Czech Brew Star Organizational Rules

Academic Oversight of the Competition

Czech Brew Star is supported by Mendel University in Brno, which is involved, among other things, in educating future brewers and developing competencies in sensory analysis and food evaluation.

Key Features of the Competition

A defining feature of Czech Brew Star is the involvement of municipal and state-run brewing schools that educate future brewing professionals. Students from these schools can measure their skills in a separate “Schools” subcategory, which is part of the main Czech Pale Lager category.

Environmental Responsibility of the Competition

The competition aims to minimize its environmental impact. Leftover beer samples are used efficiently and packaging is recycled according to valid environmental standards. From the 2025 competition, a beer distillate named “Johanovice” was created using 269 samples—likely a European record for the number of beer samples used.

Every participating brewery will receive a Sustainability Certificate (ESG), which confirms that their beer samples were used to produce the distillate, thus reducing their carbon footprint and extending the life cycle of the raw materials. This document can be used for corporate social responsibility and sustainability communication.

Who Can Participate

The competition is open to all breweries from around the world, regardless of their size or ownership structure. This includes so-called “gypsy” or “contract” breweries that do not own their own production facilities, as well as brewing schools—from vocational and high schools with graduation certificates to universities.

Judging According to International Beer Judge Certification Program Rules

The Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) is an international organization that focuses on certifying beer judges and standardizing beer styles.

Judging according to BJCP rules ensures a systematic and objective approach to beer evaluation. Each beer is judged individually in five key categories: appearance, aroma, flavor, mouthfeel, and overall impression. Points are awarded on a scale that reflects the degree of adherence to the style and the presence of any faults or defects. After judging is complete, the judge writes a note with specific recommendations or praise for the sample’s strengths. Thanks to the point scale and detailed descriptions, it is easy to compare the quality and stylistic accuracy of individual samples.

Awarding in Competition Categories

In each competition category, a silver or gold medal can be won. The category winner will receive the Diamond Czech Brew Star medal. More than one brewery can receive the Diamond award in a given category in case of a tie in points.

Competition Categories

• Non-alcoholic beer < 0.5% alc/vol – unflavored
• Non-alcoholic beer < 0.5% alc/vol – flavored
• Low alcohol beer 0.5 – 2.5% alc/vol – unflavored
• Low alcohol beer 0.5 – 2.5% alc/vol – flavored
• Czech Light Draft Lager 9 – 10.9° Plato
• Czech Pale Lager 11 – 11.9° Plato
• Czech Premium Pale Lager 12 – 12.9° Plato
• Czech Strong Pale Lager >13° Plato
• Czech Amber Lager 10 – 15.9° Plato
• Czech Dark Lager 10 – 15.9° Plato
• Weissbier
• Dunkles Weissbier
• Weizenbock
• Munich Helles
• Festbier
• Helles Bock
• German Pils
• Vienna Lager
• Blonde Ale
• American Pale Ale
• British Golden Ale
• American IPA
• Specialty IPA
• Hazy IPA (NEIPA)
• Double IPA
• Stout/Porter
• Foreign Extra Stout
• Irish Extra Stout
• Irish Stout
• American Stout
• Imperial Stout
• Oatmeal Stout
• Sweet Stout
• Tropical Stout
• English Porter
• Baltic Porter

Requirements for the Competition Beer

Only unfiltered and unpasteurized beers can be entered into the competition. A competing brewery can enter a maximum of three samples in each category. Beers must be delivered in glass bottles, aluminum cans, or PET containers.

Sample Registration

Entries must be registered through the online registration form (here). The brewery submitting the samples must fill in all mandatory information, select the competition category for each sample, and pay the registration fee. An email confirmation will be received, along with automatically generated labels containing information about the registered samples.

• Registration is subject to a fee, and payment is a condition of participation. The amount of the registration fee and the registration options are listed in the Sample Registration section on www.czechbrewstar.com.
• In the event of a capacity limit being reached, the order of entry will be determined by the time of the properly identified payment (variable symbol) being credited, along with the properly submitted registration.
• If the capacity is exceeded and payment arrives after the limit has been reached, the organizer will refund the corresponding registration fee to the payer within 30 days.

Mandatory Labeling and Sample Quantity

Each sample must be labeled with the competition label containing the data you provided, which will be sent to you by email. It will include the name of the brewery/company/school, sample number, category, and any subcategory. Print out and cut the label, and attach it to the container—ideally with a rubber band around the bottle or can, or with adhesive tape or glue. Any manual additions or corrections will not be accepted. The labels for bottles, cans, or PET containers will be sent to you automatically by email. You must send a minimum of two samples per entry, for a total minimum volume of 1000 ml (e.g., 2×500 ml, or 4×330 ml).

