Beer Judge Certification Program: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Non-profit organization}}

{{Redirect|BJCP|the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology|British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology}}

{{Multiple issues|primarysources=August 2009|self-published=February 2010}}

{{Primary sources|date=August 2009}}

The '''Beer Judge Certification Program''' or '''BJCP''' is a [[non-profit]]<ref name="bjcp.org">http://www.bjcp.org/docs/indictment.pdf</ref> organization formed in 1985 "to promote beer literacy and the appreciation of real beer, and to recognize [[beer tasting]] and evaluation skills." It has been described in the press as a "hands-on ... study program designed to teach aspiring beer enthusiasts about the essence of any kind of beer".<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.anchoragepress.com/archives/document4ee7.html | title=Enhance Your Beer Smarts: The rigorous training of a beer judge (as archived by www.webarchive.org on Feb 18, 2005) | author=Roberts, Jim | publisher=[[Anchorage Press]] | date=August 28 – September 3, 1997 | accessdate=2008-03-12 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20050218045319/http://www.anchoragepress.com/archives/document4ee7.html |archivedate = 2005-02-18}}</ref> The BJCP certifies<ref name="Wolfe, Andrew 10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no&p_text_search-0=slack%20bjcp&s_dispstring=All">{{cite news| url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=NTGB&p_theme=ntgb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&xcal_numdocs=20&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no&p_text_search-0=slack%20bjcp&s_dispstring=All | title=Man says he stole from beer judges | author=Wolfe, Andrew | publisher=[[Nashua Telegraph]] | date=December 27, 2008 | accessdate=2010-02-16}}</ref> and ranks beer judges through an examination and monitoring process.<ref name="Mullen, Katherine">{{cite news| url=http://www.gazette.net/stories/09112008/frednew173704_32471.shtml | title=Trained judges determine best home brews at fair | author=Mullen, Katherine | publisher=Gazette.net | date=September 11, 2008 | accessdate=2009-11-18}}</ref> Membership is limited to beer judges who have taken the BJCP exam.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.athensnews.com/component/content/article/1-local-news/22296-brew-week-preparations-include-sudsy-training-beer | title=Brew Week preparations include sudsy training for beer judges | author=Athens News Staff | publisher=The Athens News | date=May 11, 2008 | accessdate=2009-11-18}}</ref>

{{Self-published|date=February 2010}}}}

The '''Beer Judge Certification Program''' or ('''BJCP''') is a [[non-profit]]<ref name="bjcp.org">http://www.bjcp.org/docs/indictment.pdf</ref> organization formed in 1985 "to promote beer literacy and the appreciation of real beer, and to recognize [[beer tasting]] and evaluation skills." It has been described in the press as a "hands-on ... study program designed to teach aspiring beer enthusiasts about the essence of any kind of beer".<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.anchoragepress.com/archives/document4ee7.html | title=Enhance Your Beer Smarts: The rigorous training of a beer judge (as archived by www.webarchive.org on Feb 18, 2005) | author=Roberts, Jim | publisher=[[Anchorage Press]] | date=August 28 – September 3, 1997 | accessdate=2008-03-12 |archiveurl = httphttps://web.archive.org/web/20050218045319/http://www.anchoragepress.com/archives/document4ee7.html |archivedate = 2005-02-18}}</ref> The BJCP certifies and ranks beer judges through an examination and monitoring process.<ref name="Wolfe, Andrew 10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no&p_text_search-0=slack%20bjcp&s_dispstring=All">{{cite news| url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=NTGB&p_theme=ntgb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&xcal_numdocs=20&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no&p_text_search-0=slack%20bjcp&s_dispstring=All | title=Man says he stole from beer judges | author=Wolfe, Andrew | publisher=[[Nashua Telegraph]] | date=December 27, 2008 | accessdate=2010-02-16}}</ref> and ranks beer judges through an examination and monitoring process.<ref name="Mullen, Katherine">{{cite news | url=http://www.gazette.net/stories/09112008/frednew173704_32471.shtml | title=Trained judges determine best home brews at fair | author=Mullen, Katherine | publisher=Gazette.net | date=September 11, 2008 | accessdate=2009-11-18}}</ref> Membership| isarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080915050541/http://www.gazette.net/stories/09112008/frednew173704_32471.shtml limited| toarchive-date=September beer15, judges2008 who| have takenurl-status=dead the BJCP exam.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.athensnews.com/component/content/article/1-local-news/22296-brew-week-preparations-include-sudsy-training-beer | archive-url=https://archive.today/20120722205838/http://www.athensnews.com/component/content/article/1-local-news/22296-brew-week-preparations-include-sudsy-training-beer | url-status=dead | archive-date=July 22, 2012 | title=Brew Week preparations include sudsy training for beer judges | author=Athens News Staff | publisher=The Athens News | date=May 11, 2008 | accessdate=2009-11-18 }}</ref>

==Purpose==

The BJCP has three functions within the [[Beer in the United States|USworld-wide beer community]]. First, it provides a standards-based organization supplying qualified judges to both amateur and commercial brewing competitions designed to promote the appreciation of [[beer style]]s and their accurate production by brewers. The BJCP tracks members' participation as judges, organizers, or stewards in BJCP-sanctioned brewing competitions and awards [[continuing education|continuing education units]] for participation.

