Under what condition may a judge disqualify an entry during evaluation?

A judge may disqualify an entry during evaluation primarily if it has an improper bottle or cap. This condition is important because proper packaging is essential for maintaining the integrity and quality of the beer throughout the judging process. Specific packaging criteria ensure that judges can evaluate the beer consistently without the influences of packaging types that may affect flavor perception or the overall presentation.

For example, if a bottle does not conform to the standard expectations—like using a bottle that is not the right style, size, or does not have an acceptable closure—this could lead to variations that might mislead the judges about the beer's true characteristics. The integrity of the judging experience relies on uniformity in how the entries are presented, so any deviation from accepted standards in bottle or cap design justifies disqualification.

Other conditions such as a clear bottle, an unsealed cap, or a foreign label may raise concerns but do not directly lead to automatic disqualification under most judging guidelines. Proper labeling is also crucial, but an improper label or bottle may not have the same immediate impact as fundamentally flawed packaging.