Packaging and handling issues are usually the culprit when a disparate result is received among competitions closely spaced in time, for sure. But again, my friend happened to have the exact bottle that was judged (he was judging other styles and asked the steward to save the bottles that were judged, so he could try his entry).
He is a highly award winning homebrewer and I trust his palate. He chalked it up to experience and human perception differences. Setting aside the score, stated “flaws” that are not present is particularly annoying. I have taken issue with a judging partner when the flaw found by the other judge is simply not present. Thankfully, it is usually resolved by bringing in another judge to get his or her take on the matter. Finally, I appreciate that a younger palate is likely more able to perceive things more sensitively than an old dog like me, but when it’s not there, it’s not there and it is okay to admit that judges, like umpires in baseball, sometimes miss the call.
Best of luck to the OP with his Brown Ale rebrew.