Exam Focus
- Distinguish earning the Cider Judge rank or endorsement from advancing through beer-judge ranks.
- Apply impartiality, blind judging, confidentiality, conflict, recusal, and professional conduct to cider assignments.
- Choose the proper competition authority for procedural decisions instead of acting unilaterally.
Core concept
New judges who pass the practical exam become members with the Cider Judge rank; existing beer judges receive an endorsement. Cider exams do not advance the graduated beer ranks.
Judging and study application
Apply ethical rules in scenarios: recuse from connected entries, preserve anonymity, avoid unauthorized reclassification or disqualification, and protect exam content.
Why It Matters
- A specialty designation documents cider judging proficiency but does not bypass beer-rank requirements.
- Scenario decisions are incomplete when they identify a sensory concern but ignore confidentiality or role authority.
Practical Sensory Exercises
Write a cider recusal script
For a flight containing a cider from an orchard you advise, write the private notice to the head judge, the information you would not disclose, and the point at which you leave sensory discussion.
Key Terms
- Cider Judge rank
- Single rank for a member qualified through the cider path.
- Endorsement
- Cider designation for an existing beer judge.
- Recusal
- Withdrawal because impartiality cannot be assured.