The first step to obtaining a Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) qualification is to sign up for an exam. To be eligible, you must be at least 21 years of age and have substantial knowledge of beer styles and tasting.
Typically, you should have completed several approved beer tasting classes or have significant brewery or homebrewing experience. After registering, you must then take and pass the BJCP Exam.
The BJCP Exam is divided into two sections. In the first part, you will be tested on your knowledge of beer styles, ingredients, brewing techniques and terminology. In the second section, you will need to identify flavors in a blind tasting that reflect the qualities of a particular style of beer.
Once you have passed the examination, you will receive your official recognition from the BJCP in the form of a numbered certificate. You will also receive a judge rank and title based on your performance on the exam.
Renewal of the certification every three years is required to maintain your rank, though there may be additional criteria to meet in order to achieve higher ranks.
The BJCP is an excellent way for qualified beer tasters and brewers to demonstrate their knowledge and expertise to the beer world. By becoming certified, you will join a community of beer judges throughout the world and will be able to more fully participate in beer competitions and tasting panels.
And, of course, it doesn’t hurt to have the title of “BJCP” on your resume.
How to become BJCP Judge?
If you want to become a Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) judge, you’ll need to pass tests, demonstrate your beer-tasting expertise, and properly apply and register.
First, you’ll need to get up to speed on BJCP study materials, including the BJCP Style Guidelines, the AHA/BJCP Exam Study Guide, evaluation forms, and sensory sheet format. You’ll need to study in order to understand the evaluating criteria.
You’ll also need to gain a good knowledge of the flavor characteristics of beer and beer styles.
When you feel you have mastered the knowledge base, you’ll be required to take an entrance exam, which will assess your level of knowledge. If you qualify and pass the exam, you will be admitted as a Recognized Judge, which is the first stage of certification.
You’ll then be able to judge beer competitions sanctioned by the BJCP.
At this point, you can choose if you want to become a Certified Judge or a Provisional Judge. To become a Certified Judge, you must pass a formal tasting exam. If you don’t wish to become a Certified Judge right away, you can become a Provisional Judge and take tasting exams over the next two years to upgrade your score to a Certified rank.
After two years, if you can demonstrate a level of mastery equal to or better than a Certified Judge, you’ll be eligible to upgrade to that level.
To become a BJCP judge, you’ll also need to register on the BJCP’s website. You must be 21 or over, pay the registration fee, and fill out the application form. Once your application is approved, you’ll be placed on a waiting list for judging at certified competitions.
Becoming a BJCP judge takes effort and dedication, but it can be a rewarding endeavor. Not only do you help promote and celebrate beer culture, you’ll also get the chance to sample various beer styles and gain the knowledge and certifications that can help you take your career to the next level.
How many Bjcp judges are there?
As of October 2020, there are over 7,300 Certified Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) judges. This number is growing rapidly due to the rise in popularity of craft beer and competitions that use the BJCP style guidelines.
The BJCP also certifies beer stewards and national judges as part of their program.
BJCP judges are volunteers who dedicate their time to beer evaluation, education, and style guidance. Becoming a BJCP judge requires passing an exam that tests knowledge of beer styles, off-flavors, storage and service, brewing processes, ingredients, and more.
Upon passing the exam, the individual is assigned a judging rank from Apprentice to Grand Master.
To remain active, BJCP judges must renew their membership biennially and complete at least six judging experience points within the two-year period. These points can be earned through being part of a BJCP sanctioned competition, judging, stewarding, teaching, researching, writingstyle guidelines or other activities.
In addition to the 7,300+ certified judges, there are also over 1,400 nationally approved judges, many of whom are certified judges that have earned additional national ranks. The goal of the BJCP program is to ensure that beers evaluated and judged at BJCP sanctioned competitions are judged fairly and in accordance with the established style guidelines.
What does Bjcp mean?
BJCP stands for the Beer Judge Certification Program, which is an independent organization in the United States that administers and promotes a standardized system for judging and evaluating the quality of beer and related products such as mead and cider.
The program offers certification for qualified beer judges and producers, and it also sets a standard for judging and evaluating beer. The BJCP produces a set of Beer Style Guidelines that is used by brewers, beer judges and beer competitions to evaluate the taste and aroma of ales, lagers, wheat beers, sour and wild ales, Belgian beers, and other types of beer.
