Ok so I recently got back my results from the first homebrew competition I entered in. I sent in two beers; an american IPA and an amber ale brewed with some orange peel (entered as a specialty ale).
As far as total score I didn't score too well, but that is not what bothers me. It's why they didn't. Here is what I mean:
American IPA; one judge said it was musty (stale) and oxidized while the other said it was astringent and phenolic. To my understanding harsh flavors such as astringency and chlorophenols are really not similar to stale and cardboard flavors.
Amber ale; one judge said it had major flaws due to a metallic taste while the other said it was almost flawless technically speaking. Also one the judges said it didn't have enough malt flavor while the other pointed out the lack of hop flavor.
As someone who wanted to use these scoresheets as a way to better my brewing process, the results are simply too contradictory to do so. That added to the fact that I got my sheets back 6 months after entering the competition means I don't have any of these beers left to taste myself.
Has anyone else had similar experience with scoresheets results? I had much more constructive criticism from members in my brewclub than I did from the expert judges. Since I'm a newb as far as competition are concerned I would welcome any opinions from other people.
As far as total score I didn't score too well, but that is not what bothers me. It's why they didn't. Here is what I mean:
American IPA; one judge said it was musty (stale) and oxidized while the other said it was astringent and phenolic. To my understanding harsh flavors such as astringency and chlorophenols are really not similar to stale and cardboard flavors.
Amber ale; one judge said it had major flaws due to a metallic taste while the other said it was almost flawless technically speaking. Also one the judges said it didn't have enough malt flavor while the other pointed out the lack of hop flavor.
As someone who wanted to use these scoresheets as a way to better my brewing process, the results are simply too contradictory to do so. That added to the fact that I got my sheets back 6 months after entering the competition means I don't have any of these beers left to taste myself.
Has anyone else had similar experience with scoresheets results? I had much more constructive criticism from members in my brewclub than I did from the expert judges. Since I'm a newb as far as competition are concerned I would welcome any opinions from other people.