A second important condition that is necessary for effective beer evaluation is suitable equipment. That is, judges need sharp mechanical pencils with erasers—mechanical so that the aroma of wood does not interfere with detecting beer aromas and erasers so that comments and scores can be changed. Beer judges also need suitable cups for sampling the beer—impeccably clean plastic or glass, odor-free, and clear. Also, judges need access to style guidelines. Tables should be equipped with water and bread or crackers for palate cleansing, buckets and towels for cleaning spills or gushes, bottle openers and cork screws, and coolers and temporary.
