The beer pours a mahogany brown color with good clarity but the head dissipates immediately. Isovaleric acid (sweaty) and acetic acid (vinegar) dominate the aroma. If you can look beyond the vinegar, you might notice a slight smoky note with soft oak character. There are complex fruit qualities... Read More
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Mike Castagno
Beer Judge
Mike was born and raised in the Philadelphia area before going to school at Furman University in Greenville, SC for Chemistry. There he discovered craft beer from all of the local and nearby Asheville breweries. After moving back up north to Wilmington, DE, Mike stumbled upon an AHA Rally at a local brewpub and discovered that people were making high quality beer at home. He quickly jumped into the hobby and developed a passion for beer making. He’s been brewing since 2005 and has won a number of awards over the years. He relocated to Atlanta in 2007 and works in the field of polymer research & development. He loves to apply his chemistry and engineering knowledge to his brewing set up, always testing and optimizing. He decided to begin beer judging in 2009 to help make better beer and with dedication he has advanced to the rank of Master Beer Judge.
My reviews
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
18 / 24
Flavor:
33 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
15 / 20
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20
The immediate perception with this beer centers on its soft, grainy and doughy malt aroma that's reminiscent of oyster crackers and freshly baked bread. It was visually striking with a straw yellow color and a clean, pale white head. The beer is soft and smooth up front with a pleasant spicy hop... Read More
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
18 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
15 / 20
Lactic acid, sulfur dioxide and isovaleric acid are the initial aromatics here with lemon, grassy hops, and a winey Sauvignon Blanc character to follow. Brilliant clarity allows the straw-yellow color to radiate. There is a strong flavor of tetrahydropyridine, which presents in the form of bran... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
I am initially hit with a strong roast character that's full of burnt toast, ash and coffee grounds. This slowly gives way to a subtle bread crust and graininess with a bit of caramel notes to follow. The caramel amplifies as the beer warms, strongly affecting its body and balance. The beer... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20
With a Tripel, you are looking for a dry finish with a rocky head, moderate creaminess and a good balance between spicy phenols and fruity esters. In this example, isovaleric acid (sweaty) is prominent in the beginning with strong sulfur notes to follow. These issues dissipate over time. After a... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
With the first tasting, there was an exaggerated, obvious ruby red grapefruit aroma, almost seeming to be artificial in nature. The second tasting, however, provided a much more natural hop character: generically “citrusy” with notes of grapefruit, orange and a bit of lime. There was a... Read More