There are a great many questions about the judging standards used by IKBG during competitions, and what is required in each area. This page is meant to answer some of the more common questions.
What is meant by "Documentation"?
Documentation covers what you did to create your beverage, which includes the recipe and the process/procedure. This information helps immensely in the judging because it allows the judges to critique and provide feedback on things that can improve the product. This may be minor tweaks to the hops, malt, spices, or flavorings, or may be some significant changes in the process and procedure being used. Not every brewer can stay for the competition, and even if they do stay and explain everything they used and did, the judges like to refer back to the information as they are evaluating various aspects of the product.
Why don't I have to create documentation like the type that is normally used in SCA A&S competitions?
IKBG competitions are NOT and have NOT EVER tried to be an "A&S" competition. The IKBG is not interested in trying to match, replace, or supplant any kingdom's A&S competition. The IKBG is primarily about whether the brewer can make a quality beverage. The SCA, in all the various A&S competitions, is focused on "period" stuff. However, this also means that a brewer who "experiments" or is "creative" with the ingredients and/or processes is usually penalized in their score. The IKBG, being focused on the product's "drinkability", provides a place for a brewer to have their beverages evaluated by other brewers that are focused on the product, rather than the documentation and "authenticity" of the beverage. This provides a complementary aspect to the normal judging that happens in an A&S competition. Again, it is not intended to replace, supplant, or even match any A&S competition.
A&S competitions are primarily interested in the authenticity of recipes, processes, tools & techniques, and ingredients. The IKBG isn't. Not really. Yes, it can make the final difference between an 8 or 9 in documentation and a 10, but it doesn't make up the bulk of the documentation score. Additionally, documentation doesn't make up truly significant portion of the overall score for the beverage.
So you are telling me that I don't have to create a "period" beverage?
The simple answer to this very astute question is "Yes, you are correct. It is possible (however unlikely) to get 98 or 99 out of 100 for a completely non-period beverage."
What is meant by "Presentation"?
Presentation is exactly that... how is the products "presented" at the competition. Presentation has several aspects to it.
- Information on the label
- Proper fill
- Appropriate bottle
- Appropriate cap
Maybe it is too easy to get 10 points for presentation and we might consider changing the percentages, but it has worked pretty well so far. We have seen the following problems.
We aren't trying to be overly hard or nit-picky, but if you aren't proud enough of your beverage to present it appropriately, then you will lose a few points.
I have a question that isn't answered here. How do I find out that information?
Send an email to the IKBG Guildmaster