What is the recommended practice regarding beverages and foods at the judging table?

The recommended practice regarding beverages and foods at the judging table is to have only water, bread, or crackers present. This guideline ensures that judges remain focused on the beers being evaluated without any distractions from the taste or aroma of other foods. The palate can easily be affected by strong flavors or aromas from various foods, which might lead to scoring inconsistencies or biased perceptions of the beers being judged.

By allowing just plain water and neutral foods like bread or crackers, the judges can cleanse their palates and maintain an accurate assessment of each beer. This practice helps to uphold the integrity of the judging process, ensuring that the evaluations are based solely on the beers' attributes without external influences.