_______________________
Director of Strategy and Special Projects
kelly@growandfortify.com
o: (410) 252-9463 ext 105 / m: (410) 830-9741
Eligibility
This competition is BJCP sanctioned and open to professional brewers in the State of Maryland who are members of the Brewers Association of Maryland (BAM).
Entry Registration
All entries must be registered on this website no later than 1 September 2017 at midnight. Any entries registered after that time will be disqualified and are not eligible. Brewers are limited to a maximum of ten entries. A maximum of one entry per category is allowed with the exception of the Local Ingredient category. Entries brewed with locally (Maryland) sourced ingredients may be entered in the appropriate style categeory *and* the Local Ingredient category. Please note that this category will require 100% local ingredients in 2018.
Entry Drop-Off
Entries may be dropped off at Calvert Brewing Company Production Brewery & Taproom (http://www.calvertbrewingcompany.com) during business hours, now until September 2, 2017.
Dropped off entries will be stored under refrigeration from acceptance until the judging sessions commence.
All entries must be dropped off between August 15 and September 2. Any entries dropped off prior to the drop-off window, or after, are not eligible.
Judging
Entries will be judged in the 17 categories listed below. However, the competition organizers reserve the right to create additional categories, or combine categories, as necessary based on the entries received. In all cases, awards will be conferred to the deserving entries in each category regardless of combining or collapsing that may occur to balance judging panels.
The Best of Show judging will be determined by a Best of Show panel based on a second judging of the top winners from the first round.
Entry Categories
Pale Ale – BJCP categories 18A, 18B, 11A, 11B & 11C
American IPA – BJCP 21A
Specialty IPA – BJCP 21B
Double IPA – BJCP 22A
Sour Beers and American Wild Ales – BJCP 28A, 28B & 28C, 23A, 23B, 23C, 23D, 23E, 23F & 27 (Gose)
Smoked or Wood-Aged – BJCP 32A, 32B, 33A, 33B & 6B
Specialty and Experimental Beers – BJCP 34B & 34C
Fruit Beers – BJCP 29A, 29B & 29C
Spiced Beers – BJCP 30A, 30B & 30C
Pale Lager and Pilsner – BJCP 2A, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D & 7C
Amber, Dark Lagers and Bocks – BJCP 3C, 3D, 4C, 6A, 6C, 7A, 8A, 8B, 9A & 9B
Porters and Stouts – BJCP 13C, 16A, 16B, 16C, 16D, 20A, 20B, 20C, 15B & 15C
Wheat Beers – BJCP 1D, 10A, 10B & 10C
Strong Ales – BJCP 17A, 17B, 17C 17D, 22B, 22C & 22D
Belgian Style Beers – BJCP 24A, 24B, 24C, 25A, 25B, 25C, 26A, 26B, 26C & 26D
Local Ingredient – Any style listed above brewed with locally (Maryland) sourced ingredients. This category will require 100% local ingredients in 2018.
Bottles
Bottles are accepted and preferred as an entry vessel type. Each entry must consist of 12 to 22 ounce capped bottle or corked bottles that clearly identifies the entry including labels and/or embossing. Printed caps are allowed.
12oz brown glass bottles are preferred; however, green and clear glass will be accepted. Swing top bottles will likewise be accepted as well as corked bottles.
A minimum of four (4) 12 oz bottles must be provided per entry.
Cans
Cans are accepted and preferred as an entry vessel type. Each canned entry must consist of a sealed can that clearly identifies the entry, including labels.
12 oz cans are preferred; however 16, 22, or larger cans will be accepted.
A minimum of four (4) 12 oz cans must be provided per entry.
Growlers and Crowlers
Growlers and Crowlers are accepted; they are not preferred but accepted. Each entry must consist of a 16 to 64 ounce sealed growler/crowler that clearly identifies the entry including labels, tags, or stickers.
A minimum of 48 ounces of beer must be provided per entry. While a single growler/crowler may be provided, entrants should recognize that once opened, the quality of the beer growler/crowler can rapidly diminish. Therefore, entrants should consider smaller growlers/crowlers to minimize oxygen exposure and maximize freshness.
Paperwork
All requisite paperwork must be submitted with each entry and can be printed directly from this website. Entry paperwork should be attached to bottles, cans and growlers by the method specified on the label.
Be meticulous about noting any special ingredients that must be specified. Failure to note such ingredients may impact the judges’ evaluation of your entry.
Bottle / Can / Growler Returns
Neither bottles nor cans will not be returned to entrants. An effort will be made to return growlers in a timely fashion.
Those earning medals, as well as Best in Class winners, will be announced in a press release leading up to the Baltimore Craft Beer Festival. During the festival, all winners will be recognized and Best of Show awards will be presented by the Comptroller.
Awards Placement
Awards will be conferred to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place entries deserving such awards in each category.
Scoresheets
Scoresheets will be emailed to competition entrants, after winners are announced, upon request.