I have been a member of the villages home brewers' club for about five years now, even before we moved here. After a couple of years I stopped going because I just never found time to brew some beer even though I had a couple of kits. I was feeling guilty for tasting beer without bringing any and because they started going to 'The World of Beer' after the meetings and I wasn't interested. Paul also stopped going about the same time. Last year they started a competition where members would brew beer and compete against each other at a local craft brewery. The winning beer would be brewed and sold at the brewery over the next year. I couldn't attend last year but with the call for judges this year I found the time. Having never judged before, I offered my services and they were happy to have me. I didn't request a particular category and was willing to help were ever I could. Last week the assignments came and out and I, with one other judge, had the specialty 2 category containing: Irish Red Ale, Old Ale and Double IPA. Since I don't particularly like IPA I was concerned. Since you aren't judging how much you like the beer, but rather how well it matches the characteristics of that beer as far as appearance, aroma, flavor, mouthfeel and overall impression is concerned. I felt capable but still concerned. My fellow judge, Dave from Wisconsin, brews beer regularly and favors an IPA. We tasted our beers and discussed our impressions but did not discuss scores until they were marked and were surprised by how close they were. Based on our scores the Double IPA moved to the next level where the owners of the brewery judged the finalists. And lo and behold the Double IPA won the night.