BJCP Preparation Class

Become a Beer Judge

Think you can tell a good beer from a bad beer? If so, how about formalizing your credentials by becoming an offical beer judge?

Periodically, some of the local homebrew clubs host an exam for the Beer Judge Certification Program. Jim Wilson of Strand Brewer's Club and Carl Townsend of Pacific Gravity are hosting a parallel set of preparation classes for the exam. Some of the topics covered include use of the official score sheet, definitions of beer styles, flavor contributions of various ingredients, brewing techniques, and identification of brewing defects. We'll sample a variety of beer styles, including styles you've never tried before.

Classes are full, but we can add you to the waiting list.
If you are interested in the Strand classes, please contact Jim Wilson at jim7258@gmail.com

If you are interested in the Pacific Gravity classes, please contact Carl Townsend at brewmaster@picobrewery.com

Complete Reading List (Password protected)
Partial Reading List (open access)

Meeting Dates 2008 - Strand Classes are alternating Mondays at 7:00 PM at Jim Wilson's residence.
Pacific Gravity Classes are alternating Sundays at 5:00 PM at the Culver City Home Brewing Supply Co.
4358 1/2 Sepulveda Blvd, Culver City, CA 90230.

Session #	Dates for Strand Brewers Classes on Mondays 7:00 PM at Jim Wilson's residence.	Dates for Pacific Gravity Classes on Sundays 5:00 PM at Culver City Home Brewing Supply Co.
Class 1	February 18, 2008	Feb 24
Class 2	March 3	March 9
Class 3	March 17	March 30
Class 4	March 31	April 13
Class 5	April 14	April 27
Class 6	April 28	May 11
Class 7	May 12	May 25
Class 8	May 26	June 8
Exam	2:00 PM, Saturday, June 14th at St. Bede's Eposcopal Church

Here is some of the latest info on schedule, outline and reading material at the Strand Yahoo Group.

Note that this is a moderated group. If you haven't yet subscribed, click on "join this group". The moderator should approve your request within 12 hours or so.

Class Syllabus

Course Materials

Beer Assignments

Course Costs

Exam: $50 ($30 for second-time takers)
Class: $TBD
Notebook $TBD

Class Organization

Each class will consist of three parts

Technical Topics, including brewing techniques, use of ingredients and identification of flavor defects.

Beer Style Study, including judgings of commercial beers and homebrews. If you have a homebrew you'd like to share, please let me know so I can schedule it in. We'll taste 4 to 6 beers per class (not 14!) If enough people donate beer, you'll get a refund for part of the class costs.

Homework Assignments. We'll write up one of these at each class. For best results, I recommend that you write up answers to all of the sample questions. If you e-mail me your responses a few days before the next class, I'll review them and provide constructive comments.

Check the Strand Brewers Website for the latest information, especially, the May, 2005 Dregs.