Things that make you go HHHMMM!

[Dawg LB Steve]

Had 6 entries in a local comp, 440 or so total entries, 95 medals, 90% of the judges from 2 clubs all but 16 end up in 2 clubs hands with the majority to the host club, I did end up with a bronze for my Bottoms Up Brown ale. In 4 years of entering comps and 50 or so entries I have never had oxidation ever mentioned in any of the scoresheets, ALL 6 entries including the Brown were oxidized???? HHHMMM I keg and bottle from the keg fill 2 cap on the foam 2 and I am still drinking these from the keg NO oxidation present in any of these pours. I stewarded on the table that the BOS? winner came from and tasted, a tropical stout avg at best, nothing outstanding on the whole table of 10 British Stout, I know I had 2 entries (not tooting my own horn BUT) that far exceeded that BOS beer. This definitely put a sour taste in my mouth for this particular comp.
Rant over!

[BlackDuck]

That sounds fishy for sure. Did you say anything to the organizers?

[John Sand]

I understand. The Last Time I entered a competition, it was a similar scene. Most of the winners knew each other, some were judges, the math on the scores was incorrect, and some of the described flaws on scoresheets were not recognized off flavors. I feel that I get my best feedback at LHBS meetings, or from brewers or craft beer fans that I know and can believe. Truly my best taster is my wife, who has a very sensitive palate and does not hesitate to let me know if the beer needs improvement.

[RickBeer]

In a well run judging, the samples would be blind. They wouldn't know who made what.

[Dawg LB Steve]

Did not bring anything up to the organizers, just am not going to be working or entering their comp anymore, and I am not the only one to have this fishy feeling, another recent Borgie for sure has the same feeling as I do, he had a Cream Ale that scored the same as the Gold did, not even an honorable mention. It IS blind sampling except that these guys all sit at their meetings and know each others beer, most of them even brew together.

[Kealia]

That's too bad - and things like this keep me from entering competitions. I also get good feedback from friends so I don't feel like I need the outside input.

Plus, if you don't like my free beer, don't drink it!

Sorry to hear about the poor experience for you, though.

[Dawg LB Steve]

Have had entries in this particular comp each year since 2014, always did well in them. It being one of the bigger ones and the area clubs that represent entries made it one that felt was a pretty good accomplishment to medal in, till this year.