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Brad Darnell
Beer Judge
Brad became interested in the science behind beer while taking a senior Chemical Engineering elective course, Biochemical Engineering, where the professor spoke of enzymes (among other things) and took the class on a brewery tour. He has since begun home brewing and earned a BJCP Grand Master II rank, currently serving as the Mountain/Northwest Regional Representative and Associate Exam Director while continuing to judge competitions around the U.S. and educating himself and others. In his spare time Brad visits breweries around the world, always on the hunt for those who produce world-class examples of hard-to-find, obscure or innovative styles.
My articles
Whiskey. Every libation-loving person across the world knows about this wonderful beverage, which refers to a barrel-aged distilled spirit made from...
Cool, crisp air ushers in a new season while the pumpkin and Oktoberfest beers of late summer and fall slowly give way their shelf space and tap...
The dog days of summer linger stubbornly for many of us around the world, while elsewhere the nights begin their gradual transition towards crisp...
My reviews
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20
Samuel Adams Jack-O Pumpkin Ale by The Boston Beer Co., and I am judging this according to the 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines, Category 30B, Autumn Seasonal Beer.
A medium-sweet pumpkin and yam aroma greats my nose alongside typical pumpkin pie spices of cinnamon, nutmeg and brown sugar. The... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Black Soul RyePA from Low Road Brewing was judged according to the 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines, Category 21B – Specialty IPA.
A fragrant nose of roasted malt mixed with spicy rye, pine and resin hops greet me at first whiff. The beer is a quite clear dark... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
pFriem West Coast IPA by pFriem Family Brewers ws judged according to the 2021 BJCP Style Guidelines, Category 21A – American IPA.
I am presented with a slightly hop-hazy straw-colored beer with a one-inch head of mixed-size bubbles,... Read More
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20
Hookiebobb IPA by Crazy Mountain is an IPA and is being evaluated as an American IPA (2015 BJCP Category 21A) offering according to the BJCP guidelines. For this style expect bold, assertive and aggressive American hops with substantial bitterness. These beers are typically fermented clean and... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
19 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Hammer Chain by Odell Brewing Co. is being evaluated as a Double IPA (2015 BJCP Category 22A) offering according to BJCP guidelines. For this style expect intense hoppiness supported by malt without being as sweet as an American Barleywine.
The initial look shows a lightly hazy golden... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Arches Festbier by Arches Brewing is an Oktoberfest-style lager that I am judging according to the 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines, Category 4B, Festbier.
A brilliantly clear and sparkling bright copper-colored beer supports a large, bubbly beige head that persists somewhat. Rich caramel malt... Read More