The way we judge, of course, varies from category to category but there is one common factor – all judging is done blind, with the identities only being revealed after the competition is finished.

In all categories, we will be selecting a Winner - who will receive the guaranteed listing in Tesco - and a Runner-Up.

BEER AND CIDER

NATIONAL JUDGING
Round One

Within each category, each product will be tasted blind by a team of 4-5 judges, each of which scores individually as follows:

Judges are also given Product Information Sheets for each product to ensure that they have access to all relevant information.

The scores for each product will be totalled, an average taken and the scores will be checked by the Organisers.

The top 5 scoring products/top 5% (whichever is the greater) will go through to Round 2.

Round Two
A panel of 5 experts will blind taste and score each product within the category. At the end of each category, the scores will be totalled, an average taken and checked by the Organisers. The Judges will use this information to vote for a Winner and Runner Up in each category.

REGIONAL JUDGING

Eight regional beer judging sessions will be held, attended by our regional buying teams and local experts and press. At each regional session, the best beer and runner-up across all categories will be selected, with both being offered a guaranteed listing at a regional level in Tesco stores. Products will be judged against the same criteria, and in the same way, as detailed above.

Wines, Spirits and Other

Once all products have been received, they are organised into relevant groups and flights for comparative tasting. The judging will take place in two stages. Round One, where the top 5 scoring products/top 5% (whichever is the greater) are put through to the next stage and Round Two, where the overall Winner and Runner-Up in each category is selected.