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Brad Darnell
Beer Judge
Brad became interested in the science behind beer while taking a senior Chemical Engineering elective course, Biochemical Engineering, where the professor spoke of enzymes (among other things) and took the class on a brewery tour. He has since begun home brewing and earned a BJCP Grand Master II rank, currently serving as the Mountain/Northwest Regional Representative and Associate Exam Director while continuing to judge competitions around the U.S. and educating himself and others. In his spare time Brad visits breweries around the world, always on the hunt for those who produce world-class examples of hard-to-find, obscure or innovative styles.
My articles
Whiskey. Every libation-loving person across the world knows about this wonderful beverage, which refers to a barrel-aged distilled spirit made from...
Cool, crisp air ushers in a new season while the pumpkin and Oktoberfest beers of late summer and fall slowly give way their shelf space and tap...
The dog days of summer linger stubbornly for many of us around the world, while elsewhere the nights begin their gradual transition towards crisp...
My reviews
Appearance:
3 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Braggadocious by Pontoon Brewing is a Braggot-style ale, an Imperial Berliner Weisse with Vanilla Mead and Strawberries. I am judging this according to the 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines, Category M4A, Braggot.
Moderate strawberries and sweet vanilla greet me as I... Read More
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
39 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Hop Gods by Lakefront Brewery is being judged according to the 2021 BJCP Style Guidelines, Category 22A – Double IPA.
My glass arrives with a hazy, harvest moon orange beer that is mostly covered by a frothy and patchy tight-bubbled... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Bourbon Barrel Epitaph by Heathen Brewing is a Bourbon Barrel Aged Russian Imperial Stout and is being evaluated as a Specialty Wood-Aged Beer (2015 BJCP Category 33B) according to BJCP guidelines. For this style expect the base beer style blended well with characteristics picked up during the... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
East Brother Belgian Tripel by East Brother Beer Co. is a Belgian Tripel and is being evaluated as a Belgian Tripel (2015 BJCP Category 26C) offering according to BJCP guidelines. For this style expect a clean malt flavor and a spicy, dry, strong character that is fairly aromatic.
The... Read More
Appearance:
3 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
The Most Humble Cobbler by Pontoon Brewing is a Berliner Weisse-style ale with cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, cherries and lactose. I am judging this according to the 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines, Category 29B Fruit and Spice Beer.
My glass arrives with a nearly... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Birthday Month: New Zealand Triple IPA by Wild Leap Brew Co., and I am judging this according to the 2021 BJCP Style Guidelines, Category 22A – Double IPA, while keeping in mind that this beer will be bigger and showcase New Zealand hop... Read More