The BJCP has three functions within the US beer community. First, it provides a standards-based organization of amateur brewers and beer lovers supplying qualified judges to an informal network of brewing competitions designed to promote the appreciation of beer styles and their accurate production by amateur brewers. As an example of this activity, the BJCP tracks members' participation as judges, organizers, or stewards in BJCP-sanctioned brewing competitions and awards what amounts to continuing education units for participation.
The BCJP also publishes a well-known style guideline categorizing beers, ciders, meads, etc. into over twenty stylistic categories. These style guidelines may be viewed at the BJCP website. These guidelines are used in both the examination of beer judges by the BJCP and, voluntarily, by brewing competition organizers. (The BJCP also explicitly encourages test-takers to study the available literature on styles and brewing.)
Finally, the BJCP organizes a program of beer exams wherein test-takers complete a series of written questions regarding brewing, beer styles and judging and then actually perform two beer judging exercises.
Through accumulation of participation credits and high performance on the exam, members may rise through the BJCP ranks:
See also: American homebrewing association CAMRA