Subject: Digest for the period 8/17/2007 - 8/18/2007 Date: Sat, 18 Aug 2007 01:04:35 -0400 Table of contents ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. if the counter fits... (mcsage`at`att.net) 2. Who you calling "pretty"? (mcsage`at`att.net) 3. Digest catharsis (Houseman, David L) 4. real again (Oobyjooby`at`cs.com) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: mcsage`at`att.net Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2007 12:54:02 +0000 Subject: if the counter fits... Dwight, If it has a screw cap, it might be a counterfeit If it comes in a can, it's almost surely a counterfeit If it's colorless (like water) or looks dyed (like a 'wine cooler') it's definitely a counterfeit. (apologies to Jeff Foxworthy) Hope that helps - any one else have ideas ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: mcsage`at`att.net Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2007 13:03:50 +0000 Subject: Who you calling "pretty"? John Tobey writes "It's a pretty stodgy group." Hey, you say that like it's a bad thing! I do agree, however, that the exclusion of the synthetics (beer and otherwise) is elitist. Like the wacky uncle one invites to holidays just to reassure yourself that YOU are OK, we NEED the macros so that when we brew a crappy batch, we can look at what the NASBEER fans are swilling and think 'well, at least I don't drink THAT'... ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Houseman, David L Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2007 07:22:07 -0400 Subject: Digest catharsis Jon Tobey noted "we seem to use this list for catharsis, but it never really results in change." That's because this digest is not an official BJCP communications or management tool. While most, if not all, of the BJCP officers and directors do monitor JudgeNet, it is not a BJCP activity. The BJCP uses its web site to communicate to its members. And the people who seem to think that the term "real beer" is a major problem need to contact your regional representative if you want this to be bumped up in priority. Remember that all the office and director positions are volunteers and that we have a number of projects to take up our time (flavor training kits, new color guide, our legal matters, new mead and cider certification programs, exam updates) plus most, if not all of us, are graders of exams. So where would this fall in priorities? IMHO, not very high. But it can go onto the to-do list if it's really worth pursuing. If you think it's that important, and not just Summer chatter during a slow competition season, contact your regional representative directly. David Houseman Competition Director ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Oobyjooby`at`cs.com Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2007 19:49:40 EDT Subject: real again Real editor? OK, tell me if this is a real quote or not? >>Or did Tom create the confusion.... Seriously, it's dumb, it's confusing, it only covers part of what we do, and=20 I haven't heard one argument for it. Why can't we remove it and replace it with "beer and mead." << OK, from CAMRA: "In the early 1970s CAMRA coined the term ā=80˜real aleā=80™ to make it easy for people to differentiate between the bland processed beers being pushed by the big brewers and the traditional beers whose very existence was under threat. " After all these years why is there confusion? Judges still cannot differentiate between the "bland processed beer...pushed by the big brewers" and "traditional beers?" More CAMRA explanation: "Real ale is a natural product brewed using traditional ingredients and lef t to mature in the cask (container) from which it is served in the pub through=20 a process called secondary fermentation. " This is still pretty clear, 2nd fermentation in the serving vessel (cask,20serving-tank, bottle). I am sure by specifying "served in the pub" they did = not mean to exclude ales served at your home bar. Or maybe they did; that it can_only_be a real ale if served in a pub? Maybe we better get them to clarify because reading that it sounds like "real" ale can only be served in a "real" pub!!!! OK, absurd enough? Real=traditional ingredients & methods.20 20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ***** Important Subscriber Information ***** To post a message to JudgeNet, send it to judge`at`synchro.com. Send plain text only, no HTML, MIME, encoded text or attachments. Make sure you use a meaningful subject. Quote only as much material as is needed for context. To manage your subscription, go to http://synchro.com/judge/subscriptions.html or send an email to judge-request`at`synchro.com with the subject: help judge. JudgeNet is also available as an NNTP newsgroup, go to news://news.synchro.com/synchro.judge