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The purpose of the Beer Judge Certification Program is to promote beer literacy and the appreciation of real beer, and to recognize beer tasting and evaluation skills. We certify and rank beer judges through an examination and monitoring process.
The BJCP was founded in 1985 and has administered the Beer Judge Examination to 7,292 individuals worldwide. 4,272 are currently active judges in the program, with 657 holding the rank of National or higher. Since we started keeping detailed records, our members have judged over 817,525 beers and we have sanctioned over 5,348 competitions. For the current year, 99 exams have been registered. Exams have been given to 322 examinees. Organizers have registered 323 competitions. More detailed statistics can be found in the Database Reports section of the website. |
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NHC 2nd Round Judging
Registration is open for 2nd round judging at the NHC. Attendance at the conference is not required to judge. Lots of judges are needed; however, if over-subscribed, preference will be given to judges with higher BJCP ranks.
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BJCP Reception at NHC
Registration is now open for the BJCP Reception at the NHC. Please see the Reception page for details. Registration is through our online system.
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BJCP Election Results
The winners of the 2013 regional elections are Ali Kocho-Williams (Northeast), Al Boyce (North, incumbent), and Ryan Thomas (Mountain/Northwest). Full details are on the Election Center page.
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Exam Program Update
Well over 1000 online exams have been given since the program started in April 2012. The new format tasting exam continues to be well received, and passing rates are high. All legacy exams were closed last year. The new format exam has reduced the average grading time from about 150 days to about 100 days. While this is greatly improved, the turnaround time needs to be reduced to about 60 days before current exam quotas can be relaxed. The exam program is adding more staff, and looking at ways of speeding up the grading process. Performance metrics are being tracked, and the exam program is regularly reviewed. More graders are still needed; if you are a National-level or higher ranked judge, please consider helping us out. -
Reminders for New Judges and Organizers
With the new exam program being introduced this year, there has been an increase in questions from new judges and organizers. Following are answers to these common questions:
- Judges who pass the online exam are provisional judges but are not BJCP-ranked judges. They do not get assigned Judge IDs and may not yet request retroactive points.
- Provisional judges who judge in BJCP-sanctioned competitions should be treated by organizers as non-BJCP judges for reporting purposes. Report points by judge name.
- We scan for retroactive points when new judges take the initial tasting exam, and again when the exam results are posted. Do not request retroactive points before your exam results are received.
- Judge record updates are posted to the web site every four to six weeks. If you have received your exam results since the last time the web site was updated, do not ask about retroactive points. Wait for our normal processes to work. Check the main BJCP web page and look on the right side under "Check Your Record" to see when the last time the judge records were updated.
- If you are a judge who wants to claim retroactive points, first make sure your judge record is updated. Then make sure the organizer's report has been submitted for that competition. Check the Database Reports section of the web site for this information. When requesting points, provide the name, date and ID number of the competition in question.
- If you are an organizer who wants to change a previously-submitted organizer's report, simply email the changes to the IT Director. You cannot edit a report that has already been submitted. Just tell us what needs to be changed. Please provide the Competition ID. For changes to judge points, provide the Judge ID, the role performed, and the number of points to be awarded. Please be sure the points have been assigned in accordance with the competition point award schedule.
Following these simple procedures will allow the volunteer BJCP staff to focus their efforts on more productive work.
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Updated Exam Materials
Several of the exam materials have been updated, including the exam study guide. Additional Portuguese translations of exam materials have been posted as well.
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Competition Registration Changes
BJCP competition registration processing has been streamlined to address common requests and has been updated based on how most competitions are currently run. We now provide a complete list of all active BJCP judges sorted by country, state, and name, rather than custom lists. Sort the file appropriately and use only those judges you need, or import it into competition management software. No label files and sign-in forms are included; you can create your own using mailmerge or competition management software. Evaluation forms can be downloaded from the competition center, if required. Finally, the free entry certificate for the AHA NHC competition is no longer included at the AHA's request; apparently very few were being used, and the competition is already over-subscribed. With over 400 competitions a year now being held, these changes have reduced processing time by over half from older methods.
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NHC 2012 Presentation
The keynote presentation at the judge reception at the 2012 AHA NHC has been posted. Presented by Dr. Diego Libkind of Argentina, this presentation discusses how the cold-fermenting parent of modern lager yeast was discovered. Speaker notes are included.
