Set on the shores of Lake Erie and situated just across the street from the famed Westside Market, Cleveland’s own Great Lakes Brewing Company has been bringing the beer since 1988. These days they produce over 100,000 barrels annually and continue to deliver the goods with a star-studded lineup... 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:
21 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
15 / 20
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Intense smoke dominates upon fi rst sniff, with a distinctive beechwood-lox character. The smokiness covers any trace of hops, but some toasty, grainy malt aroma does escape. The flavor is initially reminiscent of cured meat (ham or bacon). Some toasty melanoidins complement the pervasive smoke... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
24 / 24
Flavor:
39 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
The venerated Hofbräuhaus invariably comes up in any discussion concerning “classic” or “epic” breweries, and their sublime Münchner Dunkel most certainly contributes to the reverence in which beer aficionados hold the brewery. This beer bursts with lush aromas of sweet caramel and light toffee... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20
A beautifully crafted Belgian-style dark strong ale, Trois Pistoles is an opulent beer with multiple layers of continually evolving aromas and flavors. It pours as a profoundly dark amber, almost chocolate brown, somewhat hazy beer crowned by a luxuriant, silky off-white head. The aroma is... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Harking from a city familiar with top shelf breweries, BridgePort Brewing of Portland has produced some of the Oregon’s best-selling beers for almost three decades. In production for almost 25 years, Blue Heron Pale Ale is unquestionably BridgePort’s flagship ale. Flush with earthy, floral hop... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
39 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Redolent of American hops, Hop Head Red is aptly named, with a monster aromatic assault of satsuma, pine needles, grapefruit and gooseberries. Deep copper, verging on brown, this brew throws the barest hint of a haze and is topped by a dense, off-white head. No subtle aromas here – this is in-... Read More