Brewing Program

Auburn Brew Club’s Program for Mastering World Beer Styles

The idea for this program was inspired by the Praire Homebrew Companions of Fargo, ND and Moorhead, MN. Participation in a program like this is a great way to keep a brewer striving to learn more and brew better beer.

Purpose

The purpose of the program is:

• to promote awareness of beer styles among Auburn Brew Club members,
• to enhance Auburn Brew Club members’ technical knowledge necessary to brew specific world beer styles,
• to expose Auburn Brew Club members to a variety of brewing options,
• to demonstrate a brewers ability to produce a particular style of beer within style parameters, and
• to increase participation by Auburn Brew Club members in Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) sanctioned competitions.

Brewing Program Levels

Brewers advance through the program by demonstrating their ability to produce beers that accurately reflect the characteristics of world beer styles as defined by the BJCP guidelines.

• Beginner: Everyone starts out as a beginner. Savor the excitement of learning how yeast works, dreaming about building your system, recognizing flavors in beer and all the other first steps a homebrewer takes. There will always be plenty of enjoyment, but this stage can be the most intensely fun. And it can last for years if you aim toward mastering even the most difficult styles.
• Recognized Brewer: To reach the “recognized” level, a brewer must be credited with producing beers from 6 of the major BJCP categories. At least 1 of these must be a lager and at least 1 of these must be an ale.
• Accomplished Brewer: To reach the “accomplished” level, a brewer must be credited with producing beers from 12 of the major BJCP categories. At least 2 of these must be lagers and at least 2 of these must be ales. Beers credited to a Recognized brewer count toward this obligation.
• Master of Brewing: To reach the “master” level, a brewer must be credited with producing beers from every major BJCP category. Beers credited to an Accomplished brewer count toward this obligation.
• Master of Brewing 2nd Degree: To reach this level, a brewer must be credited with producing beers representing 26 additional styles beyond those credited for the “master” level. A club service component is also required to advance to this level. This will include, but not be restricted to, a demonstration of the brewer’s knowledge of world beer styles and technical aspects of homebrewing.
• Grand Master: To reach this level, a brewer must be credited with producing every style of beer, mead and cider currently included in the BJCP style guidelines (currently 98). Beers credited to a 2nd Degree Master brewer count toward this obligation. A club service component is also required to advance to this level. This will include, but not be restricted to, a demonstration of the brewer’s knowledge of world beer styles and technical aspects of homebrewing.

Awards and Recognition

A certificate will be presented to the brewer upon fulfillment of the requirements necessary to reach a level in the program beyond Beginner. In addition:

• Upon reaching the level of Accomplished Brewer, the participant will receive a pint glass customized to indicate he is an Auburn Brew Club Accomplished Brewer.
• Upon reaching the level of Master Brewer, the participant will receive a customized polo-style shirt indicating he is an Auburn Brew Club Master Brewer.
• Upon reaching the level of Master Brewer 2nd Degree, the participant will receive a customized hoodie-style sweatshirt indicating he is an Auburn Brew Club Master Brewer 2nd Degree.
• Upon reaching the level of Grand Master, the participant will receive a customized fall/winter jacket indicating he is an Auburn Brew Club Grand Master.

These awards serve as the club’s acknowledgement of the brewer’s achievement and as a means of thanking the brewer for participating in the program.

Guidelines

• The Auburn Brew Club Program for Mastering World Beer Styles is for members of the Auburn Brew Club only.
• All Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) styles (beers, meads and ciders) are included in the program.
• To receive credit for a specific style, brewers must receive a score of at least 30 for that style in a BJCP sanctioned homebrew competition. According to the BCJP:
  • A score ot 30-37 is Very Good (Generally within style parameters, some minor flaws)
  • A score of 38-44 is Excellent (Exemplifies style well, requires minor fine-tuning)
  • A score of 45-50 is Outstanding (World-class example of style)
• Credit will be given for beers entered in competitions predating the initiation of this program as long as other program guidelines have been satisfied.
• Brewers may work together, but no more than two individuals may receive credit for a single beer. Credited brewers should be involved in all aspects of the brewing process from recipe development through packaging.