That looks like a really tough job, especially not to drink while doing it. But somebody's got to do it. Thanks for the link.
I didn't know they discussed them like that and made decisions as a group. Too bad, because it's so vulnerable to "groupthink". I think it ought to be just blind review and then that's it - the collection of scores from the individuals determines the winner.
A couple of things to think about. The scores on the sheet is what one judge rated the beer. Everyone has things they are flavor blind to, and even if you can taste it, someone else may have a lower threshold. Some may be more familiar with the style being judged, and pick up on things that are out of style that others don't. Production breweries have several on the sensory panels to evaluate if the production beer meets the breweries quality standards. The judges talk over what they get, and kick out beers based on technical flaws or being not to style. If you lnow your brewers, you could have identified several at the table that had the most camera time, in addition to Jamie Floyd. These are people who have beers in other categories, and they want to give the beers the best judging they can, as their beers are going through the same process at other tables. It should also be said that the tasting is done blind by the judges, there are just entry numbers on the strip taped to the cup. There can always be someone who tries to pull rank, or influence the decision based on the beer they like the taste of, but it is up to each judge to voice their opinion. To be clear, I have only done homebrew competitions, but the GABF looks to be very similar.
I love beer and think the tasting of beer is fun. This seems to strip the fun out of it. I guess I'm not judge material.
Not to worry. Those are not the conditions under which "groupthink" happens. Consensus is more likely than groupthink with the controls they use in place.
Ever think that going through the training and process of judging might improve your ability to enjoy beer even more in the future? Works that way for some folks.
Firstly let me provide the caveat that I am not a certified beer judge. It seems to me that “training and process of judging” can be a double edged sword. One aspect of judging beer (whether it be homebrewed or commercially brewed) is to ‘look’ for “technical flaws” (as was mentioned in hopfenunmaltz’s post). Even though I do not have “training” I often find myself judging while I drink a beer (as part of my beer appreciation). So, last evening I ordered a Dark Horse One Oatmeal Stout Ale. I like Oatmeal Stouts (I homebrew two batches a year). As I was drinking this beer I took note of a ‘sour tinge’; it was not real evident but it was there. Overall the beer was tasty but I just couldn’t get over this taste (which I would personally judge to be a “technical flaw”). About midway through the pint my wife asked: “What do you think about your beer”. I then went on to say that overall it was a very good beer but that the sour tinge bothered me. My wife offered to switch beers (she had an Ithaca Flower Power which was absolutely yummy). She happy finished the Dark Horse Oatmeal Stout while I finished the Flower Power. I must confess that there is a part of me that wishes I could ‘get over’ things like a slight sour tinge in an overall tasty beer. Cheers!
