What Is the BJCP?
The Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1985 to promote beer literacy and the appreciation of real beer. Its mission is to train and certify beer judges who can provide meaningful, knowledgeable feedback on homebrew and craft beer in competition settings.
The BJCP publishes the Style Guidelines — the definitive reference for beer, mead, and cider styles used in competitions worldwide. These guidelines describe what makes a great example of each style: its aroma, appearance, flavor, mouthfeel, history, and ingredients. If you have ever wondered what separates a good American IPA from a great one, or what makes a Czech Premium Pale Lager different from a German Pils, the BJCP Style Guidelines are where you start.
Why It Matters for Homebrewers
You do not have to become a certified judge to benefit from the BJCP. Understanding the style guidelines and evaluation process makes you a better brewer in several ways:
- Better feedback. When you enter competitions, BJCP-certified judges give you structured, detailed feedback on your beer — not just “I liked it” or “needs more hops.”
- Deeper understanding. Studying styles helps you understand the history, ingredients, and techniques behind the beers you brew and drink.
- Competition judging. Becoming a judge lets you give back to the homebrew community by volunteering at competitions like the Pacific Brewers Cup.
- Sharper palate. Formal tasting training helps you identify off-flavors, appreciate subtleties, and diagnose problems in your own beer.
The Strand Brewers Connection
The Strand Brewers Club has a proud history with the BJCP. Jim Wilson became the first BJCP Grand Master judge in all of Southern California — the highest rank in the program. By 2017, the club had produced six or more National-ranked judges, and our BJCP study groups have helped dozens of members earn their certifications. When you study with the Strand Brewers, you are learning from people who have been through it and know what it takes.
Judge Ranks and Levels
The BJCP assigns ranks based on a combination of your tasting exam score and your experience points earned through judging and organizing competitions. Here is how the ranks work, from entry level to the top:
| Rank | How You Get There |
|---|---|
| Apprentice | Pass the online entrance exam. This is your starting point — it means you have the foundational knowledge of beer styles, brewing process, and evaluation. |
| Recognized | Pass the in-person tasting exam with a score of 60 or above. You can evaluate beer competently and provide useful feedback. |
| Certified | Tasting exam score of 70 or above, plus sufficient experience points. You demonstrate strong evaluation skills and broad style knowledge. |
| National | Tasting exam score of 80 or above, plus significant experience points. National-rank judges are highly skilled evaluators — the Strand Brewers Club has produced six or more at this level. |
| Master | Tasting exam score of 90 or above, plus extensive judging and organizing experience. Very few judges reach this level. |
| Grand Master | The highest rank in the BJCP. Requires exceptional tasting scores, extensive experience, and significant contributions to the program. Jim Wilson of the Strand Brewers Club was the first Grand Master in Southern California. |
Your rank can improve over time as you gain more judging experience and retake the tasting exam for a higher score. It is a journey, not a one-time test.
How to Become a Certified Beer Judge
The path to BJCP certification is straightforward. Here is the step-by-step process:
Step 1: Study the Style Guidelines
Download and study the 2021 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines. Learn the characteristics of each style category — aroma, appearance, flavor, mouthfeel, history, and ingredients. You do not need to memorize every detail, but you should understand the major style families and what distinguishes them.
Step 2: Take the Online Entrance Exam
The BJCP Beer Entrance Exam is an online, multiple-choice test covering beer styles, brewing ingredients and process, and beer evaluation. It is open-book and you can take it from home. Passing this exam earns you the Apprentice rank and qualifies you to sit for the tasting exam.
Step 3: Practice Tasting and Evaluating Beer
This is where study groups make all the difference. Practice evaluating beers using the official BJCP scoresheet. Learn to identify flavors, aromas, and off-flavors. Taste beers blind and compare your scores with experienced judges. The Strand Brewers Club has historically run BJCP study groups — ask an officer if one is currently active.
