Beer Judge Job Description [Updated for 2025]

In the world of craft and specialty beverages, the focus on beer judges has never been more prevalent.

As the craft beer industry evolves, the demand for skilled connoisseurs who can evaluate, appreciate, and critique our brews becomes more significant.

But let’s delve deeper: What’s truly expected from a beer judge?

Whether you are:

• An aspiring beer enthusiast trying to understand the essence of this role,
• A competition organizer outlining the perfect candidate,
• Or simply captivated by the intricate art of beer judging,

You’re in the right place.

Today, we present a customizable beer judge job description template, designed for effortless posting on job boards or competition sites.

Let’s dive right into it.

Beer Judge Duties and Responsibilities

Beer Judges play a significant role in beer competitions, evaluating and scoring beers based on their sensory qualities and compliance with style guidelines.

Their work is essential in maintaining quality standards within the brewing industry.

Beer Judges have the following duties and responsibilities:

• Evaluate and score beers based on appearance, aroma, flavor, mouthfeel, and overall impression
• Provide detailed feedback and constructive criticism to brewers
• Compare the beer to defined style guidelines to determine if it meets the criteria
• Participate in panel discussions to reach a consensus on scores and awards
• Keep up-to-date knowledge about a wide range of beer styles
• Attend training sessions and workshops to improve judging skills and knowledge
• Maintain ethical standards, avoiding conflicts of interest and judging beers objectively
• Assist in setting up, cleaning up, and general organization of beer competitions

 

Beer Judge Job Description Template

Job Brief

We are searching for an experienced Beer Judge to join our team.

The Beer Judge will be responsible for tasting and evaluating a variety of beers based on appearance, aroma, flavor, body, and overall impression.

The ideal candidate is knowledgeable about different beer styles, brewing techniques, ingredients, and possesses an excellent palate and a keen sense of smell.

This professional should be able to offer in-depth reviews and provide constructive feedback to brewers.

 

Responsibilities

• Evaluating beers based on appearance, aroma, flavor, body, and overall impression
• Providing in-depth reviews and constructive feedback
• Maintaining knowledge of different beer styles and brewing techniques
• Remaining unbiased in all evaluations
• Participating in beer competitions and festivals
• Staying updated with the latest trends in the beer industry

 

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Beer Judge or similar role in the brewing industry
• Extensive knowledge of different beer styles and brewing techniques
• Excellent taste and smell abilities
• Ability to remain unbiased in evaluations
• Certified by a recognized beer judging organization is a plus
• Good communication and report writing skills
• Must be of legal drinking age

 

Benefits

• Travel opportunities to various beer competitions and festivals
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Retirement plan
• Paid time off

 

Additional Information

• Job Title: Beer Judge
• Work Environment: The work environment often involves pubs, breweries, beer festivals, and competitions. The nature of the job might require frequent travel.
• Reporting Structure: Reports to the Lead Beer Judge or Beer Evaluation Manager.
• Salary: Salary is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.
• Pay Range: $30,000 minimum to $60,000 maximum (part-time or full-time depending on the employer)
• Location: [City, State] (specify the location or indicate if remote)
• Employment Type: Full-time or Part-time, depending on the organization
• Equal Opportunity Statement: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
• Application Instructions: Please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your qualifications and experience to [email address or application portal].

 

What Does a Beer Judge Do?

A Beer Judge plays a vital role in the beer industry, mainly in competitions and festivals where various types of beer are being assessed and ranked.

They are experts in tasting beer, understanding its components, and recognizing the different brewing processes.

They assess the beer’s characteristics such as the aroma, appearance, flavor, and aftertaste.

Beer Judges provide a detailed review and scoring of each beer based on certain criteria, including its adherence to style guidelines.

These guidelines are usually defined by the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) and include various beer styles, from traditional ales and lagers to more experimental brews.

Besides judging, they are also responsible for providing constructive feedback to brewers on how they can improve their products.

Although many Beer Judges are volunteers, some are professionals who may be certified through a recognized program such as the BJCP.

They are often passionate about beer and have an in-depth knowledge of the brewing process, the different styles of beer, and the history of brewing.

Their role is not only important in competitions, but also in promoting quality in the beer industry and encouraging brewers to continually improve their products.

They also assist in educating the public about the complexity and variety in beer styles and brewing processes.

 

Beer Judge Qualifications and Skills

A proficient beer judge should have the qualifications and skills that align with the role’s requirements, such as:

• A strong knowledge of beer styles, brewing processes, and ingredients to accurately evaluate and categorize beers
• Excellent sensory skills to detect and identify distinct flavors, aromas, and characteristics of different beers
• Strong verbal and written communication skills to provide clear, concise, and constructive feedback to brewers and competition organizers
• A high level of objectivity and fairness to provide unbiased judgments and ranking of beers
• Basic mathematical skills for scoring purposes and calculating beer statistics, such as alcohol by volume (ABV)
• Ability to work well in a team environment, often judging in panels where collaboration and consensus are required
• Awareness of and adherence to competition standards and ethical considerations
• Certification from a recognized beer judge program, such as the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP), is highly beneficial

 

Beer Judge Experience Requirements

To become a beer judge, one must have a substantial amount of experience and knowledge in beer tasting, brewing processes, and understanding different beer styles.

