# Category Question **URL:** \ **Category:** Events & Comps\ **Created:** [April 24, 2015, 12:08am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/category-question/19822 "2015-04-24T00:08:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![flbrewer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/flbrewer/32/6296_2.png) [@flbrewer](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/flbrewer)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2015, 12:08am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/category-question/19822/1 "2015-04-24T00:08:50Z")
I’m entering in an APA which is 15% rye. Just to confirm this should still be listed under category 10A correct? From what I’ve read of the BJCP styles, I can’t see anything else it fits under. I noticed this comment “Specialty grains may add character and complexity, but generally make up a relatively small portion of the grist” and didn’t want to get points off for having a grist bill with that amount of rye. ---
**Author:** ![dmtaylor](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/dmtaylor/32/9644_2.png) [@dmtaylor](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/dmtaylor)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2015, 12:19am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/category-question/19822/2 "2015-04-24T00:19:03Z")
It’s extremely unlikely you can taste the rye at just 15% of the grist.  It may add a little body and awesome head retention, but that’s about it.  Keep as 10A. ---
**Author:** ![klickitat\_jim](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/klickitat_jim/32/6601_2.png) [@klickitat\_jim](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/klickitat_jim)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2015, 1:19am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/category-question/19822/3 "2015-04-24T01:19:45Z")
Agreed unless you can taste rye. They wont see the recipe until they give you the gold anyway. Then they can go “Doh!” ---
**Author:** ![flbrewer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/flbrewer/32/6296_2.png) [@flbrewer](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/flbrewer)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2015, 6:39pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/category-question/19822/4 "2015-05-24T18:39:42Z")
Psyched to report I got an average score of 34 on my first competition beer! I really didn’t expect this as I thought it turned out pretty poorly. Looking forward to the notes on this one. ---
**Author:** ![duboman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/duboman/32/5890_2.png) [@duboman](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/duboman)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2015, 6:53pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/category-question/19822/5 "2015-05-24T18:53:41Z")
Congrats!! ---
**Author:** ![Brewday](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/brewday/32/21101_2.png) [@Brewday](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/Brewday)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2015, 7:15pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/category-question/19822/6 "2015-05-24T19:15:11Z")
Nice work! ---
**Author:** ![jonhughey\_att.net](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/jonhughey_att.net/32/6277_2.png) [@jonhughey\_att.net](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/jonhughey_att.net)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2015, 7:27pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/category-question/19822/7 "2015-05-24T19:27:03Z")
Nice job! ---
**Author:** ![flbrewer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/flbrewer/32/6296_2.png) [@flbrewer](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/flbrewer)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2015, 7:46pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/category-question/19822/8 "2015-05-24T19:46:41Z")
Thanks, unless the 34 is the “atta boy” score. ---
**Author:** ![klickitat\_jim](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/klickitat_jim/32/6601_2.png) [@klickitat\_jim](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/klickitat_jim)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2015, 8:10pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/category-question/19822/9 "2015-05-24T20:10:21Z")
34 is right in the middle of very good. Good job ---
**Author:** ![toby](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/toby/32/12343_2.png) [@toby](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/toby)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2015, 8:19pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/category-question/19822/10 "2015-05-24T20:19:06Z")
> [@flbrewer](#): > > Thanks, unless the 34 is the “atta boy” score. lol…no.  Scores in the 30s are usually solid beers with either some relatively minor flaws or not quite right stylistically. ---
**Author:** ![flbrewer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/flbrewer/32/6296_2.png) [@flbrewer](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/flbrewer)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2015, 8:20pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/category-question/19822/11 "2015-05-24T20:20:20Z")
Well in that case, I am really too damn critical on my beers thus far.  :o ---
**Author:** ![brewinhard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/85f322/32.png) [@brewinhard](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/brewinhard)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2015, 9:21pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/category-question/19822/12 "2015-05-24T21:21:31Z")
Yeah, 34 is a good score to get especially for your first entry in to a competition.  The American ale category is usually very competitive as well.  Use the feedback you got from the judges and taste one of the beers as you read the comments. That is always a good way to learn a little something more about flavor/aroma descriptors.  See what they suggest for improvements (if any given) and decide if it is something you can incorporate the next time you brew this one up. ---
