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6 comments

1. § DJ @ Fermentarium said on : 09/03/08 @ 11:39
   
   It might be a good idea for others to publish bad score sheets as well. It might encourage judges to provide more feedback, especially if some judges get reputations. :)
2. § Lee Koehler said on : 09/03/08 @ 16:35
   
   I'd give that beer a 37 based on the comments. If I were you, I'd increase the boldness by about 13%.
   
   And to think, I wrote more words in my stupid joke than this judge did.
3. § TeacherPatti said on : 09/03/08 @ 20:26
   The flavor was bold, but the mouthfeel had to be bolder. I don't know why I find this confusing, but I do.
   
   This reminds me of when I ask students, "What did you think of (fill in the blank)?" and they said, "It was good." Grrr.....
4. § Michael Shannon said on : 09/04/08 @ 08:51
   This should never happen, but occasionally does. It looks like the judge checked the "apprentice" box, which technically means he took the BJCP exam and failed to get at least 60%. Also, there is no email address which is a major no-no. It's possible (likely) that this person has no judging experience whatsoever, and is not part of the BJCP as there is no BJCP number which he would have had he taken the exam.
   
   Publishing score sheets, as another commenter suggested, is certainly the right of any entrant, but it does little good.
   
   The correct way to handle this situation, and one I suggest you follow is:
   
   Email your regional BJCP representative. You'll find them listed here: http://www.bjcp.org/officers.php
   
   Copy Gordon Strong, president of the BJCP, as well as the competition organizer.
   
   Believe me, the BJCP does NOT advocate judging in this manner. Organizers are responsible for providing accurate and professional judging, and the great majority go out of their way to do this. Sometimes it doesn't happen though, and there needs to be professional follow-up to find out why and see to it that it doesn't happen again.
   
   Finally, study, take the exam and start judging! Most organizers have difficulty finding suitably qualified judges for competitions. If you feel that the quality of judging is lacking, get out there and do some yourself!
   
   Michael Shannon
   BJCP Certified Judge
   
5. § Mike Flaminio® said on : 09/04/08 @ 21:30
   Michael,
   
   Thanks for your comments. To clarify, technically an apprentice is also someone who just took the exam but hasn't received their score. I'm an apprentice right now as I took the exam in May. If I get 70, I already have enough points to be certified. Either way though, an apprentice should know better. Also, it took me a couple months to get my judge ID and I did judge post test and without an ID. Basically the BJCP time lines leave a lot of room for a lot of scenarios, and I think we simply have to take people at their word.
   
   I have discussed with the judging director and apparently he is well experienced in the beer scene. Not sure what the deal was. I assume the director will remember if he wants to judge again.
6. § joquiroz® said on : 09/08/08 @ 03:23
   That was poorly judged.
   
   Judge should have been a little more explicit with those explanations and if he was an apprentice, he should have been paired with someone who is a little better than he was.
   
   Now, let me put this counter argument for a second, and in no ways I'm trying to explain the bad score sheet you received.
   
   At some point between the first beer I crack open and the last sip of tasty beverage I try when I am judging, the feeling of desperation comes up...when am I going to finish doing this? Judging is something I enjoy doing at the beginning of the flight, and I almost hate by the end, it is then when my explanations suffer a bit and aren't as descriptive as the first ones were. That and sometimes we are rushed as they are about to announce the winners, we are running out of time, or simply I have gotten up quite often to pee.
   
   Hopefully, for the sake of people's ratings, this judging of your beer was a fluke (I understand it is not what you expected) and others will not suffer as you have.
   
   BTW, did you receive your scoring?

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