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Sandy Cockerham

Sandy Cockerham's picture
Beer & Mead Judge

A native Hoosier, Sandy Cockerham is a Grand Master II BJCP judge who also holds a mead certification. She has been brewing beer since the late 80s and became a BJCP judge in 2007. Sandy serves as the BJCP’s Midwest Representative, a BJCP Assistant Exam Director and is a member of the American Homebrewers Association’s Governing Committee where she serves as co-chair of the Competition Committee. She has been a judge at the Great American Beer Festival for the past 2 years and the Festival of Wood and Barrel-Aged Beers (FoBAB) for the past 3 years. Most weekends will find Sandy judging beer, mead or cider somewhere.

While she enjoys traveling, wherever she goes there must be good beer! Past beery excursions occurred in China, England, Germany and the Czech Republic. She looks forward to new beer adventures abroad, as well as a little sightseeing.

Sandy is married and has 3 spoiled cats at home. She holds degrees in chemistry and law and works in research within the pharmaceutical industry. She also roasts coffee part-time at Bee Coffee Roasters.

 

My reviews

Wonderstuff

Wonderstuff Bohemian Pilsner Bauhaus Beer
Judges Rating:
86
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

This Pilsner starts slightly muted with low floral hop and spicy hop aromas alongside some low rose esters. Medium-low notes of crackery pils malt are in support. As the beer warms, a whiff of sulfur emerges. The pour is very clear, medium-golden in color with a moderate, off-white head that... Read More

Cran-Gose

Devils Backbone Beer Cran-Gose
Judges Rating:
93
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Devils Backbone Brewing Company’s Cran-Gose started out with a low aroma of citrus and some rose-like floral notes. Behind the fruit, there was some low, bready wheat aromas. Overall, this smelled a little like the sea in a most pleasant way and had a low, soft note of tartness.

The color... Read More

Gamma Bomb IPA

Warped Wing beer Gamma Bomb IPA
Judges Rating:
87
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Warped Wing’s Gamma Bomb IPA started out with a medium hop burst of citrus and tropical fruitiness. The moderate bready malt and light grainy/cereal character with a touch of toastiness were in support. A hint of earthiness was apparent from the hops, as well as a slight grassiness. There were... Read More

Judges Rating:
82
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
19 / 24
Flavor:
33 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

Warped Wing Brewing’s Ermal’s Belgian-Style Cream Ale poured out medium gold and was lightly hazy with a fine, moderately sized white head that lasted a minute or two. The medium-low estery aroma was very inviting. I perceived a light note of sulfur and some light spicy tones that seemed like... Read More

Flyin' Rye IPA

flyin' rye ipa beer warped wing
Judges Rating:
83
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
18 / 24
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

Warped Wing’s Flyin’ Rye India Pale Ale was moderately spicy with notes of rye and cereal. I also noted some bubblegum esters in the nose that didn’t quite seem to fit. The aroma included some medium-low floral hops and a light cracker malt character. The beer was orange-gold and fairly clear.... Read More

The Keel

Cape May Beer The Keel Sour
Judges Rating:
94
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Up front, this wine barrel-aged sour exhibited fairly clean lactic sourness and a whiff of oak. It had medium-low notes of toasty malt and dark fruit (plum and cherry mostly) and no hops in the nose.  As it warmed up notes of red wine grapes emerged and the wood aromas blossomed.  Very inviting... Read More

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