The purpose of the Award of Brewing (AoB) program is to inspire members to learn about and accurately reproduce a wide variety of beer and mead styles as defined by the Beer Judge Certification Program. Participation is voluntary and open to all members.
Program Guidelines
Program participants fill out an AOB Registration Form for each sample submitted for judging.
The judges will not assist the brewer in style determination. Styles are based on the Beer Judge Certification Program’s style guidelines (www.bjcp.org).
The sample and completed Registration Form should be presented to the AoB coordinator prior to the start of the club’s monthly meeting or steering meeting, whichever the participant chooses.
Samples will be evaluated by a panel of judges comprised of at least 2 experienced BJCP judges, and at least one non-BJCP judge. The judging panel will decide how many samples can be reasonably judged given time constraints, based on a first-come first-served basis.
Sample volume requirements are as follows: 1 Liter of beer or ½ Liter for high gravity (>1.080) beer, mead or cider.
The judges will return a copy of the Registration Form and communicate their impressions of the sample so that the participant can make adjustments to recipes or techniques as needed.
Judges will provide a "reference score" with their results indicating where they feel the beer might fit in the range of overall quality.
A copy of the completed Registration Form will be saved by the AoB coordinator in the club AoB file.
After (or while) the beer has been (or is being) sampled by the judging team it may be made available to everyone in attendance, based upon the wishes of the brewer of the sample.
Brewers may work together but no more than two individuals will receive credit for a beer that has successfully passed the judges’ examination. Credited brewers should be involved in all aspects of the brewing process from recipe development through packaging.
Award of Brewing Levels
Brewers advance through the program by demonstrating their ability to produce beers that accurately reflect the characteristics of world beer styles as defined by the Beer Judge Certification Program guidelines; submitted samples should exhibit no major defects in flavor, quality, or style.
Recognized Brewer: To reach the "recognized" level a brewer must make a beer from 6 of the major categories currently sanctioned by the AHA. At least 1 of these must be a lager and at least 1 of these must be an ale.
Accomplished Brewer: To reach the "accomplished" level a brewer must make a beer from 12 of the major categories currently sanctioned by the AHA. At least 2 of these must be lagers and at least 2 of these must be ales. Beers credited to a Recognized brewer count toward this obligation.
Master of Brewing: To reach the "master" level a brewer must make a beer from every major category currently sanctioned by the AHA. Beers credited to an Accomplished brewer count toward this obligation.
Master of Brewing 2nd Degree: To reach this level a brewer must produce beers representing 26 additional styles beyond those credited for the “master” level. A club service component is also required to advance to this level. This will include, but not be restricted to, a demonstration of the brewer’s knowledge of world beer styles and technical aspects of homebrewing.
Grand Master: To reach this level a brewer must produce every style of beer currently sanctioned by the AHA (currently 80). Beers credited to a 2nd Degree Master brewer count toward this obligation. A club service component is also required to advance to this level. This will include, but not be restricted to, a demonstration of the brewer’s knowledge of world beer styles and technical aspects of homebrewing.
Awards and Recognition
Awards serve as the club’s acknowledgement of the brewer’s achievement in successfully brewing various styles of beer. Upon reaching the level of Recognized Brewer, the participant will receive a gift certificate worth $10. Reaching the level of Accomplished Brewer will be rewarded with a $20 gift certificate. Upon reaching the level of Master of Brewing, the participant will receive an engraved and personalized glass mug, an engraved plaque indicating they have reached the level of Master of Brewing, and their name added to the Award of Brewing plaque of Master Brewers currently hanging at the Winesmith. Further awards and recognition are available as the brewer progresses above the level of Master of Brewing, culminating in the member’s ultimate ownership of the universe and everything in it.
