This BJCP-certified home-brew beer competition will take place on Wednesday, September 3rd, 2025, with an entry deadline of Midnight, 15 Aug 2025.
Entry Fee: $5 Per Beer (Max 3 entries per participant)
BJCP Categories: Judging will be in the following 6 general categories:
American IPAs (BJCP Category: 21A)
Hazy IPAs (BJCP Category: 21C)
International Lagers (BJCP Categories 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
Dark Ales (BJCP Categories: 13, 15B/C, 16, 20)
Sour Ales (BJCP Categories: 23, 28) Category 28 includes fruited sours
Belgian/German Ales (BCJP Categories: 9, 10, 24, 25, 26)
*IMPORTANT*: Refer to the linked Style Guidelines to know which category (and how to list your beer) for entering: https://www.bjcp.org/beer-styles/beer-style-guidelines/ (Double check your selected style and compare it against the characteristics of your beer before you submit it. This will help your score and feedback).
To allow us to complete the judging over a single day and provide detailed feedback on submissions, entries will be capped at 48 (8 per style). Click this LINK to enter. (See below for Judge’s Details)
Our major focus for the homebrew side of this competition is to provide brewers with detailed, useful feedback on their submitted beers, as well as to help build our local community of homebrewers. Detailed e-mailed versions of the scoresheets will be returned to participants within a week of the announcement of results.
Competition Rules and Notes:
- Only Six General Categories will be judged. See above.
- Each Category is capped at 8 beers.
- Each Home brewer can enter up to 3 different beers. For each entry, the fee is $5 and requires 3 bottles (2 for 1st Round judging, 1 for Best of Show).
- Mis-categorized beers will be judged in the Category in which they are entered.
- Detailed Scoresheets will be emailed back within a week of the competition.
Homebrew Competition Awards
Medals will be awarded for the Homebrew Competition for first through third place in each category. Additionally, a trophy will be awarded for Best of Show. This trophy will be called the “Ogopogo’s Cup.” Thanks to generous donations from our sponsors, we are able to offer prizes for everyone that places. The Best in Show winner will receive a bottle of reserve Whiskey from Gambrinus Malting, as well as 300g of hops from Myrtle Meadows, AND a GC from That Homebrew Store!
Awards Ceremony
We will hold an Awards Ceremony (more than likely) during the opening night of the Kelowna Beer Week.
JUDGE’S DETAILS:
Hiroshi Tsukada, BJCP Judge (#A1142) – Nationally Ranked since 2023. Hiroshi is the Reserach and Development brewer from Parallel 49 in Vancouver. He is in charge of recipe development and pilot batch brewing.
Mike Bordick, BJCP Judge (#D0958) – Nationally Ranked since 2010 (Certified in 2010), Brewing since 1995.
James Clark, BJCP Judge (#F0593) – Nationally Ranked since 2016 (Certified in 2011), Brewing since 1996. (Certified in 2011)
Darren Binnema, BJCP Judge (#A1483). Recognized since 2023. Darren is an experienced brewer and craft beer professional based in British Columbia. He works with YDBEVCO, the parent company of Neighbourhood Brewing and Yellow Dog Brewing, where he brings a deep knowledge of brewing processes and beer quality. A BJCP Recognized Judge, Darren is passionate about style accuracy, innovation, and community in craft beer. He’s excited to be part of this year’s homebrew competition and to support the next generation of brewers.
Other Judges – TBD.
Simply Beer 