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Official Review (Issue 39)
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 Michael Bury
Seedstock Dusseldorf Alt
Seedstock Brewing Co.
96
by Brad Darnell
East Brother Oatmeal Stout
East Brother Beer Co.
96
by James Link
KC Bier Co. Festbier
KC Bier Co.
Exceptional (95 to 91)
95
by Brad Darnell
Four Seasons - Autumn '18
Mother Earth Brew Co.
95
by Brad Darnell
Bo Pils
East Brother Beer Co.
95
by Michael Bury
Seedstock Oktoberfest
Seedstock Brewing Co.
95
by Rick Franckhauser
Temporarily Permanent
Cape May Brewing Co.
94
by Michael Heniff
Riegele Augustus
Brauhaus Riegele
94
by David Sapsis
Jolly Russian
Odell Brewing Co.
93
by Joseph Formanek
Fire Iron
Urban Artifact
93
by Michael Heniff
Cloud Catcher Milkshake IPA
Odell Brewing Co.
93
by Tracy Hensley
Buffalo Bill's Black Pumpkin Oatmeal Stout
Buffalo Bill's Brewery
93
by John C. Tull
Four Seasons - Summer '18
Mother Earth Brew Co.
92
by Brad Darnell
Gold IPA
East Brother Beer Co.
92
by Joseph Formanek
The Gadget
Urban Artifact
92
by Jason Johnson
Spruce Tip IPA
Goodwood Brewing Co.
92
by Jim Koebel
The Imp and the Madhouse Oyster Stout
RavenBeer
91
by Michael Heniff
Primordial Imperial IPA
Mother Earth Brew Co.
91
by Joseph Formanek
Chariot
Urban Artifact
Very Good (90 to 86)
90 | Thru the Haze, Bear Republic Brewing Co. by Randy Scorby
90 | Seven Crane Creame Ale, Boise Brewing Co. by Jason Johnson
90 | Truth, Rhinegeist Brewery by Jessica Sullivan
89 | Hoppopotamus IPA, Metazoa Brewing Co. by Pat Mulloy
89 | Banded Oak Porter, Banded Oak Brewing by Michael Bury
89 | Impressionist, Southbound Brewing Co. by Sean Coughlin
89 | Cheetah, Rhinegeist Brewery by Jessica Sullivan
88 | Seedstock Weizenbock, Seedstock Brewing Co. by Michael Bury
88 | Hip Check IPA, Boise Brewing Co. by Jason Johnson
88 | Knowledge, Rhinegeist Brewery by Jessica Sullivan
87 | Buffalo Bill's Original Pumpkin Ale, Buffalo Bill's Brewery by Tracy Hensley
87 | Yacht Rock, Southbound Brewing Co. by Sean Coughlin
87 | Orange Vanilla IPA, Belching Beaver Brewing Co. by Randy Scorby
87 | Nap In The Hammock, Metazoa Brewing Co. by Pat Mulloy
Average (85 to 75)
84 | Breckenridge White Ale, Breckenridge Brewery by Michael Heniff
84 | Breckenridge Biere de Garde, Breckenridge Brewery by David Sapsis
81 | Banded Oak Märzen, Banded Oak Brewing by Michael Bury
80 | Scorpion Bowl IPA, Stone Brewing Co. by John C. Tull