The ’06 exam study group

We will shoot for an exam in Charlotte in the summer of ’06. This will allow ample opportunity to steward at the ’05 US Open (our club homebrew competition held here in Charlotte) and then possibly judge as a novice in the “06 US Open. It will also give you time to collect and read the necessary books and attend some all-grain brewing sessions (or brew some yourself). We will meet the third Wednesday of every month (December being an exception). Our initial meeting will be February 16th.

Resources:

What it takes to become a Beer Judge

Style Guideline in comparative format

Recommended Reading

Ancient - modern history

Session Beers

 

Homework prior to 1st meeting:

1) study the BJCP membership guide at http://WWW.BJCP.ORG/membergd.html. Place emphasis on studying the following: Rank, Promotions, Experience points, Experience point award schedule (including the table), Definitions and the BJCP Exam.
2) Study the 1. Light lager and 2. Pilsner categories (CBSS #2 Continental Pilsener by David Miller and CBSS #17 Bavarian Helles by Horst D. Dornbusch if you have these).

Syllabus for 2005/2006
 
 

Session 1: February 16th

Introduction to the study group (explanation of focus, goals, resources)

Intro to BJCP (exam, rank progression, score sheets, etc.)

Evaluate 1. Light Lagers & 2. Pilsner

Experience 2 off flavors - Light struck and Oxidized/Stale

Homework prior to 2nd  meeting: 
1) Read over basic ingredients in your homebrewing book.

2) Read over 3. European Amber Lager & 4. Dark Lager (CBSS #2 Continental Pilsener by David Miller and CBSS #4 Oktoberfest, Vienna, Marzen by George Fix, Laurie Fix)

Session 2: March 16th

Discussion of ingredients: malt, hops, water, yeast, adjuncts

Evaluate 3. European Amber lager & 4. Dark Lager

Judge 1 beer w/ instructor

Experience 2 off flavors - Acetaldehyde and DMS

Quiz Topics: BJCP

Homework prior to 3rd  meeting: 
1) Read over process of brewing.

2) Read over 5. Bock (CBSS #9 Bock by Darryl Richman)

Session 3: April 13th

Discussion of Process of brewing

Evaluate 5. Bock

Judge 1 beer w/ instructor

Experience 2 off flavors - Alcoholic and Solvent

Quiz Topics: Basic Ingredients

Homework prior to 4th  meeting: 
1) Review BJCP Requirements.

2) Read over 6. Light Hybrid Beer & 7. Amber Hybrid Beer (CBSS #16 Pale Ale by Terry Foster, CBSS #13 Kolsch by Eric Warner and CBSS #12 Altbier by Horst D. Dornbusch)

Session 4May 18th

Discuss/review BJCP reqirements

Evaluate 6. Light Hybrid Beer & 7. Amber Hybrid Beer

Judge 1 beer w/ instructor

Experience 2 off flavors - Metallic and Sulfury

Quiz Topics: Terms

Homework prior to 5th  meeting: 
1) Read over hops.

2) Read over 8. English Pale Ale & 9. Scottish & Irish Ale (CBSS #8 Scotch Ale by Gregory J. Noonan, CBSS #15 Mild Ale by David Sutula, David Suhila, CBSS #16 Pale Ale by Terry Foster)

Session 5: June 8th

Discssion of malting

Evaluate 8. English Pale Ale & 9. Scottish & Irish Ale

Judge 1 beer 

Experience 2 off flavors - Diacetyl and Estery

Quiz Topics: TBD

Homework prior to 6th  meeting: 
1) Read up on Hops 

2) Read over 10. American Ale & 14. India Pale Ale (CBSS#16 Pale Ale by Terry Foster)

 

Session 6: July 20th

Discssion of Hops

Evaluate 10. American Ale & 14. India Pale Ale

Judge 1 beer 

Experience 2 off flavors - Astringent and Vegetal

Quiz Topics: Malt

Homework prior to 7th  meeting: 
1) Read up on Yeast 

2) Read over 11. English Brown Ale & 12. Porter (CBSS #5 Porter by Terry Foster, CBSS #14 Brown Ale by Ray Daniels, Jim Parker and CBSS #15 Mild Ale by David Sutula, David Suhila)

Session 7: August 17th

Discssion of Yeast

Evaluate 11. English Brown Ale & 12. Porter

Judge 1 beer 

Experience 2 off flavors - Phenolic and Sour/Acidic

Quiz Topics: Hops

Homework prior to 8th  meeting: 
1) Read up on Water

2) Read over 13. Stout (CBSS #10 Stout by Michael J. Lewis)

Session 8: September 21st

Discssion of Water

Evaluate 13. Stout

Judge 2 beers

Experience 2 off flavors - Astrigent and Metallic

Quiz Topics: Yeast

Homework prior to 9th  meeting: 
1) Read up on Decoction

2) Read over 15. German Wheat & Rye Beer and 22. Smoke-flavored & Wood-aged Beer.

Session 9: October 19th

Discssion of Decoction

Evaluate 15. German Wheat & Rye Beer and 19. Strong Ale

Judge 2 beers

Experience 2 off flavors - Estery and Phenolic

Quiz Topics: Water

Homework prior to 10th  meeting:
1) Read up on Lambics

2) Read over 16. Belgian & French Ale and 17. Sour Ale (CBSS #3 Lambic by Jean-Xavier Guinard and CBSS #6 Belgian Ale by Pierre Rajotte)

Session 10: November 16th

Discssion of Lambics

Evaluate 16. Belgian & French Ale and 17. Sour Ale

Judge 2 beers

Experience 2 off flavors - Acetaldehyde and Sour/Acidic

Quiz Topics: Decoction

Homework prior to 11th  meeting: 
1) Read up on Adjuncts

2) Read over 18. Belgian Strong Ale (CBSS #6 Belgian Ale by Pierre Rajotte)

Session 11: December 14th, 2005

Discssion of Adjuncts

Evaluate 18. Belgian Strong Ale

Judge 2 beers 

Experience 2 off flavors - Solvent and Sulfury

Quiz Topics: Lambics

Homework prior to 12th  meeting: 
1) Read up on Sanitation

2) Read over 19. Strong Ale (CBSS #11 Barleywine by Fal Allen, Dick Cantwell)

Session 12: January 18th, 2006

Final Review

Evaluate 19. Strong Ale

Judge 2 beers 

Experience 2 off flavors - Alcoholic and Oxidized/Stale

Quiz Topics: Adjuncts

Homework prior to 13th  meeting: 
1) Review BJCP (Exp. points, Comp. points, Rank & Promotions)

2) Read over 20. Fruit Beer and 21. Spice/Herb/Vegetable Beer 23. Specialty Beer