The Style of the Quarter (SOQ) is a friendly, internal homebrew competition run for and by members of BAM, four times a year. The style is announced usually in the quarter before they are scheduled to be judged to give everyone a chance to craft something to enter.
The entries are judged by a mixture of BAM officers, members, and BJCP certified judges. Beers are judged based on the BJCP styleguide and score sheets.
Rules & Entry:
Entries should consist of two clean appropriately labeled 12oz capped bottles. The official label that you can print can be downloaded here: https://www.bjcp.org/docs/BJCP_BottleID.pdf. Use rubber bands to attach the labels to the bottles so they can be removed before judging. Having the bottles (including caps) indistinguishable from other members submissions helps for impartial unbiased blind judging.
The drop-off for entries is usually at Oak Barrel Wine Craft in Berkeley unless otherwise stated. Also, please don’t submit any swing top bottles as most likely you won’t get the bottles back from the judging.
Prizes:
1st place is awarded a $50 gift card to OakBarrel. 2nd place gets a $30 gift card, and 3rd place gets a $20 gift card.
Have a suggestion for an upcoming style? Notify the officers since the chosen styles are based off of the members interests.
SOQ3 2021: Oktoberfest
This Q3 we will feature two German lagers that are heavily consumed during the world’s largest beer festival, Oktoberfest! Oktoberfest beer denotes two distinct beer styles that are known for being highly drinkable by the liter: a traditional Märzen lager and a paler Festbier that is now more commonly served. Commercial Oktoberfest beers found in the US are generally of the Märzen style.
Because this SOQ features lager beers, we announced a month early (June) and will close the competition a month late (October 31).
6A: Märzen
An elegant, malty German amber lager with a clean, rich, toasty and bready malt flavor, restrained bitterness, and a dry finish that encourages another drink. The overall malt impression is soft, elegant, and complex, with a rich aftertaste that is never cloying or heavy.
4B: Festbier
A smooth, clean, pale German lager with a moderately strong malty flavor and a light hop character. Deftly balances strength and drinkability, with a palate impression and finish that encourages drinking. Showcases elegant German malt flavors without becoming too heavy or filling.
Slides about these styles forthcoming from the July 8 technical talk with Paul L of East Brother Beer Co.
Have fun making this style in Q3. If you feel like submitting the beer for our friendly, internal competition and/or constructive feedback, please submit 2 clean, unmarked bottles labeled with the BJCP bottle ID form affixed to either Ian’s bottle-share box or OakBarrel by the end of October.
Upcoming SOQ
Past SOQs
- 2021 SOQ 2 – Trappist Ales
- 2021 SOQ 1 – New England IPA
- 2020 SOQ 4 – Black is Beautiful
- 2020 SOQ 3 – Pale Commonwealth Ales
- 2020 SOQ 2 – American Pale Ales (not judged)
- 2020 SOQ 1 – American Porters and Stouts
- 2019 SOQ 4 – Limitations Brewing
- 2019 SOQ 3 – Extinct Beers and Rarities
- 2019 SOQ 2 – Amber and Brown American Ales
- 2019 SOQ 1 – Dark European Lagers and Strong European Beers
- 2018 SOQ 4 – Spice, Herb & Vegetable Beers
- 2018 SOQ 3 – Farmhouse Ales
- 2018 SOQ 2 – European Wheat and Rye Beers (must collaborate with another BAM member)
- 2018 SOQ 1 – Amber Hybrid Beers
- 2017 SOQ 4 – Specialty IPA
- 2017 SOQ 3 – Collaboration Challenge (5SRM or less, use Golden Naked Oats)
- 2017 SOQ 2 – Hazy IPAs with Sea Salt
- 2017 SOQ 1 – Select Scottish Ales and Irish Red
- 2016 SOQ 4 – Old / Stock Ale
- 2016 SOQ 3 – Fruit Beers
- 2016 SOQ 2 – Wheat Beers
- 2016 SOQ 1 – Stouts
- 2015 SOQ 4 – “Jason’s IPA” (winners)
- 2015 SOQ 3 – Smoked Beer
- 2015 SOQ 2 – Rye Beer
- 2015 SOQ 1 – English Pale Ale
- 2014 SOQ 4 – Belgians
- 2014 SOQ 3 – Bocks
- 2014 SOQ 2 – Black and White IPA
- 2013 SOQ 3 – Session Ales
- 2013 SOQ 2 – Extract
- 2013 SOQ 1 – Irish red ale
- 2012 SOQ 3 – IPA
- 2012 SOQ 1 – CA Common
- 2011 SOQ 3 – Cost Challenge
- 2011 SOQ 2 – American Brown
- 2011 SOQ 1 – Dry Stout
- 2010 SOQ 3 – Belgian Strong
- 2010 SOQ 2 – IPA
- 2009 SOQ 4 – Mild
- 2009 SOQ 3 – Altbier
- 2009 SOQ 2 – West Coast Pale
- 2009 SOQ 1 – MaiBock
- 2008 SOQ 3 – Kolsch