the people who make the waste beer and money comments either got back sheets they felt substandard from a previous competition or cannot brew to style to save their butt...

How did you find that?

[ryan6458]

I find most of the people who make the waste beer and money comments either got back sheets they felt substandard from a previous competition or cannot brew to style to save their butt...

How did you find that?

Lots and lots of "research." No gut feelings, just cold hard facts. 

[The Professor]

Now I remember why I don't enter comps. 

+1000

+100k. I'm not into comps really...not opposed certainly, as long as one doesn't take it very seriously.  So I've only entered a few but  had great fun judging dozens of them (and managed to taste some very good beers in the process).

My favorite received comment  is one I have mentioned once or twice before in other threads, regarding my Scotch Ale/Wee Heavy;   I don't have the sheet in front of me (though I did save it somewhere) but in essence it said that I had entered it in the wrong category because it wasn't hoppy enough to be a Scotch Ale .   
...o----kay....
thank you.  next please....