Tres Barbas by Red Clay Brewing Co. is a Mexican Lager and was judged as an International Pale Lager (BJCP sub-style 2A). It poured clear and light golden into the glass, forming a thin white head with modest retention. Its light aroma had a predominantly grainy/malty character with late light... Read More
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Michael McGuire
Beer Judge
Mike started homebrewing in 1983 in Baton Rouge, LA. He subsequently continued brewing when life took him to Grayslake, IL, Lancaster, PA, Vienna, VA, and Raleigh, NC. He was a founding member of the Lancaster County Brewers homebrew club, and later a member of the Brewers United for Real Potables (BURP), Wort Hogs, and Cary, Apex, & Raleigh Brewers of Yore (CARBOY) clubs.
He took the BJCP exam in 2000, became certified in 2002, and achieved National rank in 2005. In addition to judging in many regional and national AHA-sponsored competitions since 2000, he has judged in several state-specific competitions for professional breweries (e.g., the Virginia Craft Beer Cup and the Maryland Governor’s Cup).
My reviews
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
The Four Essentials by Pontoon Brewing was judged as a Kölsch (BJCP sub-style 5B). It poured a mostly clear straw hue into the glass, forming a thick white head with moderate retention. The aroma was dominated by pilsner and/or other pale lager malts, followed immediately by bittering hops. The... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
This was billed as a Triple IPA, a relatively uncommon style bridging the gap between a Double IPA and an American Barleywine. This particular example does so with distinction. The aroma is full of piney and citrusy hop notes on top of a full (and appropriately), high-gravity malt base. The... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Van Damme Strong by Social Fox Brewing is a Belgian Tripel and was judged as such (BJCP sub-style 26C).
It poured golden caramel and clear into the glass beneath a moderate white head with modest retention. Its aroma led off with malt... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
This beer was presented as a White Sour Ale with blackberries and blueberries. It poured clear and pink with modest head retention. At first whiff the aroma announced that this was a serious sour ale with plenty of brett funk in the nose. The berries played a background role in both the aroma... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
Southern Bel’ by Arches Brewing is a moderately dark Belgian-style ale judged as a Belgian Pale Ale – BJCP sub-style 24B – based on the description on the brewery’s website, which called it a “deep Belgian pale.” The can’s label “Belgian Ale” doesn’t give buyers much style information to entice... Read More