5 Dec
2003
5 Dec
'03
4:36 p.m.
The Minnesota Home Brewers Association will again be offering the Beer Judge
Certification Program classes this coming winter. If you are interested in
taking the course please send me an e-mail at cristj(a)bsci.com
<cristj(a)bsci.com> .
The class consists of 14 consecutive Thursdays, from 6-10pm starting January
8th. The BJCP exam is scheduled for Saturday April 17th. Each week we
discuss and learn about a specific technical brewing topic, as well as taste
and discuss specific beer styles, both commercial "classic" examples of the
style as well as homebrewed examples. Each week we will be judging at least
one beer, complete with scoresheets, to improve our judging and feedback
abilities. The proposed schedule is below. Locations for the classes will
rotate around the Twin Cities, hosted by several of the club members.
The winter class will run much the same as the fall classes:
1) class size will be limited to 12 to ensure we can fit in all the
host houses and for better class interaction
2) the cost for the class will be $50 for first timers and $30 for
people who have taken the BJCP exam before. The cost is to be paid by the
3rd class and is non-refundable. PLEASE UNDERSTAND what this money covers
and why we ask you to pay in advance:
a) this is the exam fee for the April BJCP exam - you won't have to
pay it again later.
b) if you pay your fee in advance (non-refundable)
you will be more committed to studying and taking the exam.
3) Drop-ins are welcome (as long as we have space available) - if
possible, please let me or the host know you will be coming. Please bring a
6-pack of the weekly style to share with the class. Homebrew is highly
encouraged.
The course schedule is organized much the same as the fall session, with the
technical topics somewhat in the order of a brew session and the styles,
where possible, from lighter to darker. Two of the early styles,
fruit/vege/spiced beers and ciders, are placed early because they are not on
the exam. Meads are also not on the exam but were scheduled to coincide with
an upcoming club only competition. The second Doctored Beer session will be
different from the first session in that the flavors will be at the
threshold level and the focus will be on how/what do you tell the brewer to
fix.
Each class will be broken down into 3 (or 4) parts:
30 mins: Judge a beer, score it, then discuss it.
45-60 mins: Technical Topic
15-30 mins: Quizzes - not every week, but be prepared!
60+ mins: Beer Styles - sample and discuss the weekly style of beer
This fall about 8 people are taking the class and scheduled to take the exam
in December. I'm sure everyone in the class would agree that not only did
they learn about beer judging, but they also became better brewers.
We always have a lot of fun! If you want to learn about beer and brewing -
come join us!
Jonathan
2004 MINNESOTA HOME BREWERS ASSOCIATION
BEER JUDGE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM CLASSES
WK DATE TOPIC
STYLE
1. 8 Jan Doctored Beer Seminar
Technical Topic: Flavors and Aromas
Researcher: Jonathan Crist
2 15 Jan Light Ale, Fruit, Spice, Herb, Vege Ale
3, 21, 22, 24
Technical Topic: Sanitation
3 22 Jan Cider
26
Technical Topic: Water
4 29 Jan Light Lagers
1, 2
Technical Topic: Malt - from the husk to the brewer
5 5 Feb Amber and Dark Lagers 9,
13, 14
Technical Topic: Mashing - from the brewer to beer
6 12 Feb Bitters and Pale Ales
4, 6, 7
Technical Topic: Hops
7 19 Feb Brown, Scottish, Strong Scotch Ale
5, 10, 11b
Technical Topic: Yeast
8 26 Feb German Ale, Wheat Beer, Rauch bier
8, 17, 23
Technical Topic: Adjuncts and Packaging
9 4 Mar Other Belgian Ales
19a-b, 20
Technical Topic: Troubleshooting
10 11 Mar Strong Belgian and French Ales 18,
19c-e
Technical Topic: Brewing Procedures - boil onward
11 18 Mar Meads
25
Technical Topic: Recipe Formulation
Club Only: Mead, due in April
12 25 Mar Stout and Porters
12c, 15, 16
Technical Topic: BJCP Knowledge
13 1 Apr Barleywines and Old Ales
11a, 12a-b
Technical Topic: Doctored Beer II
14 8 Apr or Study Session: Q & A
15 Apr
15 17 Apr BJCP EXAM !!!