Judges from the BJCP (Beer Judge Certification Program) organization are the ones who are in charge of judging any professional beer drinking contest.

This organization first came to Baja in 2011 for the Baja Beer Fest that was held in Ensenada, and had the author of "How to Brew" John Palmer as a special guest at the event in Ensenada.The Baja Beer Fest is the biggest beer event in the entire state, that takes place each year and in three different cities which are Ensenada, Tijuana, and Mexicali.

The beer awards are only given in one city though, and with this type of event and the increased variety of beer makers like the Tijuana Homebrewer Club, it has put the region on the BJCP map.

At the beginning of this year the Tijuana Homegrowers Club (THC) was formed, whose main activities are to taste beer, make beer, talk about beer, and also review styles of beer and their recipes to improve them.

They meet only once a month at the Tijuana Beer Box and their objective is just to make great homemade beer without any commercial purpose or interest.

To become a BJCP judge is not something very simple.

There is a course which you must go through to train your taste buds to be able to detect different flavors and distinguish them, after that there is an exam you must take and if you pass it, then you become a certified BJCP judge thanks to the Homegrowers club.

Anyone who is interested in becoming a judge should contact Ryan from the Coronado Brewing Co.

There is a 6-8 month course that is being planned to start soon, but there has not been a time, date or place set yet or the cost for certification.

This course will be held once a week and will be certifying local judges, so keep an out of for more information.

With the presence of BJCP in the state this will avoid flight fees and exaggerated event fees to cover, and by having BJCP judges now here, this is without a doubt is a big step towards achieving a higher quality standard for beer making.

The BJCP was founded in 1985, and has given 6,858 exams, which only out of that only 4,072 of those who took the exam have passed it and been certified.

Out of all of those who have been certified, about 633 have a national ranking or greater status.

Judges from this organization have judge more than 753,000 beers since they began and still counting.

For more information you can send an email to: tijuanabeerblog@gmail.com and in the subject box put "I want BJCP".

Also if you want to join the Tijuana Homegrowers Club, look them up on Facebook.

AlanCastorena@gmail.com

Translation : Omar.Martinez@sandiegored.com