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,

11/03/2019

Join Jeff Whelpley and I for the second in our 2019/20 series of BJCP workshops.  The workshop is on Wednesday night, November 20th, 6:00 pm at Great Central Brewing (Wood and Walnut Streets, just a couple of blocks from the Ashland or Damen buses, or the Ashland Pink/Green Line station.)   RSVP for the workshop here.  Deadline for RSVPs is Monday, November 18th.   This workshop will focus on German and Czech lager styles.  We will talk through the styles, then taste and evaluate four