Family-owned Bear Republic has been brewing distinctive beers in Sonoma County since first firing the kettle in 1996. At almost 7% ABV, Red Rocket Ale can be described as a bastardized Scottish style ale. Though evincing some classic California style hop aromas, the nose is dominated by sugary... 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:
24 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
19 / 24
Flavor:
33 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
15 / 20
Producing a wide range of sometimes quirky beers, London’s Greenwich Brewery, the home of Meantime Brewing, offers up a traditional take on a constantly updated style. Deservedly proud of their unwavering use of traditional British ingredients, Greenwich pumps Meantime India Pale Ale chock full... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Moinette enjoys worldwide acclaim as a true representative of an almost forgotten brewing tradition. In continuous production since 1955, and rife with beguiling aromas and flavors of banana, lemon zest, cloves, and French baguette, Moinette has always done an admirable job of cloaking its... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Not generally considered a coffee destination, Michigan is nonetheless home to an extraordinarily drinkable coffee stout – Founders Brewing’s Breakfast Stout. Brewed with chocolate and coffee, as well as the more traditional beer ingredients, and tipping the scales at close to 8.5 percent ABV,... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
24 / 24
Flavor:
32 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Still brewing with water from a well that was first sunk over 250 years ago, the venerable Samuel Smith’s Brewery, located in the picturesque Yorkshire countryside, remains true to tradition, fermenting most of its beers in open stone “squares.” Its trademark Nut Brown Ale is a rich tipple with... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20
Canned beer continues to carve out an increasingly sizeable niche in the American craft beer market, and Surly Brewing’s brown ale, Bender, stands shoulder to shoulder with the best and brightest. A relative newcomer on the scene, the artisans at the Twin Cities-area’s Surly Brewing have rapidly... Read More