Responsibility for Sample Designation

Each competing brewery is responsible for correctly assigning the sample to the prescribed category.

If an entered beer does not correspond to the listed category or is incorrectly assigned, it will be judged as “out of style.” The sample will still be judged and receive verbal feedback, but the final points will not be included in the competition ranking, and the beer cannot win a medal.

School Competition Samples

Within the Czech Premium Pale Lager 12–12.9° Plato category, schools whose students have produced and entered a competition sample as part of their studies will also compete. These samples will be judged together with other beers in the category and will receive a full point score. At the same time, they will be included in a separate “Schools” ranking, in which the top three schools will be awarded a special diploma. A competition sample can be entered into the “Schools” category exclusively through an official school representative (e.g., a teacher, vocational training head, practice coordinator, or other authorized person). The school, as a legal entity, is fully responsible for the accuracy of the application, sample delivery, and payment of the registration fee.

Competition Flow

Beer judging is performed by a three- or five-member tasting panel according to international BJCP rules. The panel of experts will professionally evaluate the submitted sample, identify its strengths, and note any defects. The head of the tasting table will record the final point score on the evaluation form. The maximum number of points a sample can receive is 50, which is then multiplied by two (for a final score of 0–100).

Tasting Panel and Judges

The judging panel consists of expert tasters, brewers with extensive experience, certified judges, and experts actively working in brewing, sensory analysis, or education. Representatives from the hospitality or retail industries may also be included in the panel if they have completed specialized tasting training organized or recognized by Beer Academy s.r.o.

Internationally Recognized Qualifications (examples):

• BJCP (Beer Judge Certification Program, USA) – the standard for judging beers in competitions.
• Cicerone® Certification Program (USA) – a globally recognized certification focused on beer service, style knowledge, and sales.
• Doemens Academy (Germany, Munich) – Diplom-Biersommelier title (European standard).
• Beer Academy (UK) – training and certification in beer tasting and service.
• Institute of Brewing & Distilling – IBD (UK) – professional exams (General Certificate in Brewing, Diploma in Brewing).

Local/Regional Education (examples):

• Czech Republic/Slovak Republic: VÚPS, Mendel University, selected breweries (e.g., Biersommelier courses in cooperation with Doemens).
• Germany/Austria: Doemens, Akademie der Bierkultur, regional brewing schools (“Biersommelier” certificate is a common standard).
• Belgium: universities (Leuven, Ghent), Guild of Beer Sommeliers, training in cooperation with breweries.
• Spain/Italy: Escuela de Cata de Cerveza (ES), Unionbirrai Beer Taster (IT).

Judges register via the website www.czechbrewstar.com. Registration is approved by the organizer, and the taster is informed of the result by email within 72 hours. Every taster is obligated to familiarize themselves with the competition’s code of ethics, the observance of which is a necessary condition for participation.

Each panel works with three to five members and judges anonymously marked samples according to BJCP rules. The organizer makes every effort to prevent conflicts of interest (e.g., a brewer not judging their own beer). However, it cannot be completely ruled out that a taster might recognize a beer by its sensory characteristics. If a taster recognizes a sample, they must immediately inform the steward; the organizer may replace the taster for that sample. In such a case, the taster is obligated to act impartially and adhere to the code of ethics; upon proven violation, they may be removed from the panel.

The taster declares that they have familiarized themselves with the rules for judging beers according to the BJCP methodology outlined in the Czech Brew Star internal manual, which is based on publicly available sources. HERE

Awards for Breweries

Breweries will receive feedback in the form of a score:

• Silver Medal: 70–85 points
• Gold Medal: 86–100 points
• Diamond Award: The winner of a given category with the highest score (provided they also achieve a gold medal).

Limitation of Awarded Beers

The number of medals is limited based on the number of samples entered in a category. Medals are awarded according to the following key:

• 101 or more samples: 40 medals
• 100–76 samples: 30 medals
• 75–51 samples: 20 medals
• 50–26 samples: 15 medals
• 25–1 samples: 10 medals

If a smaller number of samples are entered, categories may be merged or canceled.

Rights to Use Awards

The right to use the Czech Brew Star medals belongs exclusively to Beer Academy s.r.o., which can grant a license to the awarded breweries provided they meet the stipulated conditions.

The right to use the mark applies to the awarded beer (brand/style) for a period of 3 years from the official announcement of the results. The competing brewery may use the Czech Brew Star medals and visuals for marketing purposes for a period of three years, but only for the awarded beer. Detailed formal conditions will be sent to the competing breweries by email.

