TOPIC:

I would favour generalised awards. At the moment there just aren't enough examples of some styles to make categorised awards meaningful; as was previously mentioned we could have the same winner every year in less represented styles. That may well change in the future and this could then be reflected. I think that as many beers should be tried by as many judges as possible as weight of numbers is the only way to overcome personal bias.

Having a separate Beer of the Year and Beer of the Festival is a great idea.

[quote:4ipj37o5]The list as is presented was voted on at the festival, the proper graphics were an 'after thought'.
[/quote:4ipj37o5]It's important to stress that the opinions and awards were genuine and were formed on the day. Following on from that I think it is fair game for a brewery to use an award - virtual or not - for some press coverage.

"TheBeerNut":bsgc7ort wrote:

"noby":bsgc7ort wrote: a 'Beer of the festival/special recognition to someone who made an extra effort' award?
[/quote:bsgc7ort]Great idea, but I think it should be kept totally separate from the other awards and judged on different criteria: innovation, size of the brewery etc., as well as the taste. Declared by consensus according to the 2007 rules, perhaps? <!-- s:) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt="" title="Smile" /><!-- s:) -->[/quote:bsgc7ort]

no probs there. recognition is always a good thing for specialty beers

&amp;quot;bigears&amp;quot;:pdycz8kd wrote: I would favour generalised awards. At the moment there just aren't enough examples of some styles to make categorised awards meaningful; as was previously mentioned we could have the same winner every year in less represented styles. That may well change in the future and this could then be reflected. I think that as many beers should be tried by as many judges as possible as weight of numbers is the only way to overcome personal bias.
[/quote:pdycz8kd]

looking at the amount of beers from last year it looks like there was some healthy competition from most styles and with the categories as i saw them during the munster meet up it seemed to me that there were at least two competitors in each field except maybe cask ale which i am unsure of. this year hopes to draw even more beers and until the final list is known im keeping my mind open. remember like with beer Quality speaks more than Quantity as noby mentioned earlier us icber's should pride ourselves on our objective opinion to overcome bias. (i know it was i who first mentioned bias but noby made a very valid point)

&amp;quot;beeristhereason&amp;quot;:232tw10d wrote: remember like with beer Quality speaks more than Quantity[/quote:232tw10d]Democratically speaking, and with datasets like this, quantity [i:232tw10d]is[/i:232tw10d] quality <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D -->

Are there any considerations given to, for example (but not limited to),
- number of free tshirts given,
- take home samples for further research (or of course prior research if applicable)
- pens
- beer mugs
- recipe details
etc etc
?

&amp;quot;kenmc&amp;quot;:3e1awidq wrote: Are there any considerations given to, for example (but not limited to),
- number of free tshirts given,
- take home samples for further research (or of course prior research if applicable)
- pens
- beer mugs
- recipe details
etc etc
?[/quote:3e1awidq]This is entirely up to the conscience of the individual judge. If the awards reach the stage where brewers are offering us inducements for voting points then we must be doing something right.

Size L for me.