Eight brewers from ACB brewed different BJCP styles for a competition against the North East Homebrew Club based in and around Newcastle. After two swaps in a garden centre car park and shipping nearly 150 bottles of beer up and down the country, tasting and judging was completed in May.
We had some great beers, my favourites being the Tropical Stout from ACB, Scottish Export from Newcastle and both Porters. Each week the brewers met on different meeting platforms to sample the beers, chat about themselves and their recipes and taste two styles. This scientific study of meeting platforms resulted in Skype being preferred for these meetings.
Each week the brewers voted for their favourite in each style and at the end of the month scored the challenge a dead heat 3-3 with two beers tied.
Three BJCP judges also tasted and scored the beers – these were the important scores that decided the best homebrew club… On the final evening the scores were revealed with Newcastle winning 5-3. We had lots of discussion on the last night about the differences between judges scoring and brewer opinions but had one of the judges on hand to explain which was brilliant and insightful.
Thanks to the judges for the time and expertise in judging these fine beers and to the brewers for brewing them.
One final note – the highest scoring beer by the judges was crafted by ChatGPT (average score was 44). In all fairness the brewer did then use his skill and experience to adapt the recipe into a great beer.
| Beer Style | Winning Club | ||
| Name | Code | Brewers (for fun) | Judges (for glory) |
| English IPA | 12C | Newcastle | ACB |
| Rye IPA | 21B | Tie | ACB |
| Altbier | 7B | Tie | Newcastle |
| Tropical Stout | 16C | ACB | ACB |
| Vienna Lager | 7A | ACB | Newcastle |
| Scottish Export | 14C | Newcastle | Newcastle |
| Helles Exportbier | 5C | ACB | Newcastle |
| English Porter | 13C | Newcastle | Newcastle |
If you would like to take part in future club challenges keep an eye on the website and other ACB communication platforms. These are great events allowing you to brew and sample different styles of beer and meet like minded home brewers.