If you are willing to judge or steward, please return to register on or after Saturday 21 March, 2026 9:00 AM, AEDT.

Rules & Information

1. Maximum of one entry per style within each category per brewer. The beer style nominated must be a designated style for the category, as listed in the Entry Acceptance  Rules. Entry instructions for Cat.4 Saisons require that the entrant must specify the strength (table/standard/super) and the colour (pale/dark). With reference to Cat 6 Belgian Speciality Ale, this a catch all for a Belgian style beer not u any other described Category/Styles and will typically be an artisanal or experimental beer. The brewer must specify on the entry form either: the beer being cloned, the new style produced, or include special ingredients or processes used. A sufficient description is required to allow judges to
properly judge the beer. The organisers reserve the right to reclassify a beer to a listed style.
2. Style guidelines used are BJCP 2021 Style Guides for Cats 1-5 and 2008 Style Guide for Cat 6 - available at www.bjcp.org .
3. One bottle only per entry (750 ml preferred) with a minimum size of 500 ml. Cost $7.00 per entry. 
4. Judging will be by blind tasting. Beers styles within a Category will be scored against BJCP Style Guidelines. (See Item 2.)
5. Judges decision will be final. Completed judging sheets will be returned to entrants.
6. Prizes will be awarded for: the three overall highest scoring beers in each Category, the ‘Champion Beer of Show’ award and the ‘Best Novice
Brewer’ award.
7. Tied placing’s will be separated by applying the following criteria in order until a winner is found:
a) highest score for "overall impression";
b) highest score for "flavour";
c) smallest spread in total scores (smallest difference between highest and lowest scores);
d) the tie stands.
8. Champion Beer and Best Novice will be based on the highest number of judging points received for any beer, with rule 6 to be invoked in the
event of a tie.
9. Best Novice Trophy is open to Victorian entrants who have not placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd in previous VicBrew accredited competitions.
10. Presentations for Belgian Beerfest to be made by 5 pm on the day of the event.

BJCP 2021 / 2025 Judging Styles

Indicates that the style's entry limit has been reached and no more entries of that style will be accepted.

Judging Sessions

Belgian Beerfest 2026: Morning
Sunday 17 May, 2026 9:00 AM, AEST

Belgian Beerfest 2026: Afternoon
Sunday 17 May, 2026 1:00 PM, AEST

Best of Show

Best of Show award will go to the highest scoring beer entered in the competition.

Awards

The awards ceremony will take place once judging is completed.

Places will be awarded to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each category/table.

Additional prizes may be awarded to those winners present at the awards ceremony at the discretion of the competition organizers.

Awards Ceremony

Hard Road Brewery
31 Holloway Drive Bayswater
Sunday 17 May, 2026 3:00 PM, AEST