Saturday BJCP Study Group and Exam

[Chris Norrick]

From Ron Smith:

SATURDAY BJCP STUDY GROUP AND EXAM

As many of you know, I have coordinated a BJCP Study Group in each of the past 3 years. With these study groups, as well as the ones Linda Swihart conducted in the Lafayette area (and perhaps others I’m not aware of), in just a few short years, we have increased the number of BJCP judges in the state from just a handful to somewhere around 50 (I think). This has been a very rewarding effort for myself, the people that have helped me lead these sessions, and all the attendees. Whether the goal is increasing their judging skills and participating in homebrew competitions, or to simply make better beer, the attendees certainly met those goals. As some examples, we had far more Indiana beers advance to the final round of the AHA National Homebrew Competition last year than ever before, and the State Fair Brewers Cup had many more judges from our own state than ever before.

As most of you know, a BJCP Study Group is for anyone interested in becoming a ranked BJCP beer judge and/or making better beer. This is an intensive course primarily for brewers, homebrewers and advanced beer industry people. Although people have come in from all around the state for these classes, which have traditionally been held on Thursday nights, this year I’m changing things up a bit. Instead of multiple weeknight meetings, we are going to do 4 long (5.5 hrs) Saturday sessions. This will give people that can't do the Thursday night sessions, as well as people from outside central Indiana a better opportunity to participate.

The 4 sessions will be held at Payless Liquors in Fishers (I-69 and 96th St.) from 12:30 – 6:00 on March 7, 14, 21, 28. The BJCP Exam is then scheduled for the next Saturday, April 4th (location and exact time to be determined, but it will probably be at the State Fairgrounds, and starting around 1:00). The cost for the 4 classes will be based on how many people participate, but my guess is that it will be around $120 - $130.

Please let me know if you are interested and I will send you a detailed outline and various study materials and information. Send an email to RonSmith-at-MarketWiseSolutions.com as soon as you can.