My beer got a 29 and a 36. Why is the overall score a 30? It makes sense that it would be a 33 or 34. Maybe I should read the fine print…haha
As feared, I had carbonation issues after bottling from the keg…
yeah, the fine print usually says something like ‘the overall score is not necesarily an average of all scores’. The head judge at the table, or the judges in conference may have decided on a lower overall score. although with two judges you’d thing they could have just averaged it. I guess the guy who gave you a 29 managed to talk the other guy down.
Ok thanks. I looked it over very quickly.
I entered it in the wrong category so that and the fact that it was undercarbed explains my score. The 36 makes me feel better so I will just pretend that is the score 
I see the section now where it explains the final score. Is it in bad taste to email the judges to get additional feedback? I basically want to see what they would have thought of it if I entered it into the correct category.
It’s not in bad taste, but it’s a crapshoot if they’ll remember the beer and be able to give you any further feedback.
Yeah I was kind of thinking that. Wasn’t sure if they held on to copies of scoresheets which might help them remember.
I know I’ve never walked away from judging with copies of the scoresheets. I have had people call me to ask further questions and I generally haven’t been able to help them.
Thanks. Sounds promising…haha
Since I have done this in the past I can tell you the best way is to scan your score sheet and also copy your recipe and complete process into the email you send. This way the judge can see his own sheet and the additional recipe info on your beer.
This gives the judge the best complete info to erpovide any additional input you might need to provide.
I actually just did this on a Belgian Strong that scored a solid 36, advanced to mini BOS but ultimately didn’t medal. He score sheet was well written from a National judge but I wanted some additional help in improving the few faults found. The judge replied quite promptly and with really great insight after reviewing the recipe and process and actually remembered the beer!
Never be afraid to email a judge but be sure to give them what they need to get you what you’re looking for:)
Thanks! I emailed both of them. If they respond and are willing, I will get the necessary information.
I’m sure you will, good luck!
And on the upside, if you got an overall 30 on a beer that was maybe in the wrong category and undercarbed, then it must have been otherwise pretty darn solid beer. Those two issues are easily fixable.
This is what I was going to say.
It was a pretty big error on my part. It is basically a ‘lightly spiced’ schwarzbier that I entered into 4C instead of 23. I was light handed with the spices (cinnamon, cloves, ginger, white pepper, and sage) but it is noticeable. Both scoresheets mentioned the phenolic aroma. Not sure what I was thinking when I filled out the entry form…
Hell no. The consensus score will vary between judging pairs. In some cases, they will just average, and in others, they’ll agree on a score. If you contact them, be prepared to either scan or transcribe the scoresheet. I won’t remember a beer later necessarily, but if I see my comments, I will usually remember well. I had a guy in my club that picked on me about my comments on his beer, but it was when he quoted my comments that I remembered exactly the beer and we could discuss it (he wound up dumping the whole batch for exactly the flavors I was getting). A 30 isn’t bad per se, but it indicates a fair amount of minor flaws or 1 significant one. I’ve had a beer which won medals (and place BOS) score a 29 due to a bottling mishap (didn’t hold carbonation).
Thanks everyone.
Both judges replied and were super friendly. They have even offered to meet and try the beer again if I wanted to. I wanted additional feedback but soon realized that I didn’t really need any. I am confident this beer would have scored better in the correct category with proper carbonation. Who would have thunk…
It was my first lager and I didn’t seem to get dinged for any fermentation issues which makes me happy.
Probably a better candidate for 21A Spice/Herb/Veg than 23 if you just added spices to a classic style. Glad to hear you connected with your judges and got more feedback.
Yeah I never mind being contacted about a beer I judged. It really is necessary to send the scoresheet along with it though.
I almost always just average the score with the other judge… but there are times where you don’t necessarily want to do that. For example if the average score is 37 and they need a 38 to get an honorable mention.
I’ve been to some comps where medals are handed out soley based on score (like all beers in a certain range get bronze medals, next range up silvers, etc…)
+1 on scanning your score sheet and attaching that when emailing the judge. The few times that I’ve had that done to me really helped jog my memory.
I’ve even gone so far as to REQUEST the brewer contact me in the case of a particularly strange off flavor that I couldn’t identify, but whoever it was never did. It’s too bad, because I really wanted to help figure it out.