On Brewing Competitions, Competitors, Rules and Ethics
Accidentalis Brewing
by Matt
1w ago
We need an honest and direct discussion about brewing competition. I’m not intending to call out anybody or organization here. I sincerely have no dog in this hunt, besides my small competition history and how it made me work harder. Of course. As a homebrewer, I am mainly focused on amateur beer, mead, cider, and wine competitions, which often also have a commercial or professional track. Here in 2024, competition stakes are very high, and success is critical to promoting the hobby, which is shrinking in a very stark manner. Multiple national competitor groups, such as the Master Homebrewer P ..read more
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Improving BJCP Tasting Exam Scores – REDUX
Accidentalis Brewing
by Matt
2y ago
    This is a follow-up to my article: Improving Your BJCP Tasting Exam Scores. While most of the feedback has been positive, there have been several contacts that claim I didn’t really go deep enough. So to that end, I have revised and dug a bit deeper. I just recently completed another round of grading and hopefully can provide more insight. There are a few common Examinee mistakes that are easily addressed and should ensure a fairly easy shot at an 80 score. This is pretty straightforward advice that applies to any BJCP Beer/Cider/Mead Tasting exam. Another disclaimer. I am not re ..read more
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“Guile Brews” by Peter Symons – a review
Accidentalis Brewing
by Matt
2y ago
I always feel it is essential to start a book review with a disclaimer.  Peter Symons did not give me this book in exchange for a review. I bought this, like many of my brewing books, to support a friend. I consider Peter Symons a friend, although our interactions have been limited to share pints at HomeBrewCon, attending his seminars, and the occasional social media exchange.  In my opinion, he’s a pretty good bloke. “Guile Brews” is a historical treatise on the brewing traditions of Cornwall, Ireland, and England. This reasonably narrow region of focus allows a deep dive into brew ..read more
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When Perfection is the Enemy of…
Accidentalis Brewing
by Matt
2y ago
With the exit of 2020 and a horrible start of 2021 behind us, I feel the need to address some of the issues hampering my brewing over the past few years and the resulting lack of regular content for Accidentalis.com. Hopefully, this will be cathartic for me and perhaps relatable for you. Excellence has always been a high priority in everything I take on. I have allowed Obsession with Excellence to replace what should be positive. Excellence is demonstrated not through Perfection but rather through adapting to challenges and failures and applying those lessons. Obsession turns that trend toward ..read more
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Improving your BJCP Tasting Exam Scores
Accidentalis Brewing
by Matt
2y ago
This is a followup to my article: Judging and the Anatomy of a Scoresheet. I have started grading BJCP tasting exams (working toward Master) and have noticed a few common issues that are easily addressed and should ensure a fairly easy shot at an 80 score. What follows is pretty straightforward advice that applies to the BJCP Beer/Cider/Mead Tasting exams. Another disclaimer. I am not representing the BJCP in any way. I am fortunate to be BJCP National ranked, with a Mead Endorsement. What I write here is my opinion, nothing more. My strategy requires just a little bit of analysis of the 2018 ..read more
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Over Complicated Home Brewing, Going Electric
Accidentalis Brewing
by Matt
2y ago
If there is a theme to my personal homebrewing career, I over complicate everything. It is in my personality to over-engineer, and sometimes my solutions are laughable. That said, after letting my brewing lapse for the past year, I am looking for a new start and a solution to two main issues.  The problems to address: brewing in the summer heat in Central Texas, and chilling wort. Of course, this is less an issue in the winter down here, but if both can be addressed efficiently, brew sessions will be that much better. The goal is to have a comfortable place to brew and have a consist ..read more
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Walkthrough – Bru’n Water Subscriber Edition, V 5.3
Accidentalis Brewing
by Matt
2y ago
The Bru’n Water Spreadsheet is a tool to help manage your mash and water chemistry in your brewery. Over the years, Martin Brungard has made many refinements to the spreadsheet and incorporated highly detailed features. While the spreadsheet and water chemistry can be daunting, once you understand the basics and use the sheet a few times, it becomes straightforward. Do not be intimidated, take the walkthrough! As a subscriber to Bru’n Water Spreadsheet, I received this edition of the spreadsheet at the end of July 2018. It does take time for Martin Brungard to notify everyone, so be patient. V ..read more
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“Guile Brews” by Peter Symons – a review
Accidentalis Brewing
by Matt
3y ago
I always feel it is essential to start a book review with a disclaimer.  Peter Symons did not give me this book in exchange for a review. I bought this, like many of my brewing books, to support a friend. I consider Peter Symons a friend, although our interactions have been limited to share pints at HomeBrewCon, attending his seminars, and the occasional social media exchange.  In my opinion, he’s a pretty good bloke. “Guile Brews” is a historical treatise on the brewing traditions of Cornwall, Ireland, and England. This reasonably narrow region of focus allows a deep dive into brew ..read more
Visit website
When Perfection is the Enemy of…
Accidentalis Brewing
by Matt
3y ago
With the exit of 2020 and a horrible start of 2021 behind us, I feel the need to address some of the issues hampering my brewing over the past few years and the resulting lack of regular content for Accidentalis.com. Hopefully, this will be cathartic for me and perhaps relatable for you. Excellence has always been a high priority in everything I take on. I have allowed Obsession with Excellence to replace what should be positive. Excellence is demonstrated not through Perfection but rather through adapting to challenges and failures and applying those lessons. Obsession turns that trend toward ..read more
Visit website
Improving your BJCP Tasting Exam Scores
Accidentalis Brewing
by Matt
5y ago
This is a followup to my article: Judging and the Anatomy of a Scoresheet. I have started grading BJCP tasting exams (working toward Master) and have noticed a few common issues that are easily addressed and should ensure a fairly easy shot at an 80 score. The strategy is pretty straightforward advice that applies to the BJCP Beer/Cider/Mead exams. My strategy requires just a little bit of analysis of the 2018 BJCP Grader’s Guide. The exam requires the analysis and writing of scoresheets for 6 beers, meads or ciders, in a 90-minute limited timeframe. If we carefully look at the scoring mech ..read more
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