**Author:** ![klickitat\_jim](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/klickitat_jim/32/6601_2.png) [@klickitat\_jim](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/klickitat_jim)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2015, 11:27pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/category-question/19822/13 "2015-05-24T23:27:58Z")
Just keep in mind that the numbers aren’t linear. Every point you get above that will come harder and harder. Meaning that improving a 34 to a 39 isn’t as hard as improving a 44 to a 49. ---
**Author:** ![flbrewer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/flbrewer/32/6296_2.png) [@flbrewer](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/flbrewer)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2015, 10:51pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/category-question/19822/14 "2015-05-27T22:51:06Z")
Got the scoresheets back, and I’m blown away with the details here! The overall theme was not enough balance (malt) coming through. Probably due to my really low mash and dry finish. Notes below for those interested… _Click “Download This File” in the grey bubble_ [http://www.filedropper.com/justinbeersheet](http://www.filedropper.com/justinbeersheet) ---
**Author:** ![jonhughey\_att.net](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/jonhughey_att.net/32/6277_2.png) [@jonhughey\_att.net](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/jonhughey_att.net)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2015, 11:24pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/category-question/19822/15 "2015-05-27T23:24:50Z")
You did a really solid job ! ---
**Author:** ![jeffy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/jeffy/32/12842_2.png) [@jeffy](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/jeffy)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2015, 11:37pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/category-question/19822/16 "2015-05-27T23:37:42Z")
> [@flbrewer](#): > > Got the scoresheets back, and I’m blown away with the details here! The overall theme was not enough balance (malt) coming through. Probably due to my really low mash and dry finish. Notes below for those interested… > > [Imgur](http://i.imgur.com/SIdKKoR.png) I know two of those judges and they are both very good.  It’s nice to see that the comments are similar on all the score sheets.  Good job in your first competition! ---
**Author:** ![flbrewer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/flbrewer/32/6296_2.png) [@flbrewer](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/flbrewer)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2015, 12:20am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/category-question/19822/17 "2015-05-28T00:20:48Z")
Do you think they all judged my beer together at the same time? Otherwise, I’d even more impressed at the similar comments. ---
**Author:** ![toby](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/toby/32/12343_2.png) [@toby](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/toby)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2015, 12:50am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/category-question/19822/18 "2015-05-28T00:50:46Z")
> [@flbrewer](#): > > Do you think they all judged my beer together at the same time? Otherwise, I’d even more impressed at the similar comments. There’s no doubt they did.  That’s how it’s done.  In most cases, though, all the judges enter their own comments and at least some scores (if not all) before discussing it and coming to a consensus for score (usually, the goal is to get it within 7 points or less, most local comps I judge in try to stay within 5). ---
**Author:** ![santoch](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/santoch/32/12384_2.png) [@santoch](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/santoch)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2015, 2:53am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/category-question/19822/19 "2015-05-28T02:53:01Z")
The normal procedure is that the judges will pour their samples at once and fill out their commentary and scores usually silently.  Then, once they have finished, they discuss the beer and how they scored it, to come to a consensus overall score.  They will often adjust their scores up or down to get closer to each other, but most of the time, the adjustments are small if they were needed at all. If I may be so bold, this seems to have piqued your interest.  I had a similar reaction to my first competition.  I got sick of waiting for feedback so I became a judge so I could judge my beers myself. I encourage you to take a look at the BJCP web site ([http://www.bjcp.org](http://www.bjcp.org)) to find out more about judging and evaluating beer.  Find another competition near you, and volunteer to steward.  You’ll see the inner workings and get to taste a lot of interesting beers. if nothing else you’ll probably know right away whether you’d like to pursue it further or not. HTH- Steve ---
**Author:** ![toby](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/toby/32/12343_2.png) [@toby](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/toby)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2015, 1:16pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/category-question/19822/20 "2015-05-28T13:16:57Z")
> [@santoch](#): > > I had a similar reaction to my first competition.  I got sick of waiting for feedback so I became a judge so I could judge my beers myself. I came into it more from getting tired of hearing other people (in my club) complaining.  lol  I hadn’t entered comps for a long time until then.