From synchro!judge-owner at uu6.psi.com Fri Apr 21 04:19:22 1995 Status: O X-VM-v5-Data: ([nil t nil nil nil nil nil nil nil] ["10335" "" "21" "April" "1995" "02:17:42" "EST" "JudgeNet Administrator" "judge-owner at synchro.com" nil "242" "JudgeNet Digest #1026 (Apr 21, 1995)" "^Date:" nil nil "4" nil nil nil nil] nil) Received: by judgmentday.rs.itd.umich.edu (8.6.12/2.2) with X.500 id EAA17543; Fri, 21 Apr 1995 04:19:20 -0400 Received: from goodman.itn.med.umich.edu by judgmentday.rs.itd.umich.edu (8.6.12/2.2) with SMTP id EAA17538; Fri, 21 Apr 1995 04:19:19 -0400 Received: from uu6.psi.com by goodman.itn.med.umich.edu with SMTP id AA26274 (5.65b/IDA-1.4.3 for spencer at umich.edu); Fri, 21 Apr 95 04:19:17 -0400 Received: from synchro.UUCP by uu6.psi.com (5.65b/4.0.071791-PSI/PSINet) via UUCP; id AA08081 for ; Fri, 21 Apr 95 03:49:59 -0400 Received: by synchro.com (smail2.5) id AA04142; 21 Apr 95 02:17:42 EST (Fri) Reply-To: judge at synchro.com (JudgeNet) Errors-To: judge-error at synchro.com Precedence: bulk Message-Id: <9504210217.AA04142 at synchro.com> Date: 21 Apr 95 02:17:42 EST (Fri) From: judge-owner at synchro.com (JudgeNet Administrator) To: judge-recipients at synchro.com (JudgeNet Recipients) Subject: JudgeNet Digest #1026 (Apr 21, 1995) JudgeNet Digest #1026 Fri 21 Apr 1995 JudgeNet The Beer Judge Digest digest submissions: judge at synchro.com administrative requests: judge-request at synchro.com send cancellations & rank updates to the administrative address messages sent to the wrong address will be ignored FTP Archives: guraldi.hgp.med.umich.edu in /pub/judge WWW Archives: http://guraldi.hgp.med.umich.edu/Beer/Judge Gopher Archives: guraldi.hgp.med.umich.edu Editor: Chuck Cox Archivist: Spencer Thomas Publishers: SynchroSystems and the Riverside Garage & Brewery Anti-Prohibitionists may also be interested in LiBeerty: The Libertarian Beer Digest Subscription info: libeerty-request at synchro.com Contents: Some Points about Points (WALZENBREW) BUZZ-OFF AHA Competition ("Houseman, David L [TR]") ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 20 Apr 1995 13:03:32 -0400 From: WALZENBREW at aol.com Subject: Some Points about Points Some points about points: Yes, as has been suggested, getting points if you live in Western PA has until recently been somewhat difficult for us. I took the exam in 1989 and got a pretty good score, but it took me two years to get the five points I needed to progress into the Certified category. Until we started having competitions of our own five years ago, traveling was the only way to judge competitions and get points. Another item: the Pittsburgh area went through a severe economic depression in the 1980's. Many persons still don't have the financial resources to take off for a weekend to judge a competition. This is reflected in our extremely low cost of living and still rather high unemployment rate. In fact, Pittsburghers as a whole travel a lot less than persons from other parts of the country, especially those who live in the mega-cities on the Coasts. As a result, we may have a different attitude towards the value of points than some. In my case, in 1991 I got a job that required constant travel to the East Coast. As a result, it's now been relatively easy for me to judge competitions. But in the back of my mind I still view the attached points as precious verification of experience. On the Coasts you can usually find 8 to 12 or more competitions over the course of a year within a few hours drive; this is not the case in the Midwest. Despite what some have said, I see nothing wrong with accumulating status in the program. It all depends on how you use your status. Your attitude. I'm reminded of my favorite college engineering professor, who had over a dozen patents and knew a lot more about engineering than anyone else in the department (including the head), but never projected this in his attitude or teaching. On the contrary, he loved teaching and helping out persons wishing to learn, and always encouraged students, never saying that a question was ridiculous, etc. If you have a higher status in the program I feel you have an obligation to help out apprentice judges and those less experienced. By help I don't mean trying to shove your opinions about a beer down somebody's throat; leave your ego at the door. If you have experience you can help people understand how to perceive off flavors, what the style guidelines are, how to fill out the sheets, etc. Novice and apprentice judges tend to expect guidance from more experienced judges. It's up to you to give some real help, not play ego games. This becomes part of your "job description" as you advance in the program - and it entails a degree of responsibility and maturity. Also, I feel it's important that if you have a judge of higher status at the table, you judge in silence until everyone has a number, and then and only then discuss the beer. This tends to prevent the unconscious imitation factor that so often happens. I agree that rationalizing score sheet numbers is not desirable. But most times this is the organizer's call - if you refuse to do it at the table he may well do it later. At TRASH V, which I'm organizing, we're going to stick with straight averages so the judges don't have to change their scores to get within seven or six as is sometimes done (unless the table wants to). Finally, there's the issue of persons who've maxed out on their