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Michael Heniff

Michael Heniff's picture
Beer Judge

Mike brewed his first few homebrew batches in college in 1994 and began regularly brewing in 1997.  Since then, he has brewed over 150 batches of beer, mead, and cider.  He has won over 200 medals and numerous major awards in competitions across the country.  His highest accomplishments include winning the Templeton Award (most points) of the Dixie Cup (one of the largest single-site homebrew competitions in the world) a record four times, Gulf Coast Homebrewer of the Year, and Lone Star Circuit Homebrewer of the Year.  He has had his recipes brewed at commercial breweries seven times.

Mike particularly enjoys traveling to find new beers.  He has made numerous travels abroad to find great beer, most frequently to Belgium and Germany.  He has logged over 6800 beers in his tasting journal, including over 620 beers from Belgium alone.  Mike has had brewing and beer travel articles published by Brew Your Own and Zymurgy magazines.

Mike is a current member of the Houston Foam Rangers Homebrew Club where he has held numerous officer positions.  He was also the founding President of the Lone Star Circuit and a former long time officer. He currently ranks as a Grand Master III BJCP judge.  He has judged in over 70 competitions across the United States, frequently serving on Best of Show panels.

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My reviews

Weltenburger Hell

Weltenburger Hell

Weltenburger Hell, Weltenburger Kloster
Description 

The classic Helles - the epitome of the Bavarian way of life: clear, powerful, straightforward and unforgettable! Pours a perfectly clear golden straw color with a fine bubbled bone white head that leaves some remnants of lacing. Smells of sweet bread, yeast, and just a touch of spicy noble hops. Taste follows perfectly with such a subtle presence of each element. Feel is so crisp, nice carbonation, dry and inviting enough to constantly demand another sip. Overall, this is an outstanding Helles lager.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
4.9%

 

 


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Judges Rating:
87
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
15 / 20

Weltenburger Hell by Weltenburger Kloster is a Munich Helles and is being evaluated as a Munich Helles (category 4A in the 2021 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Munich Helles are golden lagers with a moderate pils malt character with a moderate-to-low Noble hop presence... Read More

Small Stash Reserve - Horner Beer

Small Stash Reserve - Horner Beer

Colorado
United States
Small Stash Reserve - Horner Beer, Seedstock Brewery
Description 

The horner beer is brewed exclusively from oat malt and is a hazy pale yellow-green color as a result. Cream of tartar is added to the wort to get a slightly sour and refreshing flavor.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
3.0%

 

 


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Judges Rating:
84
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
19 / 24
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
15 / 20

Small Stash Reserve - Horner Beer by Seedstock Brewery is a Horner bier and is being evaluated as a Historical Beer (category 27 in the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). The historical beer category is a catch-all category for styles that have all but died out in... Read More

Drift Racer

Drift Racer, Bear Republic Brewing Co.
Judges Rating:
91
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

Drift Racer by Bear Republic Brewing Co. is a Double IPA and is being evaluated as a Double IPA (category 22A in the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). The focus of the Double IPA style is hops, hops and more hops. Additionally, despite being a high-alcohol content style, Double IPAs are fairly... Read More

Ethos IPA

Ethos IPA Tallgrass Beer
Judges Rating:
94
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

Intense hops abound with prototypical American IPA “C hops” leading the way, evincing aromas of resins, citrus, and piney hop character. The moderate-strong hops are supported by a background of light bready malt before all balance gives way to an aggressive, lingering bitterness. This beer is... Read More

Night Warden

Night Warden

Colorado
United States
Night Warden, Avery Brewing Co.
Description 

Strong notes of vanilla and caramel from fresh whiskey barrels complement a roasted malt bill that makes Night Warden a smooth and full-bodied stout. At 8.2% ABV and in a 12 ounce six-pack, Night Warden brings the richness of barrel-aged beer often reserved for special occasions to your everyday routine. The Avery Brew Crew's 15 years of experience in barrel-aging and love of great whiskey come together in Night Warden, our flagship stout aged for three months in fresh whiskey barrels. Aged to enjoy every day, Night Warden is the keeper of Avery's infamous cellar, and your guide to the bigger aromas and flavors of barrel-aged beer.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
8.2%
IBUs: 
30
Malts: 
Two Row, Chocolate, Roasted Barley, Midnight Wheat, CaraAroma, Oats

 

 


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Judges Rating:
88
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Night Warden by Avery Brewing Co. is a whiskey barrel-aged Stout and is being evaluated as a Specialty Wood-Aged Beer (category 33B from the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Specialty Wood-Aged Beers are aged in spirit barrels and should have a harmonious blend... Read More

pFriem Pêche

pFriem Pêche, pFriem Family Brewers
Judges Rating:
93
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

pFriem Pêche by pFriem Family Brewers is a fruited “lambic inspired ale” and is being evaluated as a Fruit Lambic (category 23F from the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Lambics are known for their sourness and wild characters that are naturally (or “spontaneously”) imparted by airborne yeast... Read More

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