The BJCP also offers resources for the home brewer, such as a Sensory Wheel and a Beer Tasting Sheet that are designed to help untrained judges evaluate beers in an organized and consistent manner.
What is a beer judge called?
A beer judge is a person who has been officially certified by the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP). Beer judges are responsible for evaluating and scoring beers according to BJCP guidelines during competitions, providing feedback to brewers and ensuring standardized and objective scoring and judging of a particular type of beer.
Qualified beer judges possess an advanced knowledge of various styles of beer, their unique qualities and their overall tastes. Beer judging is an important part of the craft beer industry, as it helps to maintain quality and ensure consistency in the services provided by breweries and beer-related businesses.
Certified beer judges may also work in beer-related industries, such as being involved in research, helping in recipe formulation and improving beer-making processes.
How many Level 3 Cicerones are there?
At the current time, there are approximately 1,400 individuals who have achieved the advanced qualifications of Level 3 Cicerone®. The Cicerone Certification Program is the beer industry’s leading professional certification program and is committed to promoting beer literacy and quality of service.
The program was founded in 2007 and is based in Chicago, Illinois.
To become a Level 3 Cicerone, applicants must demonstrate their knowledge and skills in beer storage and service, draft beer quality, beer ingredients and brewing processes, and a comprehensive beer tasting exam.
Level 3 Cicerones gain advanced abilities in identifying off-flavors in beer, creating flavor wheels to develop sensorial evaluation skills, and accurately diagnosing and solving beer problems. After passing all components of the program and receiving their certificate, Level 3 Cicerones will obtain the certification recognition as a Certified Cicerone®.
The program is founded on a commitment to creating and holding high professional standards of excellence and experience, so Level 3 Cicerones have earned their status as the most knowledgeable beer professionals.
Level 3 Cicerones are proficient in advanced beer styles, styles for food pairings, and have developed more advanced knowledge about the history of beer, ingredients, and laws governing beer service.
Level 3 Cicerones must also possess leadership skills to be successful as well as the ability to communicate and teach their knowledge to others. They are expected to maintain their certification within the program and stay up to date with the latest beer trends.
Becoming a Level 3 Cicerone is an honor and a privilege, making it a highly valued certification in the beer industry.
How hard is Master Cicerone?
The Master Cicerone certification is considered to be the most difficult in the beer service industry. To even be eligible for the certification, you must have five years of experience working in the beer industry and at least one other certification from the Cicerone program.
In order to pass the Master Cicerone exam, you must have a deep understanding of various beer styles, beer ingredients and sensory evaluation techniques, draught system design and maintenance, cask ale education, beer and food pairings, brewing processes and ingredients, and draft beer legislation.
The Master Cicerone exam consists of a written portion and an oral examination, which are both conducted by the Cicerone Certification Program. The written exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions and three essay questions, and the oral examination consists of numerous questions related to beer styles, beer ingredients and brewing processes.
Prospective Master Cicerones must also pass a performance exam which requires them to properly conduct a beer sensory evaluation, set up and maintain a draft system, open a keg, and demonstrate how to serve beer to guests.
The difficulty of the Master Cicerone exam depends on a person’s prior knowledge and experience in the beer industry. Those who already have extensive experience and knowledge of beer likely have a better chance of passing the exam.
However, it is still very challenging and those who prepare for it can expect to study for many months in order to fully prepare for the exam.
How much does it cost to become a master Cicerone?
Becoming a Master Cicerone (a beer certification program) is a significant investment. The full Master Cicerone Certification Course costs $1,550 and requires you to pass a 2-day course, an online exam, and a 3-hour written exam.
All course and exam fees must be paid prior to the start of the course and include an annual subscription to Band of Brewers, an online learning platform. Additional exam fees are $395 for the tasting exam and $375 for the written exam.
So the total cost for the course and both exams is $2,320. This does not include the cost of travel and lodging in order to attend the 2-day course.
What are the 4 types of beers?
The four main types of beers are ales, lagers, stouts and porters. Ales are generally stronger and more flavourful, and come in a variety of styles ranging from pale ales to brown ales, as well as IPA’s.
