Produced by what is ostensibly the oldest operating brewery in the world, Weihenstephan Vitus is a rich, tempting weizenbock, loaded with ripe, juicy notes of bubblegum, bananas, and plums, as well as subtly spicy clove and pepper. Even at 7.7 percent ABV, the aroma shows only the merest whiff... Read More
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BC Review
The Expert Panel
The Beer Connoisseur® review was conducted as a round table single blind review by our panel of expert judges. Four to six judges reviewed 8-14 beers per session and submitted their individual scores and notes. The scores were averaged into a single score and notes compiled and summarized for publishing in magazine issues 1-14. These reviews have been republished here in this online format.
The names and biographies of the contributing judges were publsihed with each magazine issue and are listed below.
Charlie Gow - Founding Beer Review Coordinator (1960 - 2014)
Tim Artz
Tom Cannon
Phil Farrell
Pete Garofalo
Rick Garvin
Lee Anthony Hitchins
Owen Ogletree
My reviews
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
32 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
24 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
A recent addition to the brewery’s lineup, the St. Bernardus Witbier is a wonderful example of a style that nearly went extinct. Developed in cooperation with Pierre Celis, who almost single-handedly resurrected witbier, the St. Bernardus take on this timeless style evinces all the intriguing... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
32 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
15 / 20
Delaware-based Dogfish Head Brewing is known for brewing beers that are brash and full of character, and Raison D’Être is no exception. Although a little light for the style, the light copper color is pleasing and the beer throws a substantial off-white colored head. The aroma is subtly Belgian... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Now entering a third decade of brewing, Petaluma-based Lagunitas continues to produce some of the more idiosyncratic beers (and labeling) on the market today. “Censored” is no exception, having been renamed after a certain Federal agency censored the original label. The aroma is subtle, with... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
For over 25 years, Pittsburgh’s Penn Brewery has been knocking out top-notch German-style lagers and staunchly sticking to a no adjuncts rule. Penn Brewery’s Penn Dark is a traditional Munich-style Dunkel relying on Munich malts and Hallertau hops to deliver a truly authentic brew. Spicy,... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20
Heiner Brau’s German owner/brewmaster produces traditional lagers in Covington, La., with his German-style Maerzen being the brewery’s flagship brand. With brilliant clarity, a gorgeous amber/orange hue and a thick layer of off-white foam, this beer’s appearance elicited a unanimous “thumbs-up”... Read More