The BJCP also publishes style guidelines categorizing [[beer]], [[mead]], [[cider]], and [[perrycider]] into twenty-eight style categoriesstyles. These guidelines are used in both the examination of Beer Judges and Mead Judges by the BJCP and, voluntarily, by brewing competition organizers; the BJCP also encourages prospective test-takers to study the available literature on styles and brewing. The most recent revision of theNew style guidelines waswere publishedreleased in FebruaryMay 2008,2015. aAs relativelywell minoras revisionbetter toaddressing theworld 2004styles, style guidelines.<refthe name="BJCPFAQ">[httphttps://www.bjcp.org/bjcpfaq.phpbjcp-style-guidelines/ FrequentlyBJCP AskedStyle QuestionsGuidelines] Aboutcomprise Thethree BJCP]</ref>separate documents for beer, mead, and cider styles, allowing them to be updated on different schedules.

Finally, the BJCP organizes a program of beer examinations<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.villanovan.com/professor-by-day-brewmaster-by-night-1.1089809 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120226092139/http://www.villanovan.com/professor-by-day-brewmaster-by-night-1.1089809 | url-status=dead | archive-date=February 26, 2012 | title=Professor by day . . . brewmaster by night | author=John Pickhaver | publisher=The Villanovan | date=January 27, 2010 | accessdate=2010-02-14 }}</ref> wherein test-takers complete a series of written questions regarding [[brewing]], [[beer style]]s and judging and then perform foursix beer judging exercises.

==Organization==

Judges are ranked within the certification program based upon a combination their score on a standardized certification test and experience points received for participating in sanctioned competition program events, in BJCP exams, or continuing education program events.<ref name="Mullen, Katherine"/> The ranks include Apprentice, Recognized, Certified, National, Master, Grand Master (with incremental levels, for example Grand Master I, Grand Master II, etc.), and Honorary Grand Master.<ref name="bjcpmembershipguide">{{cite web | url = http://www.bjcp.org/membergd.php | accessdate = September 25, 2009 | title = BJCP Membership Guide | publisher = Beer Judge Certification Program}}</ref> The BJCP also certifies judges in [[mead]], and a similar [[cider]] certification is currently under development.

==Influence==

Its standards for beers have been cited by the Wall Street Journal<ref>Wells, Ken, "Weekend Journal; Eating & Drinking: The Pursuit of Hoppiness; Seeking the Bitterest of Beer, We Try India Pale Ale; Why Bigger Brew Is In," Wall Street Journal. (Eastern edition). New York, N.Y.: August 13, 2004. pg. W.6</ref> and by ''[[Zymurgy (magazine)|Zymurgy]]'', the journal for members of homethe beerAmerican Homebrewers brewingAssociation,<ref>"Irish red ale." Anonymous. Zymurgy. Boulder: January/February 2005.Vol.28, Iss. 1; pg. 13</ref><ref>Strong, Gordon, "So you want to be a beer judge." Zymurgy. Boulder: July/August 2004.Vol.27, Iss. 4; pg. 44</ref><ref>Glass, Gary, "Club finds better brew through judging." Zymurgy. Boulder: November/December 2002.Vol.25, Iss. 6; pg. 11</ref><ref>Wolfe, Edward W. and Leith, Thomas R. "Calibrating judges as remote locations: The palate calibration project," Zymurgy. Boulder: November/December 2000.Vol.23, Iss. 6; pg. 39</ref> among others.<ref>{{cite news| title=Muskoka Cottage Brewery launches Mixer 5 Pack, new Pilsner | author=Talbot, Chris | publisher=Examiner.com | date=April 28, 2010 | accessdate=2010-05-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-samuel-adamsr-longshotr-variety-six-pack-hits-shelves-nationwide-featuring-winning-brews-from-2009-american-homebrew-contestr-90210622.html | title=New Samuel Adams LongShot Variety Six-Pack Hits Shelves Nationwide Featuring Winning Brews From 2009 American Homebrew Contest | publisher=PRNewswire | date=April 8, 2010 | accessdate=2010-05-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/92485169.html | title=This contest beckons brewers who walk on the wild side | author=Sixpack, Joe | publisher=Philly.com | date=April 30, 2010 | accessdate=2010-05-02}} {{Dead link|date=November 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> Its judges are regularly invited to judge the most prestigious competitions in the world, to include the National Homebrew Competition, [[Great American Beer Festival]], and [[World Beer Cup]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Oxford Companion to Beer Definition of The Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) |url=http://beerandbrewing.com/dictionary/LvEp1QOyun/ |access-date=2025-07-27 |website=Craft Beer & Brewing |language=en}}</ref> in the United States.

