Like American Pale Ale and IPA, the Imperial IPA and Barleywine categories can get muddled. This beer tends toward a barleywine due to the aroma which is very malty with burnt caramel, toffee, and even some vinous, aged ale notes. The resinous, woody hops are more in a backup role. The burnt... 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:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
London’s last traditional family brewery, Fuller’s Brewery has been producing singularly British ales for nearly 200 years. Fuller’s ESB, is the archetypal bitter, displaying a rather fruit forward, malty nose while packing a solid bitterness in the flavor. Rick immediately picked upon the “... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Since 1995, Sam Calagione’s Dogfish Head in Delaware has been providing the beer drinking public with characterful, sometimes offbeat but always tasty beers. The 90 Minute IPA epitomizes the in-your-face-style Sam’s beers tend to express, and clocking in at a whopping 9 percent alcohol by volume... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Papillion, Nebraska isn’t the first place your average beer hunter might consider when seeking out the origins of eclectic, Belgian-influenced farmhouse ales. Apricot Au Poivre Saison brims with brash, titillating notes of pineapple, citrus fruits, Tellicherry peppercorns, and fresh garden herbs... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Situated just outside downtown Harrisburg, Pa., Tröegs Brewing offers Tröegenator as a year-round staple in its impressive lineup. This multiple-award-winning brew, crafted with exacting attention to tradition, comes in at just over 8 percent ABV and compares favorably to the classic Bavarian... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
24 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20
Yet another intriguing beer from the folks at Tampa’s Cigar City Brewing, Good Gourd Imperial Pumpkin Ale is a seasonal special release – chock full of earthy pumpkin, enticing spices, and soothing alcohol warmth. Aromas of fresh baked pumpkin pie and French vanilla abound, all supported by lush... Read More