Click Here to go back to the main Brew Slam page.
Competition Rules
First competition? *Check out our BJCP Competition Guide*
This competition is a BJCP sanctioned and open to any homebrewer of legal drinking age. All entries must be made using private equipment in adherence to the homebrewing spirit (i.e., no commercial beer/mead/cider or help from Brew on Premises operations, etc.). Competition volunteers are encouraged to enter!
All entries must be received at the mailing/drop-off locations by the entry deadline. The competition organizers are not responsible for miss-categorized entries, mailed entries that are not received by the entry deadline, or entries that arrived damaged.
The competition organizers reserve the right to combine styles for judging and to restructure awards as needed depending upon the quantity and quality of entries. All possible efforts will be made to combine similar styles. All entries in combined categories will be judged according to the style they were originally entered in. The Award Category breakdown is available Here.
Qualified judging of all entries is the primary goal of our event. Judges will evaluate, score, and provide feedback on each entry. Each flight will have at least one BJCP ranked judge. The Best of Show judging will be determined by a Best of Show panel based on a second judging of the top winners.
This competition will accept Beer, Cider, and Mead from all categories listed in the 2021 BJCP Beer Guidelines (Cider, Mead still 2015). Each participant will be limited 2 entries from Sept 7 - 13, then up to 6 entries starting Sept 14. The overall competition limit of 500 PAID entries (unpaid entries don't count towards the cap). There is a limit of 1 entry per classic style subcategory (1-26, C1, M1), and 2 entries per specialty category (21B, 27-34, C2, M2-M4), provided they are different beers/ciders/meads.
Scoresheets will available for download from the registration software promptly after the results are announced.
Submission Details
*All Entries must be registered through the competition software and properly labeled*
Cost is $15 CAD per entry. The only available payment method is PayPal, and cash/cheques will not be accepted.
When registering entries, make sure to follow the entry instructions (if specified) that are specified in the 2021 BJCP Guidelines. Failure to note key information may impact the judges’ scoring of your entry. However also keep in mind that too much information can also be detrimental. We will not publish entry names that are deemed to be offensive.
Bottle Acceptance Guidelines
Each entry should consist of two 12 oz brown glass bottles. Bottles must be void of all identifying information, especially commercial/home-made labels. Any marked caps must be blacked out. A Bottle ID form must then be attached to each bottle by elastic band (NO tape please).
Note: 12 oz (~355 mL) brown bottles are strongly preferred; however we will also accept green/clear glass/cans/PET, sizes up to 22 oz, and corked/swingtop bottles, if necessary.
Bottle ID labels can be printed by clicking the print icon next to each of your entries on the “Account” -> “Entries” page. Recipe sheets and PayPal receipts are not required. Bottles will not be returned to contest entrants.
Dropping Off Your Entries
If you are a local entrant, there are several drop off locations available. Please check the business hours of the location before going to avoid disappointment. Also, please support those that support us by buying a beer or some homebrew supplies when dropping off!
Drop Off Locations
Toronto Brewing
3701 Chesswood Drive, Unit 115, Toronto
(416) 901-3900
*During regular business hours
Rainhard Brewing
100 Symes Rd, Unit 108, Toronto
416-763-BEER (2337)
*During regular business hours
Muddy York Brewing Company
22 Cranfield Rd, Toronto
(416) 619-7819
*During regular business hours
Shipping Your Entries
Shipping Location
Toronto Brewing
Attn: Brew Slam, 3701 Chesswood Drive, Unit 115, Toronto, ON M3J 2P6
Shipping Tips
If you are from out of town (or province) you will probably want to ship your entries. If you haven't already, consider joining your local homebrew club since they may already organize group shipping for members. Otherwise, here are some general tips for shipping beer in Canada:
- Pack your box with the assumption it will be dropped at some point, lots of bubble wrap and plastic bags are recommended
- Pack your box tightly to avoid the bottles moving around during shipping, don't leave any empty space
- When shipping to other competitions, GTA Brews uses ULINE Pulp Beer Shippers
- They save a ton of time compared to bubble wrapping dozens of entries