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Portuguese and Spanish Exams
The online entrance exam questions are now available in Portuguese and Spanish for our fellow judges in Brazil, Argentina, and other countries, although the testing interface is only available in English or Spanish. Program materials continue to be translated by volunteers in South America. Our deepest appreciation goes out to all who helped (service points are being awarded, for those who are interested).
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New Exam Program Launched
The BJCP Board has unanimously approved the recommendation of the Exam Directors to implement a new beer exam program, effective April 1, 2012. No legacy exams will be given on or after this date. Please read the details carefully, as much has changed. Note: the mead exam remains unchanged.
BJCP exam and competition materials have been updated to reflect the new exam. Please download new copies if you are using old ones. The study guide has been updated, but the exams cover the same general topics as before.
Prospective judges must first pass the BJCP Beer Judge Entrance Exam, a new online exam with 200 True-False and Multiple Choice questions that must be answered in one hour. Passing this exam allows judges to sign up for the new BJCP Beer Judging Examination, a practical tasting exam with 6 exam beers judged in 90 minutes. The score on this exam will allow a judge to be ranked as Apprentice, Recognized, or Certified.
National judges and any judges who score 80 or higher on any tasting exam and have 10 judging experience points may register for the BJCP Beer Judge Written Proficiency Exam, which allows judges to advance to National and higher ranks. This new written exam will have 20 true-false questions and five essay questions that must be answered in 90 minutes. The new exams will be weighted 50/50 in determining an overall score for rank purposes.
New rules exist for current judges, so check the implementation guide carefully. Note that no current judges will have their ranks adjusted automatically, although current Apprentice judges have two years to become Recognized judges or have their judging status revoked.
Quotas on exams remain in effect until the current exam backlog is cleared. The Exam Directors will then reassess the quota system and make necessary adjustments.
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Embroidered Merchandise Unavailable
The embroidered merchandise online store seems to be unavailable. We will look for a new (and hopefully more reliable) store in the future.
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New Mobile App
Blackberry users: you now have a set of the style guidelines available on your device. Check out the Style Center for more details.
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Discounted Off Flavor Kits Available
Last January, the BJCP board approved making discounted off-flavor kits available to members. We are now ready to launch that program. Any active BJCP member holding the rank of Recognized or higher may purchase one off-flavor kit a year for the price of US$50 (shipping included). This is the same kit provided to organizers of exam preparation classes. Each kit can easily provide samples for 20-30 people, so they are best used in large groups. See the CEP Kits Page for more details on the contents.
To order a kit, use the our Kit Ordering web application. You must authenticate using the BJCP portal, and pay for the kit using PayPal. The ordering process is similar to that used for BJCP Name Badges. Orders will be consolidated monthly and submitted to Siebel for fulfillment. Please order at least two months in advance of when you need the kit. Kits have a finite shelf-life, so don't keep them around indefinitely.
This initiative is funded through our Continuing Education Program. Details may be changed in the future depending on available funds and demand. Please provide feedback to the BJCP Education Director or your Regional Representative.
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New Exam Policies Announced
The Exam Directors, with the concurrence of the BJCP Board of Directors, have changed the policy regarding examinations being returned to examinees. The new policy authorizes Exam Administrators to make copies of the exams to return to the examinees once it is confirmed that the originals have been received by the BJCP. This policy applies to new exams only (after August 15, 2010); older exams will not be returned. The BJCP will not make copies or return exams directly; it is the responsibility of the individual Exam Administrators. Expenses are covered by the increased funding alloted to administrators earlier this year.
The Exam Directors have also clarified the policy regarding exam proctors. Proctors must be active judges who are currently capable of producing National-level scoresheets. Exam administrators can find a list of eligible proctors online. If the Exam Administrator is unable to find at least two proctors meeting these requirements, he must contact the Exam Directors to get advance approval to use alternative proctors. Certified-ranked judges who have scored at the National level on the tasting portion of the exam are usually acceptable, but must be pre-approved.
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Exam Scheduling Policy Updated Again
Effective immediately, the Exam Directors have changed the policy for scheduling BJCP exams. Up to 8 exam sites may now be registered per month (an increase from 5) but the total number of examinees per site is now limited to 12 (down from 20). This is an attempt to speed up the grading process by reducing the size of exam sets. Sites may request a larger quota (up to 20 examinees) but these must be pre-approved by the exam directors; more than one large site per month are unlikely to be approved.
