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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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.
Reviewed by: Michael McGuire
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Reviewed by: James Link
Aroma:
23 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
39 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
Poured from what appeared to be an eight-ounce bottle into a nine-ounce snifter and subsequently reviewed as per BJCP 2015 style guidelines under catagory 23B European Sour Ale , Flanders Red Ale.
Reviewed by: David Sapsis
Aroma:
23 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Judged as BJCP category 33. Wood Aged Russian Imperial Stout.
Poured into a tulip snifter, the beer appears black-opaque, with a light brown moussy foam that is beautiful while it lasts -- about three minutes. Such is the ephemeral... Read More
Reviewed by: David Sapsis
Aroma:
20 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Judges as BJCP cat. 24C Biere de Garde ( Amber)
Reviewed by: David Sapsis
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Judged as BJCP category 20A American Porter.
Reviewed by: Richard Wong
Aroma:
23 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Okay, here is an unusual one: a Sour IPA (whiskey barrrel aged). The best category for this beer is as a " Mixed Style." The pour featured a nice light brown hue that was cloudy and had a light carbonation and head retention that faded quickly.... Read More
Reviewed by: Richard Wong
Aroma:
24 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
Definition (Braggot) : An ancient medieval drink comprised of mead made with honey and barley malt. It typically uses 1/3 malted barley, but can have as much as 1/2. Can have hop bitterness in the recipe.
Reviewed by: Richard Wong
Aroma:
24 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
5 / 10
Overall Impression:
14 / 20
This is a barrel-aged quad (Belgian Dark Strong Ale) with an ABV of 12.1%. The aroma of this beer was wonderful with hints of dark fruit, raisins and a slight malt sweetness. Negligible in hop aroma, but that is okay and reflects the style... Read More
Reviewed by: John C. Tull
Aroma:
21 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Blood Orange Imperial Ale is being evaluated as a Fruit Beer (2015 BJCP Category 29A). Alcohol and malt sweetness, possibly combining with yeast esters, produce a cherry and mild bubblegum aroma in this blood orange infused imperial-strength... Read More
Reviewed by: John C. Tull
Aroma:
21 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Blueberry Oatmeal Stout is being evaluated as a Fruit Beer (2015 BJCP Category 29A). A mix of blueberry fruit and a back note of roast grains dominates the aroma.
Reviewed by: John C. Tull
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
33 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
15 / 20
Orange Blossom Cream Ale is being evaluated as a Specialty Fruit Beer (2015 BJCP Category 29C). There is no doubting that orange rind was involved in the production of this cream ale based beer.
Reviewed by: James Link
Aroma:
24 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Poured from a 12-ounce bottle and reviewed from a pint glass as a 22A Double IPA in accordance with 2015 BJCP style guidlines.
Reviewed by: James Link
Aroma:
20 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
I have evaluated the below described beer after a pour from a 12 ounce bottle into a .4L Pilsner glass. Since there are no recognized style guidelines for IPL's the following review is based on known parameters for lagers and how the ingredients... Read More
Reviewed by: Tracy Hensley
Aroma:
23 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Ee Tah! IPA is a Double IPA, and was evaluated as a Double IPA (2015 Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) Category 22A) offering according to BJCP guidelines.
Reviewed by: Tracy Hensley
Aroma:
23 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout is an Oatmeal Stout, and was evaluated as an oatmeal stout (2015 Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) Category 16B) offering according to BJCP guidelines. For this style, characteristics of complimentary roast, malt... Read More
Reviewed by: Tracy Hensley
Aroma:
23 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Anderson Valley Wild Turkey Bourbon Barrel Stout is a Bourbon Barrel Stout, and was evaluated as a specialty wood-aged beer (2015 Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) Category 33B) offering according to BJCP guidelines. For this style, one... Read More