==History==

{{Self-published|date=February 2010|section}}

The BJCP was founded in 1985, when the first exam was given at the [[American Homebrewers Association]] (AHA) annual conference in [[Estes Park]], [[Colorado]]. During its formative years, the program was jointly sponsored by the AHA and the [[Home Wine and Beer Trade Association]] (HWBTA). Both organizations sanctioned local homebrew competitions, and each had a national competition. Consequently, both were interested in fostering the improvement of judging skills and building up a pool of experienced beer judges. The program was administered at the AHA offices, and there were two Co-Directors, one from each association. Jim Homer was the AHA Co-Director, and Pat Baker served the same role for the HWBTA.<ref>[http{{Cite web|url=https://www.bjcp.org/origins.php The |title=BJCP's Birth Revisited]Origins|website=Bjcp.org|access-date=2019-07-30|archive-date=2021-06-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610045414/https://www.bjcp.org/origins.php|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In August 1995, after a successful ten -year history, support was withdrawn by the AHA, which had intentions of starting its own beer judging program. The HWBTA was unable to continue operating the program by itself, so the BJCP was expected to simply fade away. However, a considerable number of judges had been built up by this time, and many of them were quite active. A small number of these activists decided that the program could be operated solely by volunteers from among themselves, and decided to attempt the continuation of the BJCP as an independent entity.

The effort was coordinated in a haphazard fashion, mainly through [[e-mail]], but a consensus gradually emerged and the program was able to continue its growth. A Boardboard of Directorsdirectors was established to guide the program, composed of six (currently seventen<ref>{{Cite web|title=BJCP Board Approves New International Regions – Beer Judge Certification Program|url=https://dev.bjcp.org/news/bjcp-board-approves-new-international-regions/|access-date=2020-07-06|website=dev.bjcp.org}}</ref>) Regional Representatives elected by members from each of seven geographical regions throughout [[North America]]. The U.S. was divided into geographic regions, and an election for the Boardboard of Directorsdirectors was held by mailing ballots to members.<ref>[http://www.bjcp.org/reorg.php Beer Judge Certification Program Reorganizes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121102450/http://www.bjcp.org/reorg.php |date=2021-01-21 }} (originally appeared in ''Brewing Techniques'', Vol. 3, No. 3, May/June 1995)</ref>

Assisting the Boardboard was program administrator Russ Wigglesworth, who remained in his post and assumed the duties of maintaining the database of members, sending program materials to competition organizers, providing certificates and pins to new and newly promoted judges, and performing other essential administrative tasks. Wigglesworth remains in his position, but began to transfer his duties to other members in 2004 and {{As of|2006|lc=on}} this transfer is nearly complete.

In the early years, there were regional elections for the Board, conducted entirely by postal ballot, and a newsletter was published for several years to inform the membership. An annual letter was also sent by the Program Administrator to each member, listing the experience points earned from judging in various competitions. These activities are now done electronically, with the BJCP website serving as the repository of information including a password-protected section where members can check their personal record, and website voting, competition registration, and point reporting.

In 2007, former BJCP Treasurer William R. Slack was indicted for mail fraud in the District Court of the District of New Hampshire.<ref name="bjcp.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.bjcp.org/docs/indictment.pdf|format=PDF|title=INDICTMENT (18 U.S.C. § 1341; mail fraud)|website=Bjcp.org|accessdate=30 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bjcp.org/docs/AH_Slack.pdf|format=PDF|title=NASHUA MAN INDICTED IN FRAUD SCHEME|website=Njcp.org|accessdate=30 July 2019}}</ref> Slack later entered a plea agreement. Mr. Slack admitted that he misappropriated BJCP funds steadily during his tenure as BJCP Treasurer.<ref name="Wolfe, Andrew 10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no&p_text_search-0=slack%20bjcp&s_dispstring=All"/> Mr. Slack was sentenced to (1) restitution of approximately $43K, (2) five years probation, and (3) incarceration of one week per month for twelve months.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bjcp.org/docs/Slack_Judgment.PDF|format=PDF|title=JUDGMENT IN A CRIMINAL CASE|website=Njcp.org|accessdate=30 July 2019}}</ref>

==See also==

{{Portal|Beer}}

*[[Beer sommelier]]

*[[Beer style]]

== References ==

{{Reflist|2}}

== External links ==

* [httphttps://www.bjcp.org/ Beer Judge Certification Program home page]

* [https://www.thebeertimes.com/guia-de-estilos-de-cerveza-bjcp-2015-espanol/ Guía de Estilos de Cerveza BCP 2015 en español] The Beer Times

{{homebrewing}}

[[Category:Beer organisationsorganizations]]

[[Category:Alcohol in the United States]]

[[Category:Homebrewing]]