Transfer of Rights and Prohibition of Misuse

• Any use of the medals on a sample that has not been awarded is expressly forbidden.
• The transfer of medal rights to third parties is not permitted.
• In the event of the sale or transfer of a brewery, the license to use the medals can only be transferred to the new owner with the consent of the organizer.
• Any modification of the visual appearance of the medals is forbidden.
• Any use of the medals other than for a sample that won a Czech Brew Star award in a given year is forbidden.

In case of a violation of these rules, the organizer has the right to revoke the medals without compensation and demand the payment of a contractual penalty of €12,000 within 30 days of receiving written notification.

Free Use of the Czech Brew Star Award

After the official announcement of the results, you will receive a complete graphic package (logotypes and visuals) that you can use for unlimited promotional activities without any additional fees. This includes:

• Printed materials: brochures, flyers, posters, roll-ups, banners, product catalogs, packaging materials (e.g., cartons, crates).
• Online channels: websites, newsletters, online advertising, e-shops and product catalogs.
• Social networks: posts, cover/photo banners, paid campaigns, videos, reels and stories.
• Press and PR outputs: press releases, PR articles, media kits, professional publications and trade fair catalogs.
• Presentations and events: PowerPoints, company presentations, trade fair stands, tasting events, festivals, conferences, training, and workshops.
• Merchandising: promotional items (t-shirts, glasses, openers, etc.), gift packages, POS materials (coasters, stands, poster frames).
• Internal communication: email signatures, intranet, annual reports, internal presentations for employees, recruitment materials.
• Audiovisual materials: corporate videos, spots, podcasts, presentations on digital kiosks or screens in establishments.

License Fee for Using Medals on Samples

There are two ways to mark successful beer samples with Silver, Gold, or Diamond Czech Brew Star medals:

1. Graphic Files for Labels
   • Annual fee: €49 for the use of the classic Czech Brew Star medal visuals.
   • The first year of the license is free, starting from the official announcement of the results.
   • What’s included: unlimited use of the graphic visuals of the medals on the labels of the competition samples.
   • How to proceed: Order a license to use the visuals and place the downloaded graphic files directly on your beer label.
2. Printed Stickers (on a roll)
   • Minimum order: 2,000 stickers per roll.
   • The first year of the license is free, starting from the official announcement of the results.
   • How to proceed: You choose the type of medal (Silver, Gold, or Diamond) and order the required number of stickers, which will be delivered on a roll ready for application. Shipping is not included.

The official diploma presentation will take place within two months of the end of the competition at Mendel University in Brno. The organizer reserves the right to change the location. Participants will be informed of the exact date and location via email, Czech Brew Star social networks, or on the www.czechbrewstar.com website.

Only the results of a submitted sample that has won at least a silver medal will be published. The published information will include the competing brewery, the category, and the award (silver, gold, or diamond medal). The exact score will not be published. The results will be published within 30 days of the official announcement by the competition organizer.

Timeline (Unified for 2026)

• Sample Registration: October 1, 2025 to January 31, 2026
• Sample Payment: by January 31, 2026 (with a grace period of T+2 days – see below)
• Sample Delivery: January 19 to February 2, 2026
• Tasting Competition: February 6, 2026
• Results Announcement: February/March 2026

Sample Payment Deadline

Entered samples must be delivered and paid for within the specified deadlines. Registration is only valid after the organizer has received confirmation of the registration fee payment.

If the payment is not credited to the organizer’s account by January 31, 2026, a grace period of T+2 days is provided. If the fee is not paid even within this period, the sample will be disqualified from the competition without compensation, and the submitted beer will be disposed of (or returned by agreement, with the participant bearing the cost).

Maximum Number of Entries

The organizer has set a maximum capacity of 500 competition samples for the 2026 competition. Once this limit is reached, no further beers can be registered, regardless of the registration deadline. The order of entry is determined by the time of receipt of a properly completed registration and the crediting of the payment with a valid variable symbol.

If payment arrives after the capacity has been filled, the organizer will refund the fee within 30 days.

Sample Delivery Location

For courier or personal drop-off: Agronomická fakulta, Mendelova univerzita v Brně Zemědělská 1665/1 613 00 Brno Czechia, Evropa

Drop-Off Contact Person (for courier use only): René Pelota Tel. +420 776 486 945 – do not call this number for shipping information.

Personal drop-off is possible exclusively at the gatehouse of building A of Mendel University.

Labeling the Sample Box

To secure the samples in the box, you can:

• Use a sturdy cardboard box that is slightly larger than the samples.
• Divide the space between the bottles/cans with dividers or wrap each one in bubble wrap.
• Fill any empty spaces with impact-resistant padding (bubble wrap, paper flakes, or Styrofoam).
• Securely close the box with adhesive tape.

