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Official Review (Issue 36)
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 Randy Scorby
Lupulin River
Knee Deep Brewing Co.
96
by Sal Mortillaro II
Tunnel Vision DDH
Bearded Iris Brewing
Exceptional (95 to 91)
95
by Randy Scorby
Barreljuice, Barreljuice, Barreljuice
Angel City Brewery
95
by Jim Koebel
Pinky Sweater
Sketchbook Brewing Co.
95
by Dan Martich
Maibock
Devils Backbone Brewing Co.
95
by Michael Heniff
Brewery Lane Series: Imperial Vanilla Porter
Breckenridge Brewery
94
by Rick Franckhauser
Looking Glass
Starr Hill Brewery
94
by Rick Franckhauser
Front Row
Starr Hill Brewery
94
by Pat Mulloy
Apricot Orchard Brett Golden Ale
The Virginia Beer Co.
94
by Michael McGuire
Crowd Control Imperial IPA
Southern Prohibition Brewing
94
by Randy Scorby
Pinot Fresa
Angel City Brewery
94
by Dan Martich
Blind Pirate
Monday Night Brewing
93
by Jim Koebel
Night Game
Sketchbook Brewing Co.
93
by Rick Franckhauser
Starr Hill Amber Ale
Starr Hill Brewery
93
by Jason Johnson
Licher Weizen
Licher Privatbrauerei
93
by Sean Coughlin
La Trappe Witte
Trappist Brewery Koningshoeven
93
by Randy Scorby
Man Juice
Knee Deep Brewing Co.
93
by Pat Mulloy
Elbow Patches
The Virginia Beer Co.
92
by Nelson Crowle
Christmas Cactus
Wren House Brewing Co.
92
by Dan Martich
Han Brolo
Monday Night Brewing
92
by Dan Martich
Wild Grape Ale
Hi-Wire Brewing
92
by Michael Heniff
Foxfire
Fullsteam Brewery
92
by Jason Johnson
Wernesgrüner Dark
Wernesgrüner Brauerei
91
by Michael McGuire
Double Chocolate Milk Stout
Southern Prohibition Brewing
91
by Sean Coughlin
Always Ready
Cape May Brewing Co.
91
by Brian Eichhorn
Gin Joy Ale
Right Brain Brewery
Very Good (90 to 86)
90 | Wild Night, Swamp Head Brewery by Jessica Sullivan
90 | Polynomial Pale Ale, Four Mile Brewing by Michael Bury
90 | Corrosion, Cape May Brewing Co. by Michael McGuire
90 | Fresh Powder, The Virginia Beer Co. by Pat Mulloy
90 | Bourbon Barrel Aged Scotch Ale, Innis & Gunn Brewing Co. by Michael Heniff
90 | Fu Manbrew, Monday Night Brewing by Michael Bury
90 | I'm On A Boat, Monday Night Brewing by Dan Martich
90 | Pauwel Kwak, Brouwerij Bosteels by Michael Heniff
90 | Coco Chaos IPA, Coronado Brewing Co. by Randy Scorby
89 | Drafty Kilt, Monday Night Brewing by Michael Bury
89 | Stoutello, Knee Deep Brewing Co. by Randy Scorby
88 | Orange Door, Sketchbook Brewing Co. by Jim Koebel
88 | Naughty Girl Stout, Right Brain Brewery by Brian Eichhorn
88 | High River, Platform Beer Co. by Randy Scorby
88 | Bastogne Ardenne Stout, Brasserie de Bastogne by Michael Heniff
88 | Spellbinder, Wren House Brewing Co. by Nelson Crowle
Average (85 to 75)
87 | Silly Gose, Community Beer Co. by Nelson Crowle
86 | Cappuccino Stout, Lagunitas Brewing Co. by Nelson Crowle
85 | St. Feuillien Tripel, Brasserie St Feuillien, by Sean Coughlin
85 | Vanishing Point 01, Innis & Gunn Brewing Co. by Michael Heniff
85 | Devil's Harvest Breakfast IPA, Southern Prohibition Brewing by Michael McGuire
84 | Captain Kidd V2.5, Oyster Bay Brewing Co. by Jason Johnson
83 | Kinroo Blue, Brouwerij Martens by Dan Preston
81 | Big Nose IPA, Swamp Head Brewery by Jessica Sullivan
80 | Oyster Bay Pilsner, Oyster Bay Brewing Co. by Jason Johnson
77 | Dr. Robot, Monday Night Brewing by Michael Bury
77 | Spinal Tapper, Right Brain Brewery by Brian Eichhorn