Beer judging in Victoria
Judging & BJCP
Learn to assess beer, give useful feedback and improve your own brewing.
Why learn how to judge beer?
Becoming a ranked beer judge will improve your appreciation of beer and teach you beer tasting and evaluation skills. You’ll learn how to give useful feedback on a judging sheet. It’ll also help you evaluate and improve your own beers and select the most appropriate styles to enter them in competitions.
What’s the BJCP?
The BJCP (Beer Judge Certification Program) is an American non-profit organisation that runs a program of certifying beer judges, preparing style guidelines and promoting beer literacy. Judges are ranked at levels from Apprentice up to Grand Master. Judge ranking depends on your mark in the BJCP exams and judging experience accrued at BJCP-registered competitions.
Vicbrew’s involvement
Part of Vicbrew’s mission is to improve the standard of judging in Victoria and assist in training new judges. Anyone can register a BJCP exam and run a training course. Vicbrew can offer experience and advice to help it run smoothly.
This website also serves as a noticeboard for people interested in BJCP activities in Victoria. If you’re interested in running or attending a course or exam, let us know.
The study course
The exact format of courses and exams varies, but usually includes a series of tasting and study sessions before the exam. Costs vary and go towards buying classic beer styles and paying BJCP exam fees.
Study material and contact information for courses worldwide can be found in the BJCP Exam Program.
Judge training enquiries
Email judge-training@vicbrew.org if you believe you are eligible to sit the written BJCP exam, or have questions or suggestions about BJCP activities in Victoria.