[thomasbarnes]

I've considered the BJCP exam in general but 1. finding a place to take the test and 2. finding a place that has classes are both effectively impossible. I think there was an exam in London a few months ago, but I have no idea when the next one will be.

Now that Ant Hayes is gone, I have to wonder if there will be more BJCP exams in Europe, since he seemed to be one of the main drivers of the program in South Africa and the UK. If there's sufficient interest, though, the BJCP might try to organize an exam in your country, as it has in various South American countries. It might be worth talking to someone in the BJCP leadership.

As for classes, there are lots of online resources. David Teckham (BJCP GM judge) offers an online test tutoring course (http://www.beerjudgeschool.com/) for a smallish fee. There are also plenty of BJCP judges, senior and otherwise, on the AHA forum, so if you have questions about the test you can ask here.

I think the homemade route is the best one - plus, the flavoractiv people are charging a huge amount of money for their kits. Still, it's a great resource - thanks for sharing the link.

The Flavor Activ web site is quite good, both for descriptors and for active ingredients in their kits. For home-made kits, in addition the off-flavor recommendations in the Interim study guide, Randy Mosher gives beer doctoring ideas in his books "Radical Brewing" and "Tasting Beer." I also gave detailed beer doctoring ideas here:

http://www.homebrewersassociation.org/forum/index.php?topic=2506.msg32992#msg32992

[tschmidlin]

I've considered the BJCP exam in general but 1. finding a place to take the test and 2. finding a place that has classes are both effectively impossible. I think there was an exam in London a few months ago, but I have no idea when the next one will be.

Now that Ant Hayes is gone, I have to wonder if there will be more BJCP exams in Europe, since he seemed to be one of the main drivers of the program in South Africa and the UK. If there's sufficient interest, though, the BJCP might try to organize an exam in your country, as it has in various South American countries. It might be worth talking to someone in the BJCP leadership.

The main restrictions on exams is that the proctors "must" be National rank or higher, but exceptions have been made in the past.  The administrator can be anyone.  As for classes, you'll probably have to run them yourself just like the rest of us

Depending on when you have it, you might be able to recruit some proctors to come over there - if not the people who just took the exam in UK, then maybe from the US.   If you really want to have an exam, talk to Gordon and he'll help you figure out how to get it done.

Places to take the exam - restaurants before they open are great.  They are usually there anyway getting things ready for the day, so letting you sit and take the exam with the promise you'll stay and eat/drink has worked out well for us in the past.  Of course for us it is usually a brew pub or a place with a good beer menu.

Anyway, it will be a lot easier to get started when the new exam is in place, since people will take it online and you just have to schedule the tasting.  That will be much shorter than the current 3 hours for the exam.  You're looking at August of 2012 at the earliest anyway, maybe you should schedule one now and worry about the details later

[gordonstrong]

Depending on when you have it, you might be able to recruit some proctors to come over there - if not the people who just took the exam in UK, then maybe from the US.   If you really want to have an exam, talk to Gordon and he'll help you figure out how to get it done.

We had two proctors from the US (Tom and Colleen Cannon) go over for the UK exam.  I think there was some negotiating over a mutually agreeable time, but several proctor-eligible judges go over there all the time so I'm sure something could be arranged.

We understand how difficult it is to get BJCP infrastructure started in a new country, so we're willing to work with people who can handle the local logistics.  Steve Piatz was able to go down to Argentina to help them get started recently.  Australia is now self-sustaining, and has several National judges.  They're the real model for starting up and growing a local BJCP chapter.

Contact me or the exam directors and I'm sure we can work something out.

[tschmidlin]

Hopefully the BJCP can give special dispensation to allow a Paris exam that coincides with some proctors' trip there, regardless of how full the exam schedule is.  Nudge nudge Gordon. 

[gordonstrong]

Well, Paris isn't too far from Belgium...

[tschmidlin]

I was actually thinking a Belgium exam would be better, because I'm more likely to go there than Paris.  I imagine most brewers feel the same way.

[gordonstrong]

You get that 90 yet?

[Will's Swill]

Well, speaking for myself, I much prefer Paris to Belgium.  An upcoming trip will likely be to Paris.  But I won't be drinking much beer.  

[tschmidlin]

You get that 90 yet?

91.  Now I need to redo the written.  I had a slot in San Diego, but had to give it up since it conflicts with the GC meeting.  That's fine though, it will wait until I have time to study, sometime after I graduate.

[phillamb168]

I know Ant Hayes' shoes would be a little too big for me to fill, but I'd certainly be willing to pick up where he left off in terms of getting the BJCP in Europe. This coincides with our efforts to get a larger Homebrewing association going in Europe - the two go hand-in-hand, really.

Gordon I'll PM you.

Me and Darin "know" the co-owner of Chez Moeder Lambic, he's a pretty cool guy and I'm sure he'd be happy to have the tasting test before they open or something. Belgium does seem like the natural starting place for that, plus Moeder has one of the largest selections of well-kept draft beers in the world. Gordon you're quite right of course, Paris is only about 80 minutes away from Brussels. We could have an after-after-party at my house :-)

Will, let me know when you're here - at the very least if you have time we should meet up at Cave á bulles…

One question about all this, is where can I get a concise list of BJCP-authorized examples of styles? I know Zymurgy has a tasting panel published every now and then which lists commercial examples, but a concise list would be ideal.

[tschmidlin]

One question about all this, is where can I get a concise list of BJCP-authorized examples of styles? I know Zymurgy has a tasting panel published every now and then which lists commercial examples, but a concise list would be ideal.

In the style guidelines there is a list of classic commercial examples or each style.
http://www.bjcp.org/2008styles/catdex.php

[Will's Swill]

Will, let me know when you're here - at the very least if you have time we should meet up at Cave á bulles…

If you know where to get get decent beer in France, then I'm in.  I'm going to need a place to hide when my wife goes furniture shopping anyway.  Perhaps you can save me.  It'll probably be sometime this summer, but the trip isn't scheduled yet.