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Latest Reviews

Explore The Beer Connoisseur® magazine's database of most recent beer and cider reviews as evaluated by our panel of judges in the Official Review.

Funke Hop Farm

Reviewed by: John C. Tull
Judges Rating:
91
Aroma:
23 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

A saison-base beer with a plethora of aromatic features: dank hops, pungent spice, grapefruit rind and citrus oil, and a touch of malt sugars (a menagerie, yes, but not at all off-putting). The color is a tannish straw with moderate haze.

Reviewed by: John C. Tull
Judges Rating:
87
Aroma:
21 / 24
Appearance:
4 / 6
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

This gose has detectable sourness that is complimented by grapefruit rind and leather aromas. Its color is slightly tan with moderate haziness, and no head is present.

Marzen Amber Lager

Reviewed by: John C. Tull
Judges Rating:
85
Aroma:
20 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

Toasty malts, just a hint of caramel, and a little bit of background sulfur are in the aroma of this beer. There are no fruit or ale-like aromas; instead it is clean and lager-like in its yeast expression, as desired for this style.

Old Town Honey Wheat

Reviewed by: Nelson Crowle
Judges Rating:
83
Aroma:
18 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

Old Town Honey Wheat was evaluated as a Standard American Beer (BJCP 2015 Style 1D, American Wheat Beer).  Initial whiffs of tart sourness are a bit of a surprise, but the beer is a clear deep gold with a large white head of small bubbles - the... Read More

Poolside Blonde

Reviewed by: Nelson Crowle
Judges Rating:
80
Aroma:
18 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
33 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

Poolside Blonde was evaluated as a Pale American Ale (BJCP 2015 Style 18A, Blonde Ale).  Pours a beautiful brilliant yellowish gold with a medium head of small and medium size bubbles that fades fairly quickly.

There and Back Again

Reviewed by: Dan Preston
Judges Rating:
81
Aroma:
14 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

There and Back Again by Equilibrium Brewery is an American Wild Specialty Beer, and is being evaluated as such (BJCP 2015 Category 28C). It falls under the specialty subcategory of the American Wild Ale category due to the use of fruit (Apricot... Read More

MC²

MC² Equilibrium Brewery DIPA
Reviewed by: Dan Preston
Judges Rating:
94
Aroma:
23 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

MC2 by Equilibrium Brewery is a DIPA, but is very much in the NEIPA style, so it is better suited to BJCP 2015 category 21B (Specialty IPA), versus the typical double IPA style (BJCP 2015 Category 22A). As such, this beer should be all about the... Read More

Casey

Reviewed by: Dan Preston
Judges Rating:
92
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Casey Farmhouse Ale by Equilibrium Brewery is an American Wild Ale (BJCP 2015 Category 28B). When one talks about a farmhouse ale, they typically mean a saison.

Reviewed by: Nelson Crowle
Judges Rating:
87
Aroma:
21 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

Bourbon Barrel Aged Koffi Porter was evaluated as a Wood Aged Beer (BJCP 2015 Style 33B, Specialty Wood Aged Beer) with the underlying style as Spice/Herb/Vegetable (BJCP 2015 Style 30A, because of the coffee), and the base beer closest to a... Read More

Coffee King of Hop

Reviewed by: Rick Franckhauser
Judges Rating:
80
Aroma:
16 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
32 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

Coffee King of Hop is an Imperial IPA with coffee, and was evaluated as a Spice, Herb or Vegetable Beer (2015 Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) Category 30A) offering according to BJCP... Read More

Reviewed by: Rick Franckhauser
Judges Rating:
90
Aroma:
21 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Starr Hill Brewing’s Mango Habanero King of Hop is an Imperial IPA with Mango and Habanero, and was evaluated as a Fruit and Spice Beer (2015 Beer Judge... Read More

Orange King of Hop

Reviewed by: Rick Franckhauser
Judges Rating:
93
Aroma:
21 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

Orange King of Hop is an Imperial IPA with Oranges, and was evaluated as a Fruit Beer (2015 Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) Category 29A) offering according... Read More

Reviewed by: Michael Moore
Judges Rating:
89
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

After pouring, the beer is beauty to behold.  Bright orange/gold in color with a massive off-white head with great retention.  Aroma of pineapple, lemon-lime, and Saison like with pear notes and clove.  An initial caramel malt-forward flavor with... Read More

Mystery Ship

Mystery Ship by Southbound Brewing Co.
Reviewed by: Michael McGuire
Judges Rating:
94
Aroma:
23 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Mystery Ship is a red ale brewed with Brettanomyces yeast (Brett) and dry-hopped. As such, by definition it has both distinctive sour and “funky,” and intensely hoppy, aromas and flavors. It poured brownish-red and hazy into the glass, sporting a... Read More

Roxanne

Roxanne by Southbound Brewing Co.
Reviewed by: Michael McGuire
Judges Rating:
92
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

Roxanne by Southbound Brewing Co. is an American sour ale brewed with “tart” (presumably sour) cherries and aged in oak barrels.

Desert Dawn

Desert Dawn by Soutbound Brewing Co.
Reviewed by: Michael McGuire
Judges Rating:
88
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Judge’s Review: Desert Dawn by Southbound Brewing Co. is a Belgian Style Saison Ale brewed with elderberries and was judged as a Specialty Fruit Beer  (BJCP sub-style 29C).

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