Should strong scents from the environment or other judges be reported to the competition organizer?

Reporting strong scents from the environment or other judges to the competition organizer is crucial because these odors can significantly influence the evaluation of the beers being judged. Strong environmental scents—such as food aromas, cleaning products, or even strong colognes—can interfere with a judge's ability to accurately assess the aroma profile of the beer. Since aroma is a key component of beer evaluation, any external factors that could alter a judge's perception should be addressed to ensure the competition's integrity and fairness.

Effective communication with competition organizers about these distractions allows them to take necessary actions, such as relocating judges or minimizing sources of interference. This helps maintain a controlled environment conducive to accurate judging, which is essential for the credibility of the competition.