These types of beers are made with top-fermenting yeast, which ferments at warmer temperatures. Lagers are brewed using bottom-fermenting yeast, which ferments at cooler temperatures. This results in a much crisper beer with a lighter body and malt notes.
Stouts are a heavier type of beer and often have roasted biscuit or coffee flavours. Finally, porters are have a smooth and slightly sweet flavour, and are darker in colour than other beers.
Are there different types of beer?
Yes, there are different types of beer. Beers come in many shapes, sizes, colors, and flavors. Ales, lagers, stouts and porters are the most common types of beer, with the differences mainly in the type of yeast used and the brewing temperature.
Ales are brewed at higher temperatures than lagers and use top-fermenting yeast, which produces a slight “fruity” flavor and a fuller body. Lagers, on the other hand, undergo a longer, slower brewing process and are brewed at lower temperatures and are generally fruitier in flavor than Ales.
Stouts and porters are dark beers brewed from roasted malt or unmalted grains, with a strong bitterness due to the use of hops for preservation. There are also various specialty or seasonal beers brewed for specific holidays or times of year, or with unique ingredients or processes.
How do you classify beer?
Beer can generally be classified by its style and ingredients. The four main ingredients in beer are water, malt, hops, and yeast. Based on the type of malt and the amount used, the different styles of beer can be divided into lagers, ales, stouts, pilsners, and wheat beer.
Lagers are light in color and are brewed with different types of lager yeasts, which ferment the beer slower and at a lower temperature. Ales are brewed with top-fermenting yeast and ferment at higher temperatures, which produces a more complex flavor and aroma.
Stouts are a dark and malty beer made from roasted grains, with a hefty dose of hops, and usually brewed with yeast strains that impart a fruity or tart flavor.
Pilsner beer is a light, golden-colored variety brewed with a type of lager yeast.
Wheat beer is a refreshingly light, pale beer brewed with a combination of wheat and barley malts. They usually have a clean, slightly bready aroma and a tart, wheaty flavor.
The flavor and style of beer will also depend on the type of hops used in the brewing process. Hops are flower cones that give beer its bitterness and aroma, and will, in turn, determine the character and profile of a beer.
What style of beer is Corona?
Corona is a pale lager produced by Mexican brewer Cervecería Modelo. It is commonly served with a wedge of lime or lemon in the neck of the bottle to add tartness and flavor. Corona is an easy drinking, light-bodied beer with a neutral malt taste and slight hop bitterness.
It’s usually light straw in color with a light, refreshing flavor. The beer is mostly known for its popular Mexican-style beers, but Corona also produces other more traditional styles, such as IPAs and amber ales.
Corona is widely available in bars, restaurants, and stores and can be found in bottles or cans.
Is beer an alcoholic drink?
Yes, beer is an alcoholic drink. Beer is brewed from grain and water and flavored with hops and a variety of ingredients, and is fermented with yeast. This fermentation process turns the grain into ethyl alcohol (ethanol) and carbonation.
The alcohol content in beers can range from as little as 0. 5 percent alcohol by volume (ABV) to as high as 12 percent ABV. Alcohol content is measured by ABV, which is the percentage of alcohol present in a given volume of the drink.
Beer is part of the larger category of alcoholic drinks, which also includes wines, meads, ciders and spirits.
What is an ale vs lager?
Ales and lagers are two distinct styles of beer that are differentiated by their brewing methods and the type of yeast used. Ale is brewed with top-fermenting yeast, which ferment at relatively warmer temperatures.
Lager is brewed with bottom-fermenting yeast, which ferment at relatively cooler temperatures.
In general, Ale is known for its robust and complex flavors while lager has a mild and crisp taste. Ales have a distinct malty and fruity aroma, while lagers often have a subtle bready, grainy, grassy aroma.
Ales tend to be sweet and malty, with distinct notes of flavors like caramel, chocolate, and fruit. Lagers have a more subtle flavor, with clean and crisp aromas, often reminiscing of grains such as malt.
Colorwise, ales tend to range from golden yellow to a rich brown, while lagers come off as a crisp light golden or straw-colored yellow.
To summarize, ales rely on top-fermenting yeast at higher temperatures with a sweeter and more complex flavor profile, while lagers rely on bottom-fermenting yeast at lower temperatures with a cleaner and crisp flavor profile.
