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Sal Mortillaro II

Sal Mortillaro II's picture
Beer & Mead Judge

Sal has been homebrewing since 2010 and has been a certified judge in the BJCP program since 2012 where he currently holds the rank of Grand Master 2. He has won several awards and medals during his time homebrewing and he currently serves as a BJCP exam proctor, exam grader, exam admin, and the Regional Representative for the Southern Region.  Sal has served as a Best of Show judge for the Alabama Craft Beer State Championship and Montana Brewery of the Year State Championship and has judged at the Great American Beer Festival, Aro Rojo, and Arizona Craft Brewers Guild commercial competitions.  Sal is one of the first ten educators in the United States for the Wine & Spirit Education Trust Award in Beer Level 1 and Level 2 certifications.  He is a regular guest on the NOLA Drinks radio show & pod cast and contributor to Louisiana Craft Beer Magazine.

Sal is a member of the Mystic Krewe of Brew Homebrew Club where he serves as the Educational Director and occasional Vice President. He is also a founding board member of The Bayou State Homebrew Competition Circuit. He is the competition coordinator for the New Orleans On Tap, Bayou Beer Fest, and Larry Fest charity beer events. He has served as a “Beer Geek” in the local area for a well-known, national chain of natural grocery stores reviewing and recommending beers to their customers.

Sal enjoys brewing all styles of beer, but thoroughly enjoys venturing into the weird and wild, discovering beers that utilize non-traditional ingredients and brewing techniques. He appreciates drinking all beer styles, but particularly enjoys malty or sour beers.

BJCP Grand Master II Certificate

 

My reviews

Hawk Haus Cider

Hawk Haus Cider

Oregon
United States
Hawk Haus Cider, E.Z. Orchards
Description 

Hawk Haus is named after the kestrel nests found on the property and is a blend of Jonathan and Yarlington Mill apples. Pale, yellow-golden in color and lightly hazed with modest, tiny carbonation bubbles like the finest sparkling wines. The aroma is fresh cut apples and an earthy farmyard character. Very pleasant and grounded. Hawk Haus is big, soft and round on the palate with gentle acidity. Notes of cinnamon and brown sugar are reminiscent of apple turnover. The finish is just short of total dryness, with appealing fresh apple flavors from beginning to end.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
5.7%

 

 


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Judges Rating:
91
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Hawk Haus Cider by E.Z. Orchards is being evaluated as a New World Cider (Category C1A) according to the 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines.

This cider pours a dark gold color with a slight haze and no head is present nor any activity from carbonation. The aroma is very subtle and faint... Read More

Blood Brother

Blood Brother, Straight to Ale
Judges Rating:
84
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
15 / 20

Blood Brother by Straight to Ale is being evaluated as a Fruit Beer (Category 29A) with a  base style of Belgian Dubbel (26B) according to the 2015 BJCP style guidelines.

This beer pours a deep amber color with a slightly hazy clarity.  An off-white creamy head of small bubbles quickly... Read More

Tall Dark & Smokey

Tall Dark & Smokey

Georgia
United States
Tall Dark & Smokey, Pontoon Brewing
Description 

A Brewing Conversations collaboration with Rasheed Philips of Philip's Barbeque Co.! The beer is a smoked porter featuring dark malts which were specially selected and smoked by Philips Barbeque for this project and select vanilla and cocoa nibs which create a roasty, well rounded, and flavorful porter.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
7.5%
Served at: 
45º - 50º F

 

 


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Judges Rating:
78
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
19 / 24
Flavor:
30 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
14 / 20

Tall Dark & Smokey by Pontoon Brewing. This beer pours a dark brown in color with opaque clarity. It features ruby highlights when held up to the light. A thin, mocha-colored head is persistent around the edge of the glass. The aroma consists of very light smoke with a medium neutral sweet... Read More

pFriem Double IPA

pFriem Double IPA

pFriem Double IPA, pFriem Family Brewers
Description 

Like the name implies, each can of pFriem Double IPA is brimming with doubly rich aromas of fresh berries, notes of papaya, and a malty sweetness. Double cheers to that!

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
9.1%
IBUs: 
77
Served at: 
40 - 45º F
Malts: 
Rahr Pale Malt, Weyermann Carahell
Hops: 
Chinook, Amarillo, Simcoe, El Dorado

 

 


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Judges Rating:
97
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
40 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

 pFriem Double IPA by pFriem Family Brewers is being judged as a Double IPA (Category 22A) per the 2021 BJCP Guidelines.

This beer pours a beautiful gold with brilliant clarity. A very wispy and fleeting head quickly dissipates, leaving a very thin ring of tiny... Read More

Devil's Harvest

Southern Prohibition beer Devil's Harvest Pale Ale
Judges Rating:
90
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

This American Pale Ale pours a deep gold color with hazy clarity and a dense, white, mousse-like head, which is sustained and leaves lovely lacing on the glass. The aroma consists of a moderately strong American hop profile with juicy citrus at the forefront with undertones of pine needles and ... Read More

Sound Czech

Sound Czech by Terrapin Beer Co.
Judges Rating:
85
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
15 / 20

Sound Czech by Terrapin Beer Company is being evaluated as a Czech Premium Pale Lager (Category 3B) from the 2015 BJCPguidelines.

This beer pours an interesting shade of yellow -- a very light haze in the clarity give the beer almost a neon glow. A tight, bone white head is sustaining and... Read More

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