BABBs mini-competitions are run six times a year at our regular meetings, and they are great fun!

We judge entrants at communal tables together with the guidance of more experienced judges. The mini-comps are more about getting unbiased feedback on your brew, and learning about beer evaluation than winning.

Each mini-comp has a limited theme or style category such as IPA, Belgian, or Wheat Beers. Members find that this is great for pushing them out of their comfort zone, and encouraging them to brew new styles. Mini-comp style guidelines are set by the committee each year, and published with our calendar of events in the November newsletter for the following year.

Scroll down to see this year’s Mini-comp style guide.

Information for Entrants

Members and non-members alike may participate in the mini-comps, non-members cannot win places and prizes but receive unbiased feedback about their beer. Simply bring your beer along, and fill out an entry form on the night.

Mini-comp entries must be entered according to the designated mini-comp style guidelines – see below. Those entered out of style will be judged accordingly.

Members can ender more than one beer, but must nominate only ONE beer to contribute towards scoring – additional beers can be entered for be feedback only.

The Ernie Melville Trophy

Named after our founder, this award is for the Most Consistent Brewer of the year. Club members can win prizes for placing in each mini-comp, and go in to the running to win the coveted Ernie Melville Trophy for overall performance throughout the year.

The Most Consistent Brewer award is now calculated as follows: The top six places in each mini-comp get points toward the award. Six points for first place, five points for second, and so on till one point for sixth place. The brewer with the highest points at the end of the year wins.

The mini-competitions are run by our chief steward, assisted by the committee. Their decision on competitions matters is final.

Mini Comp Style Guide 2023

January:Lagers
June:Porters and Stouts
3BCzech Premium Pale Lager
9CBaltic Porter
3CCzech Amber Lager
13CEnglish Porter
3DCzech Dark lager
15BIrish Stout
4AMunich Helles
15CIrish Extra Stout
5DGerman Pils
16ASweet Stout
6BRauchbier
16BOatmeal Stout
7AVienna Lager
16DForeign Extra Stout
8AMunich Dunkel
20AAmerican Porter
8BSchwarzbier
20CImperial Stout
X5New Zealand Pilsner


February:Pales, Bitters, & Browns
August: Belgians
11AOrdinary Bitter
23BFlanders Red Ale
11BBest Bitter
24AWitbier
11CStrong Bitter
24BBelgian Pale Ale
12ABritish Golden Ale
24CBiere de Garde
12BAustralian Sparkling Ale
25ABelgian Blonde
13ADark Mild
25BSaison
13BBritish Brown Ale
25CBelgian Golden Strong
15CIrish Red Ale
26ATrappist Single
18BAmerican Pale Ale
26BBelgian Dubbel
19AAmerican Amber Ale
26CBelgian Tripel
19BCalifornia Common
26DBelgian Dark Strong
April: IPAs
October:Octoberfest
12CEnglish IPA
4BFestbier
21AAmerican IPA
4CHelles Bock
21BBelgian IPA
5AGerman Leichtbier
21BBlack IPA
5BKölsch
21BRed IPA
6AMärzen
21BRye IPA
6CDunkles Bock
21BWhite IPA
7BAltbier
21BBrut IPA
9ADopplebock
21CHazy IPA
10AWeissbier
22ADouble IPA
10CWeizenbock
29CSpecialty Fruit IPA
23ABerliner Weisse

For details see BJCP 2021 guidelines: https://www.bjcp.org/style/2021/beer/

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