With limited entries, one possible thought in regard to Ninkasi is make the first criteria the total number of medals won in the final round. For instance if 2 people win 3 medals (of any color) they are the only two in contention. To me, a silver and a bronze in the final (or even 2 bronzes) is more impressive than a single gold...... if we are talking about Ninkasi.
By the time you are talking about medaling in the final round....... they are ALL great beers. If Ninkasi is about who can brew the greatest number of great beers.... well, the first criteria should be who is winning the most medals. From there, go with a point system. That would make it less likely that there is the 23-way tie scenario.
Or, maybe incorporate points from both the first round and the second round right off the bat....
Just a thought - as entries are limited, it will become a case of a single gold possibly carrying enough weight to make the Ninkasi pretty crazy.