The muddled orange fizziness of the IPA (Style guideline 21A –American IPA) settled in my glass. It was topped with a spectacularly white head, which held firm as I readied my notebook. While it sat, firm aromas of navel orange, papaya, grapefruit and mango leapt from the glass. As I focused on... Read More
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Rodney A. Tillinghast
Beer Judge
Rodney Tillinghast has been pursuing the perfect pint after his first sip of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale in a Buffalo tavern in 1988. Since then, he expanded his beer horizons at every opportunity, including homebrewing for the past 25 years, being a BJCP beer judge for 21 years, working commercially as a brewer at Brown’s Brewing Company for a spell, and tasting beer throughout his travels all across the US and abroad. He attained the BJCP rank of National Judge early in 2015.
Rodney presently lives in North Carolina with his “beer widow” wife and two fine sons.
My reviews
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
E.Z. Orchards Semi-Dry Cidre by E.Z. Orchards was judged as a French Cider (2015 Cider Style C1C) and poured a robust golden color, brilliantly clear with a sturdy effervescence.
Predominant aromas featured overripe apples, some caramel and a hint of pepper. Upon tasting, the mature... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20
Face it — American craft cream ales don’t get much respect. You never see anyone at the bar furiously logging into their favorite beer rating service to proclaim the greatness of a newly discovered American craft cream ale. It just doesn’t happen like that.
This example of the style pours... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
This ale tumbled into the glass like hot oil draining from a car’s drainplug. I picked up my snifter to check it against the light, but to no avail -- it would not give up its secrets so easily. A thick, tobacco-colored foam lifted towards the top, and stayed in place during the entire sampling... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
With its smooth finish and focused chocolate profile (Style guideline 30A – Spiced Beer), this beer drinks like a sweet, dark cocoa cinnamon bun. It flowed from the bottle thick and dark, with a quickly subsiding head that got me to imbibing without delay. Aroma was firmly supported by cacao... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Its billowy white head held firm in my snifter as its tawny gold undercurrent frothily bubbled. Those bubbles released notes of freshly grated lemon zest, crackers, and pink grapefruit. A soft malt character was supported by a very smooth and pleasant citrus hop flavor. While it featured a solid... Read More