[braufessor]

I have been trying to keep my eyes open, but have not seen anything as of yet.  Has there been any talk or confirmation as to how the new BJCP guidelines will line up with the NHC Medal categories? 
*Will it just correspond directly, like it has in the past?
*Will new BJCP categories be combined to keep the same number of judging categories the same as in the past?

I know the new guidelines include more categories, which creates new obstacles for judging.  Just wondering if anyone knew when this information might be confirmed?

Thanks

[a10t2]

From what I heard at NHC, the plan is to move to the new guidelines but not add all the new subcategories for the first year. I don't know if the decision on exactly which categories to include has been finalized yet. I think Janice Gross would be running the show on that.

[Janis]

Hi all,

The AHA Governing Committee's Competition Subcommittee is reviewing the 2015 BJCP style guidelines using NHC entry information from 2015 and before, and a decision will be made and announced in August or September 2015 detailing the changes for the 2016 National Homebrew Competition styles.

The 2008 guidelines had 23 beer categories, 3 mead categories, and 2 cider categories.  I do not anticipate simply transitioning to the categories in the 2015 BJCP Guidelines.  Instead, we will use a modified version of the 2015 BJCP styles, with the possible addition of a few new styles.

Cheers,
Janis

[udubdawg]

Hi all,

The AHA Governing Committee's Competition Subcommittee is reviewing the 2015 BJCP style guidelines using NHC entry information from 2015 and before, and a decision will be made and announced in August or September 2015 detailing the changes for the 2016 National Homebrew Competition styles.

The 2008 guidelines had 23 beer categories, 3 mead categories, and 2 cider categories.  I do not anticipate simply transitioning to the categories in the 2015 BJCP Guidelines.  Instead, we will use a modified version of the 2015 BJCP styles, with the possible addition of a few new styles.

Cheers,
Janis

So I talked with co-chair Sandy.  Sounds like this is decided; should work pretty well.
Now that it's November could the AHA make it official?

thanks--
--Michael

[deathrider]

Just bumping this topic to find out if and when the categories for the 2016 NHC will be posted. I would not want to encourage our club to brew a historical style if it is not going to be on the list.
Thanks, Paul

[klickitat jim]

Just bumping this topic to find out if and when the categories for the 2016 NHC will be posted. I would not want to encourage our club to brew a historical style if it is not going to be on the list.
Thanks, Paul

The info should come out when Janis gets back from vacation (in a couple weeks I'm guessing)

[toby]

Also keep in mind that they may not be able to make that assessment until they know how many entries there are.  For example, if they have a lot of Kolsches entered, they may split those off from the main category.

[bbesser]

There was a little blurb about this in the November/December Zymurgy.  It says they combined the 40 categories down to 31, which retained most of the 2008 BJCP categories, to make it easier to transition to the current guidelines and breakup some of the larger categories.  So, no word on final categories (that I have seen) so far.

[udubdawg]

When I talked to Sandy it looked like the '15 styles fit fairly well into '08-'15 categories, with the big 3 split up to make 31. So, APA would have own category, American Amber/Brown would have own category, small stouts split from bigger stouts, and AIPA its own cat too. I believe the American Wild were in a big Specialty Category.
I'm certain Historical Styles will be welcome, and will be judged by their existing guidelines where possible but also certain they won't have their own category - they'll either be in specialty, split up to categories they fit better, or more likely IMO, a combination of both.

As before, if the AHA could make this official, that'd be great.

Cheers--
--Michael

[AmandaK]

I believe the American Wild were in a big Specialty Category.

If that is the case, I believe that the AHA and associated sub-committees are seriously underestimating the American Wild segment. I won't be wasting any of my American sours on NHC if they are up against big giant fruit/peanut butter/spice/coconut/etc bombs in a catch-all Speciality category.

[udubdawg]

I believe the American Wild were in a big Specialty Category.

If that is the case, I believe that the AHA and associated sub-committees are seriously underestimating the American Wild segment. I won't be wasting any of my American sours on NHC if they are up against big giant fruit/peanut butter/spice/coconut/etc bombs in a catch-all Speciality category.

I would generally agree, though it becomes fairly self-defeating of your prophecy if too many share your views and hold back their American Wild entries. 
At least there are 3 subcategories for Wild entrants now instead of one.

[AmandaK]

I believe the American Wild were in a big Specialty Category.

If that is the case, I believe that the AHA and associated sub-committees are seriously underestimating the American Wild segment. I won't be wasting any of my American sours on NHC if they are up against big giant fruit/peanut butter/spice/coconut/etc bombs in a catch-all Speciality category.

I would generally agree, though it becomes fairly self-defeating of your prophecy if too many share your views and hold back their American Wild entries. 
At least there are 3 subcategories for Wild entrants now instead of one.

Perhaps, but NHC is 5 bottles. And you know how stingy I am with my sours... 

[klickitat jim]

I believe the American Wild were in a big Specialty Category.

If that is the case, I believe that the AHA and associated sub-committees are seriously underestimating the American Wild segment. I won't be wasting any of my American sours on NHC if they are up against big giant fruit/peanut butter/spice/coconut/etc bombs in a catch-all Speciality category.

Ya I hear you. Especially if you draw those judges who are biased toward 15% abv peanut butter beers.

[ynotbrusum]

I hear you Amanda - I have been trying some blending and experimenting, so some of my recent sours are only netting 8-10 bottles!

[reverseapachemaster]

I'd still be hesitant to enter until we see how judges are going to treat the new wild categories especially if your beers are significantly different from the classic Belgian styles or a berliner.