Competitions

Homebrew competitions are a fantastic way to get genuine, experienced feedback on your beers. No matter your level of skill or ability, honest feedback will always be the best way to dial in and refine your beers. Take a look at the FAQs below as everyone has questions.

As a club we are incredibly proud to be running the UK National Homebrew Competition. Hosted in Bristol at our friends Wiper and True in their beautiful taproom each February this is an opportunity for up to 400 brewers to have their beers judged in any of the BJCP styles.

This page is intended to be a helpful guide to link off to competitions hosted by a variety of fantastic different clubs around the UK and Ireland, but is by no means a fully comprehensive list, and always check each site for full details.

FAQs

How do the competitions work?

Competitions may sound daunting but are typically hosted using the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) format where entries are judged against their pre-agreed style guidelines. Points and feedback are then assigned based on Aroma, Appearance, Flavour, Mouthfeel and Overall Impression.

Winners from each table of style then progresses into the Best of Show where the overall winner is crowned.

I got a really high score but didn’t medal. Why Not?

Firstly, well done! Typically, the highest scorer on the table go into a “mini-BOS” where the judges will re-access the beers regardless of score and order their favaourites. Sometimes, its not the highest scoring beer that makes the top three.

I brewed a beer to one style that tastes like another. What should I do?

Enter it as the style you think it more closely aligns with. Aimed for a pilsner, but produced an incredible stout? Enter it as a stout.

Do I need to attend in person?

No, most competitions will offer addresses for posting of entries as well as drop-off addresses if you live locally. But most competitions will also welcome you for the awards ceremony after the judging is done.

How should I package my beers?

Check each competition’s site for their rules, but our friends at The Malt Miller have put together a great YouTube video with advice and guidance on packaging your beers for a competition: ENTERING A HOMEBREW COMPETITION?

Also, as little plastic packaging, as possible please.