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BC Review

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The Expert Panel

The Beer Connoisseur® review was conducted as a round table single blind review by our panel of expert judges. Four to six judges reviewed 8-14 beers per session and submitted their individual scores and notes. The scores were averaged into a single score and notes compiled and summarized for publishing in magazine issues 1-14. These reviews have been republished here in this online format.

The names and biographies of the contributing judges were publsihed with each magazine issue and are listed below.

Charlie Gow - Founding Beer Review Coordinator ​(1960 - 2014)
Tim Artz
Tom Cannon
Phil Farrell
Pete Garofalo
Rick Garvin
Lee Anthony Hitchins
Owen Ogletree

My reviews

Trumer Pils

Trumer Pils
Judges Rating:
88
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

The relative young American offshoot of a centuries-old Austrian brewing powerhouse has produced the award-winning Trumer Pils since 2004. The aroma has a hop presence more subdued than expected of a Pils. Rick picked up a distinctly sulfury note he felt detracted from the otherwise satisfying “... Read More

Old Foghorn

Anchor Brewing Foghorn Barleywine Beer
Judges Rating:
88
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Since 1976, Old Foghorn has been an eagerly awaited holiday in households across the land. Originally packaged in 7-ounce “nip” bottles and sold in four-packs, it now comes in six-packs of the standard 12-ounce “Anchor” bottle and is getting broader distribution than in previous years. Brimming... Read More

Judges Rating:
91
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

Home to some of the most idiosyncratic beers in the world, Franconia is rightfully known as the brewing world’s epicenter for rauchbiers, which are noted for the pungently smoky aromas and flavors. Aecht Schlenkerla Eiche, a rauch (smoked) doppelbock from Brauerei Heller-Trum in Bamberg,... Read More

Sorachi Ace

Sorachi Ace Brooklyn Beer
Judges Rating:
98
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
24 / 24
Flavor:
39 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
20 / 20

Experimenting with the recently developed Japanese Sorachi Ace hop, Brooklyn Brewery delivers in a big way with its beer of the same name. Crafted loosely in the saison style, Sorachi Ace is a distinctive beer, showcasing all the bright citrus aromas and flavors the signature hop is so rightly... Read More

Bell's Porter

Judges Rating:
83
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
15 / 20

A clean, well-crafted interpretation of the style, Bell’s Porter is a highly quaffable brew that is a great introduction to the world of porters. Its deep brown color and thick, creamy tan-colored head are spot on, and when held to the light, flashes of garnet dance along the edge of the glass.... Read More

Coney Island Lager

Judges Rating:
90
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Brewed with an eclectic blend of European and American hops and malts, Shmaltz Brewing’s Coney Island Lager is somewhat of an oddity, unashamedly intermarrying ingredients from the Old and New Worlds alike. Taking iconoclasm one step further, this lager is dry hopped with the quintessential... Read More

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