So, this past weekend, S and I went over to the Shamrock Open. We submitted a beer to it (which didn’t place - which is fine - I was suspect of my bottling practices, we’ll find out how it was when we get the sheets back). We both signed up to steward for the competition - which is basically hanging out with a pair of judges, handing them bottles, double-checking their math, and tasting the beers with them to get a handle on what it’s like to judge.

Turns out a few of their judges didn’t show, so I ended up judging - I’ve judged before (in the same building, oddly), and it was a nice repeat experience. I got to judge morning session with a guy from TRUB - who was great - and who won Best in Category for Premium American Lager. Tough style. Nothing to hide behind. In the afternoon I judged with a guy down from Baltimore who was, as of that day, I think, a Certified BJCP judge.

Very educational day. If you’re really interested in homebrew, I highly suggest going to a couple of competitions. Steward the first time, judge the second time. You learn an incredible amount about beer. It’s really pretty great.

As it turns out, there are new 2008 Style Guidelines - they’re not significantly different than the 2004 ones. A couple of styles have been dropped, just because nobody makes them anymore… which is kinda sad… but they’ve just been folded into other categories. They change with the times.

I’m also, now, considering actually looking at signing up with the BJCP and taking the test to become a certified judge. If anything, the education in off-flavors is phenomenal.

Kegged a certain beer for a certain wedding last night; it looks and tastes beautiful. It is now going through natural conditioning in the keg, and will be ready to drink just about in time.