How is beer clarity assessed by BJCP judges?

Assessing beer clarity by noting haze or cloudiness is a fundamental part of evaluating the appearance of a beer. Judges examine the visual characteristics of the beer, which includes observing whether it is clear or hazy. A clear beer indicates proper filtration and sedimentation, while haze can suggest issues such as yeast suspension or the presence of proteins that have not settled.

Clarity is an important attribute that can indicate the beer's style and brewing process, as certain beer styles are expected to be clear while others are traditionally more hazy. This visual evaluation helps judges assess whether the brewery followed the appropriate methods for the beer style being judged and contributes to the overall impression of the beer’s quality.

Other choices involve different aspects of beer assessment. Measuring alcohol content pertains to the beer’s strength but does not directly relate to clarity. Evaluating aroma strength focuses on the beer's scent and flavor profile rather than its visual appearance. Checking foam stability deals with the head formed by the beer when poured, which, while it does contribute to overall appearance, is not a direct measure of the beer's clarity. Thus, noting haze or cloudiness is the correct method for assessing clarity in beer judging.