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Author Topic: Competition Cheating  (Read 4017 times)

Offline Fade1800

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Competition Cheating
« on: December 09, 2014, 06:53:28 pm »
If I have evidence of cheating in an AHA/BJCP sanctioned event, I was wondering what recourse is available for lodging a grievance? I'd appreciate any help that can be provided as to what the protocol is for such an issue. Thanks in advance.

Offline Stevie

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Competition Cheating
« Reply #1 on: December 09, 2014, 06:56:37 pm »
Don't tease. What was the offense? What was the result? How'd you figure it out?

Offline Fade1800

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Re: Competition Cheating
« Reply #2 on: December 09, 2014, 07:02:17 pm »
I can't reveal the details yet. I'm giving the offending party 24 hours to come clean about what he did before taking this further. After that, I will be stepping it up a notch, which may include going public. I am hoping that the AHA has an official grievance policy I can follow, as I'd like to execute this responsibly.

Offline denny

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Re: Competition Cheating
« Reply #3 on: December 09, 2014, 07:05:28 pm »
I can't reveal the details yet. I'm giving the offending party 24 hours to come clean about what he did before taking this further. After that, I will be stepping it up a notch, which may include going public. I am hoping that the AHA has an official grievance policy I can follow, as I'd like to execute this responsibly.

Unless it's NHC, the AHA doesn't really sanction events. If it's something other than NHC, take it to the BJCP.  If it's NHC, contact Janis Gross at the AHA.
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Offline Fade1800

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Re: Competition Cheating
« Reply #4 on: December 09, 2014, 07:15:44 pm »
I can't reveal the details yet. I'm giving the offending party 24 hours to come clean about what he did before taking this further. After that, I will be stepping it up a notch, which may include going public. I am hoping that the AHA has an official grievance policy I can follow, as I'd like to execute this responsibly.

Unless it's NHC, the AHA doesn't really sanction events. If it's something other than NHC, take it to the BJCP.  If it's NHC, contact Janis Gross at the AHA.

Thanks. I have emailed the BJCP as well to see if I can get some direction.

Offline Jimmy K

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Re: Competition Cheating
« Reply #5 on: December 09, 2014, 07:50:04 pm »
BJCP will likely tell you to contact the competition organizer directly. Unless it's a problem with the entire competition that is.
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Offline flbrewer

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Re: Competition Cheating
« Reply #6 on: December 10, 2014, 01:09:05 pm »
Wouldn't most if not all cheating revolve around people bottling commercial beer as their own?

Offline Stevie

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Re: Competition Cheating
« Reply #7 on: December 10, 2014, 01:12:49 pm »

Wouldn't most if not all cheating revolve around people bottling commercial beer as their own?
Or knowing which entry belongs to which brewer. Maybe entering more beers than allowed for a category?

Offline dkfick

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Re: Competition Cheating
« Reply #8 on: December 10, 2014, 01:17:25 pm »
It's really a competition based issue.  I would contact the actual competition coordinators and work from there.  Unless the cheating was done by a BJCP judge in the course of judging... Then maybe the BJCP.
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Offline dmtaylor

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Re: Competition Cheating
« Reply #9 on: December 10, 2014, 01:19:17 pm »
Wouldn't most if not all cheating revolve around people bottling commercial beer as their own?

[derail NOT intended]

Topic for another day.... I have always wondered how commercial beers would score against homebrews, side by side in a real contest.  I have NOT -- I repeat -- NOT done this in a real sanctioned comp.  But I do always wonder.  Matter of fact, when we do our own informal blind tastings in our local homebrew club, as organizer I always throw in a good well known commercial example to see how our homebrews stack up against the commercial beer.  Results?  After doing this about 4 or 5 times over the years, the commercial beer has never taken first place.  It's often in the top 3 or 4, but never the best example.  Conclusion: Some homebrewers are making some pretty darn good beer.

Disclaimer: Do NOT try this in a real sanctioned competition.  Just do it for fun, with your friends.

[but I digress... sorry...  /derail]
Dave

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Offline jeffy

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Re: Competition Cheating
« Reply #10 on: December 10, 2014, 03:27:53 pm »
Another kind of cheating would involve "home team" biases, where the host club tries to get a leg up on the competing clubs in a rivalry by losing an entry here and there.
Mostly, though, I would think cheating involves knowing which beers belong to which brewer.  This is the reason for anonymity in bottle shape and size and blacking out marks on the caps.
I suppose a dishonest steward could influence the outcome, but I've never seen that.  Actually I've seen people request to be stewards on flights they have an entry.  This should be discouraged unless that person is beyond reproach.
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Offline klickitat jim

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Re: Competition Cheating
« Reply #11 on: December 10, 2014, 05:01:49 pm »
I could see motivation to cheat if winning meant you could pay off your house with the award money, but in most cases it amounts to a trophy you could buy for less money than shipping the beer costs. Don't cheat, just buy a medal and lie to your buddies.

Offline HoosierBrew

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Re: Competition Cheating
« Reply #12 on: December 10, 2014, 05:12:52 pm »
I agree Jim. Assuming it's true, I think it's lame. Enter the comp, if you got a 25 who gives a damn? Read the feedback and brew it better next time. Beats being a fraud.
Jon H.

Offline macbrews

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Re: Competition Cheating
« Reply #13 on: December 10, 2014, 08:27:20 pm »
Not long ago I judged a California Common that was in an Anchor Steam bottle that tasted remarkably similar to Anchor Steam.  The cap was different but that would easily be changed.  Wasn't sure what to do.  It wasn't a big competition (~80 total beers/meads)  but the prizes were significant ($75).  I gave the brewer the benefit of the doubt and it took first (I did note on the scoresheet that it tasted just like Anchor) .  The same brewer ended up winning/placing in some other categories as well.  Haven't seen his name on any of the other competitions.

I still wonder about if I did the right thing, but it was the best beer.

What would you have done?

Mac

Offline JT

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Re: Competition Cheating
« Reply #14 on: December 10, 2014, 08:35:04 pm »
Best defense in these cases is a good offense.  Get to know brewers; even, or especially those we don't know or recognize.  It will only help the hobby grow for new brewers and will root out those rarities that are trying to take advantage.