12/09/2019

Yesterday, after about three weeks of focused study, I passed the BJCP Cider Entrance Exam, a prerequisite to take the Cider Judging Exam.  This whole process is to gain an endorsement from the BJCP that I am competent to evaluate ciders.  While there is some similarity between beer and cider evaluation, there is perhaps more commonality with wine evaluation.  Or at least its a melding of the two.   Because the BJCP cider endorsement program is so new, there are less than two dozen judges in

11/21/2019

Last March, the BJCP (Beer Judge Certification Program) launched its Cider Judge Program.  The all volunteer organization, which focuses on educating and credentialing both judges and competitions, already had formulated cider style guidelines for competitions and judges to use.  The new Cider Judge Program is a path for BJCP judges to earn an endorsement specific for ciders.  Because the program is  new, very few judges have earned that endorsement - there are only 23 credentialed cider judges

11/10/2019

My friend, Bruce Tammen, is the founder, artistic director and conductor of a fantastic choir in Chicago - the Chicago Chorale.  For years, my wife sang in the Chorale and now serves on the board of directors.  The Chorale performs a wide diversity of programs and often presents religious or liturgical works acapella.   If you are in the Chicago-area, you should seek them out - a Chorale concert is a transcendent way to spend an hour or two.  Their next concert is Sunday, December 15th, 3 pm,