FAQ: General - Look Here First

What is Better Beer Scores and how will I benefit by taking the course?

This Craft Beer U flagship course consists of a series of live, interactive webinars designed to help participants study for, pass and score higher on the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) Examination. It will give students insights into BJCP beer style guidelines, ingredients, and brewing processes for each style. The course will also help students become better homebrewers.

How long is the Better Beer Scores course?

The course will be conducted over 12 weeks with a two-hour session each week. The schedule will be adjusted for holidays and instructor availability.

How often will classes be given?

We are currently scheduling based upon registration numbers, open dates, and time zone-specific starting times.

Will a Better Beer Scores course be cancelled or posponed for any reason?

Since a 12-week webinar series involves a substantial allocation of resources, we reserve the right to cancel or postpone any class that does not reach minimum enrollment. We go to great lengths to avoid this and will work with you to reschedule you or make other arrangements.

Additionally, an individual class session may be posponed at the discretion of the course facilitator due to illness, etc.  The course facilitator will make every effort to contact participants to inform of the change.

How many students will each class have?

Each class size will have 25 students or fewer.

What time do the classes start?

Most classes will be in the evenings. Our goal is to not go past 10:00 p.m. for the majority of students in a particular class depending on the time zone that they reside in.

Will I need to study or do homework outside class time?

Yes. There is a lot of information that the BJCP exam taker needs to retain in order to get a passing or better score. Better Beer Scores is NOT a “cram for the exam” program. We operate on the principle that full student comprehension of the material is the best way to score well on the exam.

If I have to miss a session how can I make it up?

Although the course is a live interactive webinar, each session is recorded and available online for a specific period of time in case students miss a class session or wish to review.

Will we be tasting craft beer styles? Will there be tasting homework?

“Yes” is the answer to both questions. We will review all major styles during the sessions and taste selected brands during class sessions. However, due to time constraints, students will need to taste some of the subcategories at home or at their local beer bar. We suggest students taste beers with like-minded friends to discuss the qualities of the beer.

Do you have a list of craft beers that we need to purchase and have on hand for each class session?

Yes. We will provide students with the list of suggested beers when upon enrollment in Better Beer Scores. If students cannot find certain brands in their area, we will provide a list of craft beer retailers for students to contact that will ship to legal destinations.

How will we taste off flavors or other sensory elements?

We will supply students with a list of sensory samples that can be made up at home and that is also found on the BJCP web site. Students can also purchase a sensory kit through the BJCP or Siebel Brewing Institute.

Is this course designed to help someone improve their current BJCP score?

Yes. The Better Beer Scores course is designed for the first-time exam-taker as well as anyone who wishes to advance their current BJCP ranking.

What materials will I need?

Check our Resources section for links to required and optional materials. It is also suggested that you have a binder to keep all your printed study materials together.

I understand that the BJCP will be changing the way they will be conducting tests. What will be the changes and when will it be taking effect?

The BJCP is scheduled to introduce the new format towards near the end of 2011. Please see this explanation from the BJCP and go to the BJCP Exam Center for current information. We are fully aware of the new format and will adjust our curriculum as needed.

Will you provide a testing location once the course is completed?

No. There are many tests being given in different locations and dates conducted by many different organizers. Students will need to contact these organizers directly to secure their exam spot. Please go to the BJCP website for more information.

Do you have any discount pricing for homebrew clubs or groups?

Yes. Our group pricing starts at 10% off the regular price of $249 for a minimum of five people.  The discounts go up from there depending on how many total people sign up.  It is also possible for club members to participate in groups; the fee is based on how many of the maximum 25 spots in a given course offering are purchased. 

If I sign up for the initial discounted rate and cannot take the class right away, will I be able to take it later?

If you received a confirmation email by pre-registering for the Better Beer Scores course by the August 18, 2011 deadline, we will honor this initial rate for any single Better Beer Scores course offered in 2011.

The $249 enrollment fee seems like a lot of money. Why so much?

We have found that the wine communities have quite a few specialized scholastic programs that offer similar types of online programs. We feel that our price structure is quite reasonable at about $20 per class. This is less than half the cost is of comparable online wine education programs.

I may find it difficult to pay the $249 Better Beer Scores tuition all at once.  Will you be offering any type of payment plan?

Yes. We want to make the course as accessible to as many people as possible who wish to take it. We currently are able to take payment via credit card or PayPal prior to the start of the class.  In the future, we will offer payment plans that will be spread over multiple payments. These would involve a portion of the fee at registration with the remaining balance due in equal payments over time.

Do you offer any guarantees?

We have two:

• After the first two class and before the third class is held, students have the option, for whatever reason, to request in writing a full refund.  After the start of the third class, no refunds will be offered.
• If individuals do not score a minimum of at least 60 as a combined test score, they can retake the course again within a 12-month period at no additional charge.

What is your policy on retaking the course?

Students can retake the Better Beer Scores course at any time after successfully completing the course for $65 based on space availability. If individuals wish to reserve a class spot, the fee is $125.00.

Can I take individual sessions? 

Yes, based on space availability.  If an individual has already taken the course, and there is available space for a particular session, the cost of each session will be $15. If an individual has not taken the full course, the cost is $25.

The format confuses me a bit. Are we all going to teleconference together on some web site and over the phone or Skype or what?   

Beer Judge Education leverages the powerful GoToTraining platform, an online training service that provides on-screen visuals in a “virtual classroom” setting. For the audio portion, students can either dial in by phone or connect through a computer via voice over internet protocol (VOIP) using a microphone and headphones. For more information on GoToTraining, visit their support site.

What will I need to take the course?

All students will need a computer, an Internet connection, and either a telephone with a headset or a microphone and headphones (built-in or stand-alone) to connect through a computer for the audio feed.  Visit GoToTraining’s support site for more information including recommendations for audio.

Can a Macintosh be used for the training?

Yes, the GoToTraining service supports both PC and Macintosh formats.  Visit the service’s support site for system requirements.

What are the instructors’ credentials to be able to facilitate the course?

All instructors are BJCP-certified judges who have assisted organizing and judging in many competitions - including Best of Show rounds and the first and second rounds of the NHC. We are all advanced homebrewers as well and competition medal and ribbon winners. The three instructors have been, or are currently, professional trainers, program designers, educators, and coaches. This is important to our students. In order to get maximum value from a course such as Better Beer Scores, instructors must have strong teaching skills and a command of the material being presented. Visit our website to our instructor bios.

Will you be offering any other types of classes such as beginner’s or advanced homebrewing, or a course about different craft beer styles?

In addition to our Better Beer Scores program, we are in the process of developing an online course curriculum that will include classes for beginning to advanced homebrewers. Likewise, we will be creating courses for the non-homebrewing craft beer enthusiast.