This knowledge can be gained through various means such as home brewing, attending beer tasting events, and working in the brewing industry.

Starting as a beer enthusiast or a home brewer can provide practical experience in understanding the nuances of different beer styles, ingredients, and brewing techniques.

This is often the first step towards becoming a beer judge.

Advanced experience can be gained by attending certified beer judging courses or exams such as those offered by the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) or Cicerone Certification Program.

These programs will equip candidates with formal knowledge on beer judging principles, sensory evaluation techniques, and feedback provision.

Furthermore, experience in working within the craft beer industry, for instance, as a brewer, beer educator, or tasting room manager could also be advantageous.

Candidates with more than 3 years of experience in these roles have usually honed their sensory evaluation skills, developed a refined beer vocabulary, and have gained a deep understanding of beer styles and brewing processes.

Those with more than 5 years of experience may have judged in several beer competitions, and may even have led judging panels.

This experience is often necessary for high-level beer judging roles and being recognized as a National or Master Beer Judge in the Beer Judge Certification Program.

 

Beer Judge Education and Training Requirements

Becoming a Beer Judge requires a deep understanding of the brewing process and various beer styles, which can be gained through personal study, professional experience in the brewing industry, or formal education in brewing science.

The Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) offers a recognized certification for those interested in beer judging.

To achieve certification, individuals must pass an online entrance exam followed by a tasting exam, demonstrating their knowledge of beer styles and brewing processes, as well as their ability to accurately assess and describe beer characteristics.

Continued education is key to maintaining certification, which can be accomplished through participation in beer competitions and judging events or by studying new developments in brewing science.

While not required, a background in food science, chemistry, or a related field can be beneficial for understanding the complexities of flavor development and the science behind brewing.

Also, good communication skills and a discerning palate are invaluable assets for a Beer Judge.

 

Beer Judge Salary Expectations

The salary for a Beer Judge varies greatly and is often not a full-time role, but a supplementary income or hobby.

Some Beer Judges may volunteer their services for free, while others may receive a small stipend per event, typically around $50-100 (USD).

More experienced Beer Judges who have built a strong reputation in the industry could potentially earn more.

Some judges may also receive benefits like free accommodation and travel expenses for international competitions.

This job often comes with perks like free beer tasting at events.

However, the income may vary based on the frequency of competitions, location, and the judge’s level of expertise.

 

Beer Judge Job Description FAQs

What skills does a Beer Judge need?

Beer Judges should have excellent sensory skills to detect subtle flavors and aromas in various beers.

They should also have a deep knowledge of beer styles and brewing techniques.

Good communication skills are essential to clearly articulate their findings and judgements.

They should also be ethical and impartial when judging.

 

Do Beer Judges need a degree?

While a degree is not necessary to become a Beer Judge, having a degree in food science, brewing, or a related field can be beneficial.

More importantly, Beer Judges need to pass the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) exam, which certifies their beer tasting and judging skills.

 

What should you look for in a Beer Judge resume?

A Beer Judge’s resume should show a deep passion and knowledge about beer.

Certification from the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) or equivalent is a must.

Experience in judging at beer festivals or competitions is also valuable.

Any brewing experience, either professionally or as a hobby, is an added bonus.

 

What qualities make a good Beer Judge?

A good Beer Judge should have a great palate and a keen sense of taste and smell.

They should be well-versed in different beer styles and the complexities of brewing.

Impartiality and objectivity are key qualities since they should judge each beer on its merits rather than personal preferences.

They should also be able to handle alcohol responsibly and not get intoxicated while judging.

 

How can one become a Beer Judge?

Aspiring Beer Judges should start by studying beer styles and brewing techniques.

They should also practice tasting a variety of beers and identifying their flavors and aromas.

Once ready, they should take the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) exam.

Gaining experience by volunteering at beer festivals or competitions can also be helpful.

 

Conclusion

So there you have it.

Today, we’ve uncorked the mystery behind what it means to be a beer judge.

And guess what?

It’s not just about sampling brews.

It’s about understanding and appreciating the art of brewing, one sip at a time.

With our go-to beer judge job description template and real-world examples, you’re ready to take the plunge.

But why stop there?

Deepen your understanding with our job description generator. It’s your next step to crafting succinct job listings or refining your resume to perfection.

Remember:

Every sip is part of a bigger tasting journey.

Let’s embark on this journey. Together.

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