Step 4: Register for a Tasting Exam
When you feel ready, register for an in-person tasting exam through the BJCP Exam Calendar. In the tasting exam, you will evaluate several beers under timed conditions, completing official scoresheets for each one. Your scoresheets are graded by experienced judges on accuracy, completeness, and perception.
Step 5: Get Your Rank
After the tasting exam, you will receive your scores and your official BJCP rank. From there, you can improve your rank by retaking the tasting exam, gaining experience points by judging competitions, and continuing to sharpen your palate.
Study Resources
Everything you need to prepare for the BJCP exams and become a better beer evaluator. All links are to external resources maintained by the BJCP and others — we link rather than host so you always get the latest versions.
The official guide to all 34 beer style categories. This is the foundation of everything — study it thoroughly.
The official study guide covering beer evaluation, judging process, ingredients, brewing process, and beer characteristics.
Details on the online entrance exam — format, topics, and how to register.
Find upcoming tasting exams near you and register when you are ready.
The scoresheet used in tasting exams and competitions. Practice filling these out — it is the core skill of judging.
The full BJCP education portal with courses, guides, and training materials for all exam types.
Learn to identify common off-flavors like diacetyl, acetaldehyde, DMS, and oxidation — essential for the tasting exam.
Visual reference for beer flavors and aromas — helpful for building your tasting vocabulary.
Recommended Books
- Tasting Beer by Randy Mosher — An excellent introduction to beer styles, tasting technique, and the sensory evaluation of beer. Great for beginners and experienced tasters alike.
- How to Brew by John Palmer — The definitive homebrewing reference. Understanding the brewing process is essential for evaluating beer, and Palmer covers it all.
- Brewing Classic Styles by Jamil Zainasheff and John Palmer — Style-by-style recipes and descriptions that help you understand what makes each style tick.
- For the Love of Hops by Stan Hieronymus — Deep dive into hop varieties, usage, and flavor contributions — useful for understanding hop-forward styles.
BJCP Study Groups at Strand
The Strand Brewers Club has a long track record of helping members prepare for BJCP certification. Our study groups are hands-on, collaborative sessions focused on tasting and evaluating real beer — not just reading about it.
Our Track Record
- In September 2016, eleven Strand Brewers members sat for the BJCP tasting exam together — one of the largest single-club groups in the region.
- The club has produced six or more National-ranked judges, among the highest concentration in the South Bay.
- Jim Wilson became the first BJCP Grand Master judge in Southern California, and his oxygenation research with Rives Borland was published in Zymurgy magazine.
- Our study groups have covered everything from off-flavor identification to mock tasting exams to deep dives into specific style categories.
Interested in Studying with Us?
Study groups form based on member interest — if enough people want to study for the BJCP, we will put a group together. Whether you are brand new to beer evaluation or retaking the tasting exam for a higher score, you are welcome. Talk to an officer at the next meeting or reach out through our contact page.
Quick Reference: BJCP Beer Style Categories
The 2021 BJCP Style Guidelines organize beers into 34 categories. Each category contains multiple subcategories with detailed descriptions. Click any category to view the full guidelines on the BJCP website.
- Standard American Beer
- International Lager
- Czech Lager
- Pale Malty European Lager
- Pale Bitter European Beer
- Amber Malty European Lager
- Amber Bitter European Beer
- Dark European Lager
- Strong European Beer
- German Wheat Beer
- British Bitter
- Pale Commonwealth Beer
- Brown British Beer
- Scottish Ale
- Irish Beer
- Dark British Beer
- Strong British Ale
- Pale American Ale
- Amber and Brown American Beer
- American Porter and Stout
- IPA
- Strong American Ale
- European Sour Ale
- Belgian Ale
- Strong Belgian Ale
- Monastic Ale
- Historical Beer
- American Wild Ale
- Fruit Beer
- Spiced Beer
- Alternative Fermentables Beer
- Smoked Beer
- Wood Beer
- Specialty Beer
Categories link to the official 2021 BJCP Style Guidelines. Each category contains multiple subcategories with detailed style descriptions, vital statistics, and commercial examples.