Beer judging category

what about a 'brown' category?

 

Does your local competition provide any criteria? If not, I'd call 21 SRM dark if the only other choice is light.

 

From the OP: "The categories are light ale, dark ale, light lager, dark lager, and best of show."

 

That's a strange set. I've never seen "light ale" used to describe the colour , always the strength.For dark ale have they dark mild in mind? Why not just enter it as "best of show"?

 

Everyone know dark beers are higher in alcohol content, like Guinness. Jeez.

 

He makes a good point, unless you don't think it is worthy of "best of show".

 

Give the beer 5 different names and enter it into every category. Problem solved.

 

I would almost prefer this kind of competition to the bjcp craziness.

 

I guess my sarcasm was thickly veiled.

 

I'm curious of why you are entering this competition. One of the best reasons for any comp is to get the judges' feedback on your product, which will be based on your determination of the BJCP style you were trying to brew to. With mealy categories like this, you won't really get much of that. I'll be the first to admit that I do not always agree with the BJCP categories and have said so pretty loudly at times in this venue, but I do believe that the one thing that they are useful for is competitions. They are there to help you grow and hone your skills at hitting a target, even if that target is not always historically correct. Think of all the different styles that your "dark ale" could be up against. What kind of feedback will you get from this?

 

Maybe there's prize money or notoriety involved or something? Feedback is probably the best reason to enter a competition, but not the only

 

What's the BJCP style guide for a "dark ale"?

 

Wouldn't "Best in Show" just take from the other four catagories?

What is an amateur homebrewer? Or, is there such a thing as a professional homebrewer?

 

Is this a BJCP sanctioned event? Who is doing the judging?

 

If a pro wanted to enter the nationals, he or she could as long as the beer was brewed on a home system, not at the pro brewery.

 

Dark ale category, Good luck!