This beer poured clear and light brown with a very thick white head that was present throughout tasting. The nose was both fruity and mildly sour, the latter from the cherry varietal rather than wild yeast or bacteria. The flavor profile also included strong cherry notes and a restrained,... 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:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Social Fox Oktoberfest by Social Fox Brewing is a Marzen and was judged as one (BJCP sub-style 6A). It poured mostly clear and deep amber into the glass where it set up with a thick tan head with considerable retention. Its aroma led off with lager yeast and sweet bready malt notes but no... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
This beer was presented as a Coffee Stout, which it resoundingly was. It poured a deep black color, sporting a medium-sized white head with modest retention. The fresh-roasted coffee aroma was immediate and intense and not a combination of dark malts that imitated coffee. The taste too was ... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Jude by Reformation Brewery is a Belgian-style tripel. It was judged as a Belgian Tripel (BJCP sub-style 26C). It poured clear and straw-colored into the glass where it quickly displayed a thick and fairly lasting white head. Its aroma included citrusy (especially lemony) esters, and moderate... Read More
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
Alpha Abstraction Vol. 5 by Wild Leap Brew Co. was judged as a Double IPA (BJCP sub-style 22A). In the glass it formed a moderate white head atop a very hazy copper brew, atypical for the style. The aroma began, and continued, with plenty of citrus – orange and grapefruit specifically, and... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
No Mates - Nelson Sauvin by Astro Lab Brewing is a New England IPA and was judged as an American IPA (BJCP sub-style 21A). It poured cloudy and light golden into the glass with an impressive white head with moderate retention. Its aroma was subtle and refined with mild hop notes that gave way to... Read More