Portsmouth, N.H., is home to the award-winning Smuttynose Brewing, yet another of the long list of stellar breweries that came onto the scene in the mid-’90s. Though focused mainly on producing exceptional ales, they do occasionally drift into lagers, including S’Muttonator, their traditional... 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:
20 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
39 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
Simply put, a transcendent beer that can fundamentally change the way one views bottled stouts. A deep, richly saturated mahogany, almost brown color is capped off by a high, creamy khaki-colored head -- this beer just looks appetizing. The aroma comes on strong, with big roast barley, French-... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
19 / 24
Flavor:
33 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20
Since launching in 2003, Thomas Hooker Brewing Company has pumped out a lineup of solid ales and lagers from the brewery in Bloomfield, Connecticut. While traditionally a seasonal, Thomas Hooker offers its rich chocolate and roasted coffee-accented Doppelbock year round – noteworthy considering... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
The waves of clove, ripe banana, and sweet tangerine aromas wafting from the glass of Schneider Weisse Original promise great things within. This brew from the producers of acclaimed Bavarian weissbiers impressed Pete with its luscious banana and tropical fruit. But he felt the spicy clove notes... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
19 / 24
Flavor:
33 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
15 / 20
As expected of the style, this beer displayed hints of coffee, cocoa and earthy hops in the aroma, which is complex and constantly evolving. Rick offered praise for its light milk chocolate and sweet malt finish, yielding herbal hints of sweet hay and rosemary over the malt. The chocolate,... Read More
Appearance:
3 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
31 / 40
Mouthfeel:
5 / 10
Overall Impression:
14 / 20
The Lost Abbey of San Marcos has been producing esoteric Belgian-influenced ales since 2006 and co-founder Tomme Arthur continues the trend with his acclaimed Cuvee de Tomme. Unfortunately, our samples arrived with virtually no carbonation, which seriously hampered the beer’s ability to present... Read More