Brewing awards come from many sources – peoples’ choice awards, beer enthusiasts (non-certified), Cicerones, BJCP judges and awards resulting from the scrutiny of your brewery peers. Are all awards created equally? Perhaps not, but each holds its own unique value.

Awards from the people, the ones you brew beer for and who loyally follow your pilgrimage from ISAs to barrel aged imperial stouts, these people love your breweries and your beer. Getting the head nod from them is rewarding.

Having a BJCP/Cicerone judging panel conduct a blind tasting, their critique is based on how true to style your beer is. Unlike a peoples’ choice award, this judge should rate your beer appropriately even if that style is not to his/her liking.

Blind peer review. Probably the most rewarding as fellow brewers liked your beer. They truly liked it! Most brewers tend to be a humble bunch but when their peers award them with a medal, it is an amazing accolade.

Cherish your awards as each one is a significant achievement.

Post by: Lynn McIlwee