Beer Forum

Is anyone else slightly disappointed with the check box style score sheets from the NHC competition this year? I realize that some changes were needed to help streamline the process, but the feedback from NHC judges were something I always looked forward to receiving. Some judges did their best to give feedback this year, in the limited space, but most just checked the boxes and moved on. Those sheets are pretty useless to me, unfortunately, since they give me no help as to how I can actually improve my score.

With the higher cost to enter and the reduced feedback on entries, the comp lost a lot of value for me. I've entered for about five years, and I'm not sure if I'll do it next year. Maybe that's what the AHA is looking to do - reduce the number of people competing. I can certainly look for other comps to get feedback, but it's a shame to lose it in the biggest comp of the year. First world problems, definitely, but I'm still disappointed to see the change.

Agreed, I judged this year and was disappointed to have to use them. It took me a couple of flights to really get used to them and get out of the trap of just checking boxes. The next time I have to use them, I plan to write in comments first and check the boxes after that.

I agree. I was very disappointed to learn we had to use them.

It is hard to do one of these right. I find it takes me much longer to produce a good checkbox sheet than the normal format.

This would be great information to pass on to Justin, Kim Wood, and the other Governing Committee members so it can be addressed for next year.

I would definitely had entries move on to the 2nd round if they used the other sheets!

I don't believe that the NHC is meant for gaining good feedback. While in the past I have always appreciated comments and ways to improve, keep in mind they are looking for the best beers in the region and then of course the country.
If you want good feedback then be sure to enter local comps which still use the normal comment scoresheets.

brewinhard wrote:I don't believe that the NHC is meant for gaining good feedback. While in the past I have always appreciated comments and ways to improve, keep in mind they are looking for the best beers in the region and then of course the country.
If you want good feedback then be sure to enter local comps which still use the normal comment scoresheets.

I agree that, now, the NHC is not at all about feedback. That definitely hasn't been the case in the past though. I've received some great feedback in previous years. The NHC attracted better judges than the other local comps, and their feedback helped me make better beers. If the NHC is now just about scoring, as I said earlier, it's a shame and a loss.

I personally think there are many better comps than the NHC as far as judging/feedback goes. The midwinter HBC is one of the better run competitions IMO.

Now the mini-BOS that's something I'm in favor of getting rid of

NervousDad wrote:
Now the mini-BOS that's something I'm in favor of getting rid of

And replace it with what?