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Michael Heniff

Michael Heniff's picture
Beer Judge

Mike brewed his first few homebrew batches in college in 1994 and began regularly brewing in 1997.  Since then, he has brewed over 150 batches of beer, mead, and cider.  He has won over 200 medals and numerous major awards in competitions across the country.  His highest accomplishments include winning the Templeton Award (most points) of the Dixie Cup (one of the largest single-site homebrew competitions in the world) a record four times, Gulf Coast Homebrewer of the Year, and Lone Star Circuit Homebrewer of the Year.  He has had his recipes brewed at commercial breweries seven times.

Mike particularly enjoys traveling to find new beers.  He has made numerous travels abroad to find great beer, most frequently to Belgium and Germany.  He has logged over 6800 beers in his tasting journal, including over 620 beers from Belgium alone.  Mike has had brewing and beer travel articles published by Brew Your Own and Zymurgy magazines.

Mike is a current member of the Houston Foam Rangers Homebrew Club where he has held numerous officer positions.  He was also the founding President of the Lone Star Circuit and a former long time officer. He currently ranks as a Grand Master III BJCP judge.  He has judged in over 70 competitions across the United States, frequently serving on Best of Show panels.

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My reviews

Buffalo Trace Barrel Aged Stout

Buffalo Trace Barrel Aged Stout

Buffalo Trace Barrel Aged Stout, Wild Leap Brew Co.
Description 

Stout aged in six select buffalo trace barrels for nine months and blended for our four year anniversary.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
13.5%
IBUs: 
30

 

 


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Judges Rating:
91
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Buffalo Trace Barrel Aged Stout by Wild Leap Brew Co. is a barrel-aged imperial stout and is being evaluated as a Specialty Wood-Aged Beer (category 33B from the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Specialty Wood-Aged Beers are aged in spirit barrels and should have a... Read More

Chimay Grande Réserve

Chimay Grande Réserve, Abbaye de Scourmont
Judges Rating:
94
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Chimay Grande Réserve by Abbaye de Scourmont​ is a Trappist beer and is being evaluated as a Belgian Dark Strong Ale (category 26D in the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Belgian Dark Strong Ales are deceptively strong dark beers that have a harmony of rich malt, fruity esters and peppery... Read More

Virgil's Reserve

Virgil's Reserve by Grist Brewing Co.
Judges Rating:
94
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

This beer is a barrel aged version of their Third Ring Belgian Strong Ale that is aged in Cabernet Sauvignon wine barrels for a year.  The aroma is an abundance of cherry, red grape, and prune fruit paired with vanilla and toasted oak; a light bready malt compliments the fruit and wood while a... Read More

Klieg Kölsch

Klieg Kölsch

Georgia
United States
Klieg Kölsch, Arches Brewing
Description 

Klieg is a light, golden, beer that is top-fermented and well-lagered. Expect doughy pilsner malt up front and a crisp hop finish.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
5.0%
IBUs: 
22
Malts: 
Barke Pilsner
Hops: 
Tettnang

 

 


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Judges Rating:
94
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

Klieg Kölsch by Arches Brewing is being evaluated as a Kölsch (category 5B in the 2021 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). The Kölsch style is a German ale that has a delicate balance of malt, hops and esters.

Klieg pours golden in color with excellent clarity and a... Read More

Cloud Sourced Hazy Juicy IPA

Cloud Sourced Hazy Juicy IPA

Connecticut
United States
Cloud Sourced Hazy Juicy IPA, Two Roads Brewing
Description 

Cloud Sourced is a 6.5% hazy, juicy IPA that has an intense, citrus juiciness balanced with a soft malt core that, as the brand puts it “puts you on Cloud Nine!” Cloud Sourced is brewed with Cascade, Columbus, Centennial, Simcoe, Chinook, Citra hops.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
6.5%
Hops: 
Cascade, Columbus, Centennial, Simcoe, Chinook, Citra

 

 


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Judges Rating:
93
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Cloud Sourced Hazy Juicy IPA by Two Roads Brewing Co. is a hazy, juicy IPA (New England IPA) and is being evaluated as a Specialty IPA (category 21B in the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). New England IPAs are known for their juicy/tropical fruit/citrusy hop-forward character, hazy appearance ... Read More

Judges Rating:
78
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
19 / 24
Flavor:
32 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
14 / 20

Triporteur Bling Bling Imperial King from the B.O.M. Brewery is being evaluated as a Belgian Golden Strong Ale (category 25C of the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Belgian Golden Strong Ales are noted for their deceptive strength, light color and complex malt profile as well as prominent yeast... Read More

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