The Rules

Entry Acceptance Criteria

Number of Bottles or Cans Required Per Entry: 3

  • Entry fees will not be refunded. 
  • Entries will not be returned to entrants for any reason.
  • Failure to submit entries properly can lead to disqualification.  Disqualified may still be evaluated by judges at the discretion of competition organizers, but will not be eligible for awards.

Up to two bottles or cans will be used for primary judging and mini-BOS within each category.  A third bottle (if available) will be used for Best of Show judging of entries placing first in their respective judging categories.

Three (3) cans or bottles should be submitted for each entry.  Bottles or cans that fit in a standard-size case box are preferred, but some styles might require the use of heavier glass (Belgian-style bottles, flip-top Grolsch-style bottles, Champagne splits).  As such, entrants are encouraged to use containers (bottles or cans) appropriate for their entries. 

  • Swing top and corked bottles will be accepted. 
  • Large format bottles such as or 24 oz “bombers” or 750 mL bottles will not be accepted. 
  • Bottles should be free of unique or easily identifiable markings.  Bottles with embossed logos are allowed but discouraged. 
  • Printed caps must be blacked out completely. 
  • Completed labels should be printed directly from the entry website and MUST be submitted with all entries. 
  • A label should be attached to each bottle or can using only a rubber band.  Attaching labels with glue and/or tape is unacceptable and could be grounds for disqualification. The competition does not accept responsibility for entries damaged during removal of labels that are not properly attached with a rubber band. 

Please fill out the entry information completely. Be meticulous about noting any special ingredients that must be specified per the 2021 BJCP Style Guidelines. Failure to note such ingredients may impact the judges’ scoring of your entry.

It is the responsibility of the entrant to ensure entries are delivered to an official competition drop off or shipping site prior to the entry deadline.  The competition does not accept responsibility for entries damaged, lost, or delayed in shipping.  Late entries may still be evaluated by judges at the discretion of competition organizers, but will not be eligible for awards.

Inappropriate packaging materials or practices may result in entries being subject to disqualification.

Entry Acceptance Criteria are subject to change.

All questions should be sent to the competition coordinator: garrick@tablestrength.com

Competition Rules

The DÉJÀ BRÜ Homebrew Competition is an BJCP sanctioned competition open to any amateur home brewer age 21 or older.

The focus of the competition is to provide good feedback to all entrants and reward talented beer making. All entries will be judged by at least one BJCP Judge.

The entry fee is $8 per entry (three bottles).  Entry fees are non-refundable.

The competition will be limited to 150 paid entries.

Accepted styles are listed here – https://dejabru.org/accepted-styles/

All entries must be handcrafted products, containing ingredients available to the general public, and made using private equipment by hobbyist brewers.  Entries produced on commercial systems – including wort shares, etc. – are not permitted.  

All entries must be entered under the name of the brewer and all co-brewers assisting with production of entry.

One medal or award will be issued per entry placing 1st, 2nd, or 3rd within its category.  Additional medals or awards will not be provide for co-brewers.

All mailed entries must be received at an official competition drop off or shipping site prior to the entry deadline.  If shipping entries, keep in mind that they will be arriving in Minnesota during winter.  Please plan accordingly to allow for possible shipping delays due to inclement weather.  When packing entries for shipping, place bottles or cans in sealed plastic bags to contain liquid in the event of breakage or leakage.

All entries will be picked up from official drop-off locations per the deadline noted.  Any questions should be directed to DÉJÀ BRÜ competition organizers!  Please do not call, email, FAX, or otherwise inundate the staff at the shipping and drop off sites with questions about the competition.  They have generously offered to help us with receiving entries, but they are not involved with the administration of the competition.

Under no circumstances will walk-in entries be allowed.

Please be sure to check all of the Entry Acceptance Rules prior to submission.

The DÉJÀ BRÜ Homebrew Competition drop off location is not responsible for mis-categorized entries, mailed entries not received by the entry deadline, or entries arriving damaged.

The competition committee reserves the right to combine or split categories based on number of entries. All possible efforts will be made to combine or group similar styles. Combined or grouped entries will be judged according to the style in which they were originally entered. All entries will be judged according to the style in which they were originally entered.  

Qualified judging of all entries is the primary goal of our event. The Competition Coordinator or other qualified person will review elements of beer categories and styles with each judging panel prior to evaluating entries.  

Entries placing first in their judging category will be eligible for the Best of Show (BOS) award.  The Best of Show will be determined by a panel of senior level BJCP judges.

Up to two bottles or cans will be used for primary judging and mini-BOS within each category.  A third bottle (if available) will be used for Best of Show judging of entries placing first in their respective judging categories.  Entrants providing fewer than three bottles of their entry may not be evaluated for Best of Show should their entry win first place within its category. 

All entries become the property of the DÉJÀ BRÜ Homebrew Competition.  Neither entries nor bottles will be returned to entrants for any reason.

The organizers reserve the right to make a final decision about an entry’s eligibility in all cases of dispute.

Competition Rules are subject to change.

All questions should be sent to the competition coordinator: garrick@tablestrength.com