National Beer Scoring System (NBSS)
The National Beer Scoring Scheme (NBSS) is a 0-5 point scale for judging beer quality in pubs. It is an easy to use system that has been designed to assist CAMRA branches in selecting pubs for the Good Beer Guide and monitoring beer quality by encouraging CAMRA members to report on beer quality where ever they go.
How do I score my beer?
You can score your beer online at home or if you have a smart phone in the pub!
To submit your scores just visit http://whatpub.com.
Log into the site using your CAMRA membership number and password. Once you have agreed to the terms and conditions and found a pub on the site, you can start scoring.
You can find out more here http://whatpub.com/beerscoring
What do I need to record?
- The location and name of the pub (WhatPub mobile can work this out!)
- The date you visited the pub
- A score out of 5
- The name of the beer
We will also need your name and membership number but once you have registered these are recorded automatically in WhatPub
Frequently Asked Questions
What do the scores mean?
- No cask ale available.
- Poor
Beer that is anything from barely drinkable to drinkable with considerable resentment. - Average
Competently kept, drinkable pint but doesn't inspire in any way, not worth moving to another pub but you drink the beer without really noticing. - Good
Good beer in good form. You may cancel plans to move to the next pub. You want to stay for another pint and may seek out the beer again. - Very Good
Excellent beer in excellent condition. - Perfect
Probably the best you are ever likely to find. A seasoned drinker will award this score very rarely.
How can I see my scores?
When browsing pubs on whatpub.com, use the 'Scores' tab in the main navigation to view your recent pub visits and the associated scores.
How can I edit my beer scores?
Editing scores on whatpub.com will be coming soon, but in the meantime you can head over to the previous version of NBSS and use the 'Score' tab in the main navigation to edit your scores.
What if I can't find the pub?
Unfortunately the pub list does not yet cover the whole country. If the pub you have visited is not listed then unfortunately your score cannot be submitted on whatpub.com.
What if I can't decide on a score?
The NBSS allows you to enter half scores
How do I score a beer I don't like?
Ideally a beer should be scored to reflect how it has been kept. In other words its condition. However, the ability to distinguish between a beer that is in poor condition, is unpalatable to our tastes, but is meant to taste like that, or has been poorly made is going to be difficult for the untrained taster. In these cases it is better to score the beer as it honestly tastes to you. After all, even if you don't like the carrot and coriander ale, others may well do and therefore score it higher.
Video - Why you should score your beer
Video - How to submit a score
How is the information being collated?
Once beer scores have been submitted online, CAMRA branches can download them and use them to help in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide selection process.
For more information, go to http://members.camra.org.uk/group/branch-nbss-coordinator/dashboard
Where can I get extra support?
If you would like to comment on pubs in a particular location, please contact the relevant CAMRA branch.
A support forum for CAMRA members exists. You can join by sending a blank email to camra_nbss-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
Alternatively you can email nbss@camra.org.uk.