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Rick’s interest in beer styles and brewing began in 1975, as a part of an interest in the culinary arts but his education in beer styles began with an introduction to Michael Jackson’s “The World Guide To Beer”. In those days imported beers were hard to come by to say the least. As that began to change, his appreciation and interest in various beer styles grew stronger. Some styles remained hard to find, so in 1991, Rick began home brewing. To increase his knowledge of the brewing process he became a member of the Cincinnati Malt Infusers homebrew club in 1996, where he served as Program Director and helps to conduct an annual BJCP exam prep class. Rick became a BJCP judge in 2004 and has risen to the rank of National. But most importantly, he loves beer! After all these years, he remains fascinated with the varied aroma and flavor experiences a beer can provide.
Big Boss Lager by Big Boss Brewing Co. is being reviewed as BJCP category 4A, Munich Helles.
Pours a clear yellow gold with tiny bubbles raising to the creamy white persistent head. The aroma opens with low levels of grainy malt with hints toast. The malt is followed by some spicy and... Read More
Bad Seed by Gnarly Barley Brewing Co. is a gose with raspberry, blueberry and blackberry and was judged as BJCP Category 29A, Fruit beer, with BJCP Category 27A, gose, as the base beer style. A huge blueberry nose is quickly joined by a mineral note, presumably from the salt addition. Raspberry... Read More
Oranges, lemons and pine resin almost jump out of the glass and invite you to partake. Apricot and dried peach esters emerge with a noticeable alcohol presence. The grainy, toasty malt aromas come out of hiding after you acclimate to the citrus. Pouring a light orange with copper highlights,... Read More
Pumpkin Brown Ale by Low Road Brewing was judged as BJCP category 30B, Autumn Seasonal Beer. The beer opens with a strong nutmeg aromatic followed by a low-level vanilla and cocoa. There is a touch of toast and nuttiness. Maybe a woody hop notes as it warms up, but the... Read More
Aromas of chocolate-covered raisins, coffee and deep roasted malts is followed by alcohol that shows up as it warms. All of this is joined by notes of tobacco and hints of smoke. In terms of appearance, this is a black hole in a glass – light does not pass through. A creamy brown foam stand... Read More
Apricots and grapefruits are followed by a virtual fruit basket of other hop aromas. There is a trace amount of sweet malt lying underneath all the hops. A big foamy white head tops the clear golden beer. Flavors of grapes, lechies and berries blended with citron. Apricot is introduced mid-... Read More
