Beer Review (Issue 18)
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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)
96
by Phil Farrell
Cali-Belgique
Stone Brewing Co.
Exceptional (95 to 91)
95
by Tom Cannon
Grand-Am
Bear Republic Brewing Co.
95
by Phil Farrell
Helios Farmhouse Ale
Victory Brewing Co.
92
by Owen Ogletree
Blood Orange Gose
Anderson Valley Brewing Co.
92
by Pete Garofalo
Frost Line Rye
Summit Brewing Co.
Very Good (90 to 86)
90
by Owen Ogletree
Stony Brook Red
Boston Beer Co.
90
by Owen Ogletree
Dortmunder Gold
Great Lakes Brewing Co.
90
by Tom Cannon
Spinnerbait
SweetWater Brewing Co.
89
by Owen Ogletree
Trappist Ale
Spencer Brewery
88
by Phil Farrell
Affligem Blonde
Brouwerij Affligem
88
by Pete Garofalo
Ballantine IPA
Pabst Brewing Co.
88
by Tom Cannon
Hacker-Pschorr Weisse
Hacker-Pschorr Brewery
86
by Pete Garofalo
Thiriez Extra
Brasserie Thiriez
Average (85 to 75)
85
by Owen Ogletree
UFO Hefeweizen
Harpoon Brewery
84
by Phil Farrell
Devil’s Ale
SanTan Brewing Co.
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