This will ensure the samples are not damaged during transport.

Visibly mark the box with “Czech Brew Star 2026” in large letters on at least two places. The label will be sent to you automatically by email.

Sample Storage

Upon delivery, the samples will be stored in closed refrigerated boxes in the dark at a constant temperature of approximately 6 °C. Upon receipt, the organizing team will:

• Sort them by competition category.
• Register them in the electronic database (sample number, brewery, category).
• Check the condition of the packaging, the correctness of the labels, and the volume of the contents.

The organizer is not responsible for any damage to samples during transport.

Return of Packaging and Samples

The organizer will carefully sort the beer sample packaging and prepare it for recycling. The beer samples themselves will not be returned to participants. They will be used for sustainable activities associated with the Czech Brew Star tasting competition, such as the production of a beer distillate, or for other purposes.

Billing Information and VAT

All prices listed on this website are exclusive of 21% VAT.

Payment for registered samples is made to the account of:
LabiChem spol. s r.o., Višňová 632, 664 82 Říčany u Brna, Czech Republic, Europe
Company ID: 09147900
VAT ID: CZ09147900
VAT Payer

When making payment, please state the assigned variable symbol specified in your order.

Bank Account for CZK Payments

Account number: 2301807405 / 2010
IBAN: CZ09 2010 0000 0023 0180
BIC/SWIFT: FIOBCZPPXXX

Bank Account for EUR Payments

Account number: 2801875754 / 2010
IBAN: CZ37 2010 0000 0028 0187
BIC/SWIFT: FIOBCZPPXXX

Additional Fees

Administrative adjustments requested by the participating brewery are charged at 5 EUR per sample.
Requests for changes should be sent by email to info@czechbrewstar.com.

Diploma Shipping

If a brewery representative cannot attend the award ceremony in person, we offer the option of shipping diplomas to the chosen delivery address. Diplomas are usually dispatched within 14 days of receiving payment for shipping and packaging.

• Czech Republic: 250 CZK (10 EUR)
• EU: 600 CZK (25 EUR)
• Cyprus, Malta, Ireland, Iceland, island states, or countries requiring air transport: 1,500 CZK (75 EUR)

Feedback on Registered Samples

Each participating brewery will receive a detailed protocol by email, comparing its sample with the winning beer in the same category.
If feedback is requested, it can be ordered additionally — the service is charged at 6 EUR per sample and will be provided within 60 days of the official announcement of results.

Personal Data Protection

The organizer of the Czech Brew Star competition, Beer Academy s.r.o., processes participants’ personal data in accordance with GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation, EU 2016/679). Personal data will be used exclusively for the purpose of organizing the competition, including communication with participants, processing results, publishing winners, and sending important competition-related information.
Participants may raise an objection under Article 21 GDPR at info@czechbrewstar.com (or to the designated GDPR contact).

Promotional and Media Rights of the Organizer

The organizer is entitled to create and use photographs, video recordings, and the logos of participating breweries for promotional purposes and for the competition’s media presentation. Details are specified in the GDPR section at www.czechbrewstar.com.

Competition Cancellation and Sample Loss

If the competition is cancelled due to force majeure (e.g. pandemic, natural disaster) or organizational reasons (such as an insufficient number of registered samples or judges), registration fees will be fully refunded. Delivered samples are not returned and will be disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner.

The organizer is not responsible for additional costs related to participation, such as transport, customs fees, taxes, sample insurance, or other expenses. Participants will be notified of any changes or cancellation of the competition in due time via email, social media, or the website www.czechbrewstar.com.

Appeals

he decisions and results of the tasting jury are final and cannot be appealed. Any disputes will be settled under the laws of the Czech Republic.

Changes to Competition Rules

The organizer reserves the right to amend or supplement these rules at any time without prior notice. The current version is always available on the competition website www.czechbrewstar.com. Participation in the competition constitutes acceptance of the rules in their current form.

Competition Language

The official languages of the competition are Czech and English. In case of discrepancies or uncertainties, the Czech version of the rules and documentation shall prevail.

Acceptance

By participating in the competition, the participant agrees to these rules and the use of their personal data to the extent necessary for the competition. The organizer reserves the right to change the competition rules without prior notice.

We thank our partners, without whom the competition would not be possible:

• Data and analysis: www.pivnidata.cz
• Graphic design: www.jindradavid.cz, www.geniusnoci.cz
• Website: www.bigbranding.sk
• Mendel university www.mendelu.cz