Registration lead-time for a 12 seat site remains at 4 months. A 20 seat site must be registered 6 months in advance. Larger sites may be approved for remote or unusual locations that may have limited resources for offering an exam. Contact the exam directors for details.
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Mobile Style Guidelines Available
Have you been judging lately? At a recent AHA NHC first round competition, nearly half the judges present were observed using mobile phones or devices with the BJCP guidelines. Thanks to the BJCP judges who have developed these useful applications and made them freely available to the BJCP community. If you judge with one of these guys, be sure to thank them in person.
Users of Apple iPhone and iPod Touch mobile devices, take note. The BJCP Styles application has been updated. The new version (1.5.1) adds full-screen iPad support, as well as some other enhancements. Search for "BJCP" in the App Store. Thanks to BJCP judge Josh Baran.
Users of mobile devices running the Google Android OS also have a style guidelines app available. Again, search for "BJCP" in the Android Market and download the "BJCPdroid" app. Thanks to BJCP judge Jason Donmoyer.
Users of the Amazon Kindle have an option as well. Download the guidelines, do a USB transfer to the Kindle, and put in the documents directory. It uses the free MobiPocket reader e-book format. Thanks to BJCP judge John Alexander.
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Commercial Calibration Scoresheets Available Online
The AHA has added a special members-only feature to their website. Complete archives of the "Commercial Calibration" column from Zymurgy are now online. Featuring Grand Master judges David Houseman, Beth Zangari, Scott Bickham, and Gordon Strong, the archives are searchable by brewery, style, or name. Note that you must be an AHA member to access the sheets, and that you must register on the AHA website and link your AHA ID to your online account. Not a member? Join now.
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BJCP Lowers Fees
The BJCP board voted unanimously to lower competition fees from $35 to $30. Exam fees remain the same, but exam administrators may now retain 30% of the exam fees for expenses (up from the current 20%). These moves have been made because of improved efficiencies in the program and a more favorable financial position.
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Mead Judge Program Launched
The Exam Directors have approved the formal introduction of the Mead Judge program, after the successful pilot exam and the completion of the initial release of the Mead Exam Study Guide. Additional mead-related resources can be found on the Mead Resources page. Mead Exams are run as part of the existing Exam Directorate, and subject to the same general exam scheduling rules and procedures.
Mead exams may now be registered; the first open slot is February 2010. The number of Mead Exams will be limited as the program ramps up and additional graders get trained. One mead exam per month may be scheduled from February 2010 through June 2010. Two mead exams per month can be scheduled from July 2010 through November 2010, when restrictions on scheduling will be lifted. Note that mead exams count towards the existing five exams per month limit.
Finally, note that mead exams and beer exam types cannot be mixed at a single site. An exam registration can be for one or the other exam type, but not both. Multiple exam types per site are discouraged due to the five slot per month limit.
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New Beer Flavor Kits Available for Order
The BJCP is happy to announce a partnership with the Siebel Institute to provide their new Sensory Training Kit to BJCP exam prep classes. The Sensory Training Kit is a commercial product containing 24 different flavor samples, and replaces the prior kit which contained 10 samples.
The new Siebel kit will be offered under the same terms as the previous kit: any CEP-registered exam prep class leading to a BJCP-registered exam can request a kit by contacting the Education Director. The kits are free, but shipping, duties, etc. involved in shipping outside the continental US will be charged at cost.
The Education Director has contacted exam administrators and prep class organizers that have already been registered. Prep classes for exams already held in 2009 are eligible for receiving a kit, but must request one. Any organizer who did not receive a kit or who did not receive an email, please contact the Education Director to request one.
Please check the CEP Kits page for full details.
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Former BJCP President and Treasurer Sentenced
Former BJCP President and Treasurer William R. Slack of Nashua, NH was sentenced on December 16, 2008 in U.S. District Court in Concord, NH. Mr. Slack admitted his guilt as part of a plea bargain. During his allocution, Mr. Slack admitted that he misappropriated BJCP funds steadily during this tenure as BJCP Treasurer. Mr. Slack was sentenced to (1) restitution of approximately $43K, (2) five years probation, and (3) incarceration of one week per month for twelve months.
For a quick update based on BJCP President Gordon Strong's notes, see this thread in the BJCP Forums. A full report will be forthcoming once all details are gathered. Expect it around the time the Annual Report is published.
