Official Review (Issue 34)
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Editorial Dept.
Judging Process
Our reviews are conducted in a single-blind tasting format. This method provides the best opportunity to rely on facts and to avoid favoritism, ensuring a level playing field for all brewers. It serves both the industry and the consumer to have unbiased and objective scores from qualified experts. To best implement this approach, the Judges Review is open to those with established experience as a Master Cicerone® from the Cicerone® Certification Program or as a judge that has accomplished the rank of National or higher from the Beer Judge Certification Program. In the single-blind tasting format, judges are presented with a chilled, properly poured beer and given its style category. Scoring is then done on the following basis using a 100-point scale:
Score Breakdown:
100 to 96: World Class – You need this beer in your life.
95 to 91: Exceptional – Don’t hesitate.
90 to 86: Very Good – A brew to savor.
85 to 75: Average – Somewhat unimpressive.
74 and below: Not Recommended – Just walk away.
World Class (100 to 96)
97
by James Link
Rodenbach Vintage 2015
Brouwerij Rodenbach
96
by Dan Martich
Double Bass Mocha Double Chocolate Stout
Starr Hill Brewery
Exceptional (95 to 91)
95
by Pat Mulloy
pFriem Flanders Blonde
pFriem Family Brewers
95
by Michael Heniff
MILF
Mother’s Brewing Co.
95
by Michael Heniff
Hoppyright Infringement
NOLA Brewing Co.
95
by Sean Coughlin
Declaration
Reformation Brewery
95
by Richard Wong
Apple Pie Pale Ale
Garage Brewing Co.
94
by Lyn Howard
White Caps
Cape May Brewing Co.
94
by Michael Heniff
pFriem Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout
pFriem Family Brewers
94
by Jim Koebel
Morning Wood
Funky Buddha Brewery
94
by Jason Johnson
Free Time
Upland Brewing Co.
94
by Michael Heniff
Dryades
NOLA Brewing Company
94
by Richard Wong
Brewery Lane Series: Oak Aged Saison
Breckenridge Brewery
92
by Sal Mortillaro II
Stash IPA
Independence Brewing Co.
92
by Dan Martich
Hardywood Gingerbread Stout
Hardywood Park Craft Brewery
92
by John C. Tull
Dank IPA
pFriem Family Brewers
91
by Nelson Crowle
Winter Wisdom: Hazelnut Brown Ale
Empyrean Brewing Co.
91
by Joseph Formanek
Sour Saison
New Belgium Brewing Co.
91
by James Link
King Porter Stomp
Cape May Brewing Co.
91
by Richard Wong
Four Seasons Autumn ’17
Mother Earth Brew Co.
91
by Sean Coughlin
Barrel-aged Jude
Reformation Brewery
Very Good (90 to 86)
90 | Redbud, Independence Brewing Co. by Sal Mortillaro II
90 | Kragle IPA, Free Will Brewing Co. by Jim Koebel
90 | HHG APA, Central Waters Brewing Co. by Jessica Sullivan
90 | Cold Mountain Winter Ale, Highland Brewing Co. by Josh Weikert
90 | Chocolate Orange Milk Stout, Garage Brewing Co. by Tracy Hensley
90 | C.O.B., Free Will Brewing Co. by Jim Koebel
89 | The Illustrated Man, Independence Brewing Co. by Sal Mortillaro II
89 | Peppermint Stout, Garage Brewing Co. by Randy Scorby
88 | pFriem Flanders-Style Red Ale, pFriem Family Brewers by Pat Mulloy
88 | Le Roar Grrrz Druiven, Bullfrog Brewery by Rick Franckhauser
88 | Double Bass Chipotle Double Chocolate Stout, Starr Hill Brewery by Dan Martich
88 | Caramel Apple Tripel, Sun King Brewing by Josh Weikert
88 | Blueberry, Upland Brewing Co. by Jason Johnson
88 | 4th Anniversary Double IPA, Garage Brewing Co. by Tracy Hensley
87 | Stay Tuned, Free Will Brewing Co. by Jim Koebel
87 | pFriem Scotch Barrel Aged Imperial Brown, pFriem Family Brewers by Michael Heniff
87 | Last Snow, Funky Buddha Brewery by Jim Koebel
87 | Cloudy with a Chance of Charcuterie, Free Will Brewing Co by Jim Koebel
86 | Fat Tire Belgian White, New Belgium Brewing Co. by Joe Formanek
Average (85 to 75)
85 | Holidation, Garage Brewing Co. by Randy Scorby
84 | Brewer’s Reserve Bourbon Barrel Barleywine, Central Waters Brewing Co. by Jessica Sullivan
83 | Oak Brux, Upland Brewing Co. by Jason Johnson
81 | Le Roar Grrrz Framboise, Bullfrog Brewery by Rick Franckhauser
81 | Jubelale, Deschutes Brewery by Richard Wong
81 | 500 Quadrupel Ale (Barrel-aged), Reformation Brewery by Sean Coughlin
80 | When the Lights Go Out, Sun King Brewing by Josh Weikert
80 | Scout The Storyteller, Reformation Brewery by Sean Coughlin
79 | Space Ghost, Central Waters Brewing Co. by Jessica Sullivan
75 | Le Roar Grrrz Aardbei, Bullfrog Brewery by Rick Franckhauser
75 | Butta Cup, Funky Buddha Brewery by Jim Koebel
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