status in the program on test scores, but have points enough to progress into higher levels. This kind of experience should be acknowledged. Maybe the program could be modified to reflect "degrees" of each level. For example, a Certified judge with a test score between 70 and 80 and 22 points would be a Certified of the second degree; with over 40 points a third degree Certified, etc. A system like this would better recognize those judges with experience. Judging is WORK, yes. So is brewing. But who says that work can't be fun too? Prosit! Greg Walz Pittsburgh PA WALZENBREW at aol.com ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 20 Apr 95 22:21:00 EDT From: "Houseman, David L [TR]" Subject: BUZZ-OFF AHA Competition American Homebrewers Association Sanctioned Competition Beer Unlimited Zany Zymurgists Present The Second Annual BUZZ-OFF Sunday, June 25, 1995, 10:00 AM Valley Forge Brewing Co. Resturant and Pub Gateway Shopping Center, Rt 202, Devon, PA Location/Sponsors This year s competition will be sponsored by Beer Unlimited, BUZZ and the Valley Forge Brewing Co. Resturant and Pub. The event will be open to the public. The awards ceremony will follow the competition. Eligibility The 1995 Buzz-Off Homebrew Competition is open to all non-commercial home produced beers. Enter as often as you wish. Enter as many categories as you wish. Categories The 1995 BUZZ-Off will judge beer, mead, and cider styles recognized by the American Homebrewers Association. AHA categories and subcategories will be used (see enclosed category list). All entries must indicate category, subcategory, and style description. Sake will be enjoyed, but not judged. All entries will be judged according to the style entered. Categories receiving fewer than five (5) entries may be combined with a related category for the presentation of awards. Awards and Prizes Certificates of achievement, first, second and third place ribbons will be awarded in each category or combined category as well as for the BEST of SHOW. BUZZ will secure commercial sponsorship for category winners. A total of up to $1000 in gift certificates will we awarded. All questions and disputes will be settled by the competition organizer. All decisions will be final. Entries An entry consists of two (2) bottles, accompanied by a completed entry/recipe form -- one for each entry. A bottle ID form must be attached to each bottle with rubber bands -- No glue or tape. Beers must be in clean 10-16 ounce glass bottles, free of labels, raised glass, silk screen, or other identifying markings. Any markings on the cap must be completely blacked out. No swing-top bottles. All entries become the property of BUZZ. No bottles will be returned. Entry Fees & Deadlines Entry fees are $5.00 per entry. Make check payable to Beer Unlimited. Entries must arrive between June 7 and June 21, 1995. Entries will not be accepted before June 7 or after June 21, 1995. Send entries to: BUZZ- Off c/o Beer Unlimited Rts 30 & 401 Malvern, PA 19355 Local entries may be dropped off between June 7 and June 17, 1995 at any of the Philadelphia Area homebrewing stores. Packing and Shipping Pack in a sturdy box. Pad each bottle and the inside of the box. Line box with heavy trash bag and twist-tie securely. Pack entry forms, recipe forms, and fees outside the bag. Mark the box Fragile. UPS is recommended for shipping. Beer Label Contest Beer labels will be judged for artistic merit and appropriateness to the style for the label entry. Entry fee is $2.00. Each label must be accompanied by an entry form. In order to show off your labels in their natural environment, submit entries attached to an empty, capped beer bottle. First, second and third place ribbons will be awarded. Delaware Valley Homebrewer of The Year The BUZZ-Off is the final jewel in the local homebrewing crown: The 1995 Delaware Valley Homebrewer of the Year will be chosen based on points awarded from the Hops-Bops, Dock Street, Moon Madness and BUZZ-Off Competitions. Judges We will secure the most experienced, qualified judges possible. We are soliciting qualified judges and stewards from all participating homebrew clubs. Judges and stewards will be awarded experience points toward the Beer Judge Certification Program, which is jointly sponsored by the AHA and HWBTA. Prospective judges and stewards are requested to fill out the attached form. You will be contacted individually to confirm participation and given directions to the contest. Since this year we are holding this event at a new Brew Pub in our area, there is even more reason to come and spend the day out of the hot sun. The competition will begin at 10:00am. Stewards should be present by 9:00am; judges by 9:30am for their assignments. Bed and Brew Judges and stewards from out of the area are welcome to participate in the Bed and Brew program. BUZZ club members are opening their homes for those traveling from some distance who would like to have a place to stay for Saturday June 24th and Sunday June 25th. Please indicate your desire to have a place to stay on the Judge/Steward Registration Form and you will be contacted several weeks prior to the contest. For further information contact: Beer Unlimited (610) 889-0905 or Dave Houseman H: (610) 458-0743 (Jim McHale) (610) 397-0666 Competition Organizer W:(610) 648-4071 dlh1 at trpo3.tredydev.unisys.com ------------------------------ End of JudgeNet Digest ************************