Update: The court's formal sentencing order has been obtained (Dec 24, 2008). The trial was covered in detail in the local newspaper in Nashua, NH. (Dec 28, 2008).
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Color Guide Instructions Now Available Online
The Color Guide page describes our new BJCP Color Guide, a free resource for BJCP members. It serves as a resource for instruction on color guide use, as well as details on how to care for it, and how to acquire replacements. All active BJCP members were mailed a guide in late May (which also let us validate your mailing addresses). Anyone taking the BJCP Exam will get a Color Guide along with their results, as will anyone being promoted.
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New Style Guidelines Available
Well, not really new guidelines, but one of the problems experienced with such a comprehensive set of guidelines is the sheer length of them. When you need to download a copy for printing, the current guidelines comprise a hefty package.
So, in response to a number of requests, we have arranged for Cafepress to produce a printed and bound edition of the current style guidelines that you can order for delivery to your mailbox.
This is a nicely formatted (easier to read) book, wirebound to lay flat. It costs $8.30 plus shipping, and the BJCP makes exactly one penny per copy sold (just as an accounting device). Typical shipping cost in the US is $5.00 for one copy, but if a group goes together, the shipping cost per copy can go way down. For example, the typical shipping cost for 10 books is $10.60, or $1.06 per copy. Canadian and international shipping costs are higher, of course, but that information is all available on the ordering website.
To order the printed BJCP Style Guidelines, go to http://www.cafepress.com/bjcpstore.
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Frequently Asked Questions Updated
The list of Frequently Asked Questions has been expanded, to include questions specifically about our Style Guidelines.
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BJCP Style Guidelines Revised
The last (2004) revision of the style guidelines has been updated. This is not a major revision, and all the category and style names and numbers remain the same. Technically, this is the "2008 update to the 2004 guidelines" but will generally be known as the 2008 guidelines. The website navigation bar has been updated to point to the new version, and you can find a one-page PDF summary of the changes HERE.
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Former BJCP Treasurer Indicted For Fraud (May 2007)
As many members know, there has been an ongoing effort to deal with the failure of the former BJCP Treasurer, Mr. William R. Slack, of Nashua, New Hampshire, to turn over the funds in the treasury to the current Treasurer. Mr. Slack, also a former BJCP President, has not communicated with the current Board of Directors, and we have been pursuing a resolution of this matter since 2004.
For obvious reasons, the BJCP officers and legal committee are unable to comment publicly, but we feel the membership deserves to be kept informed as much as possible.Links in the following paragraphs will display the relevant documents.
We recently learned that a Federal Grand Jury has indicted Mr. Slack for fraud. This indictment was reported in the local newspaper in Nashua. Mr. Slack was served with a summons on April 30, 2007 for his initial appearance in U.S. District Court on May 17, 2007.
Mr. Slack appeared with his public defender at that hearing, and entered a plea of "not guilty" to the charge. He was released pending trial, subject to a number of conditions, and a trial date has been set for July 10, 2007.
The Department of Justice has issued a press release describing the case, including potential penalties. The case is also summarized in their Annual Report, page 66.
1st Update: Mr. Slack, through his public defender, requested a continuance (legalese for a delay in going to trial). On June 26, 2007, the court granted his request, and rescheduled his trial for October 10, 2007.
2nd Update: Mr. Slack, through his public defender, requested a second continuance which was also granted, which postpones his trial until at least February 5, 2008.
3rd Update: Mr. Slack, through his public defender, requested a third continuance which was also granted, which postpones his trial until at least June 3, 2008.
4th Update: Mr. Slack, through his public defender, requested a fourth continuance which was also granted, which postpones his trial until at least September 3, 2008.
5th Update: Mr. Slack, through his public defender, entered into a plea agreement on September 2, 2008. In the agreement, Mr. Slack agreed to plead guilty to his crime. Sentencing is scheduled for December 16, 2008 at 10:30am at the Federal Courthouse in Concord, NH.
6th Update: Mr. Slack was sentenced on December 16, 2008 to five years probation, incarceration of one week per month for twelve months, and restitution of approximately $43K. The sentencing order provides full details of the sentence imposed. The local newspaper in Nashua reported on the trial, and it was also mentioned in the Keene, NH paper. A full report is forthcoming.The BJCP is satisfied with this sentence and believes this matter is now closed.
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Earlier news items can be found on the News page, which also has a link to the Archives page containing even older items.
