The Anderson Valley Brewing Company has spent the past 25 years in Mendocino County producing stellar brews for appreciative beer lovers. Hop Ottin’ IPA, a brewery mainstay, is all about hops. It overflows with aromas of citrus fruit, bakery fresh bread, and hints of lavender and thyme. Rick was... 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:
5 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Fort Collins, Colo., is home to a number of excellent breweries, and Odell is no exception. Their 5 Barrel Pale Ale is a classic interpretation of the English-style Pale Ale, attesting to a restrained hand on the bittering hops and a skillful blending of malts, all producing a wonderfully... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
15 / 20
Tucked away from the big city hubbub just north of the San Francisco Bay Area, Fort Bragg’s North Coast Brewing Company is a heavy hitter, perennially turning out a range of superb beers, including Old Rasputin Imperial Stout. Dominated by stingingly sharp espresso notes, the aroma also provides... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Deep, dark, and punishingly intense, this is yet another exemplary beer from the folks at Bear Republic. This beer has a rich, saturated black color that seems to absorb light, with a rocky, light brown head providing a nice visual counterpoint. The aroma is punctuated with strong notes of... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
29 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
14 / 20
Starting a second decade of brewing operations, Southern Tier Brewing Company enters the seasonal holiday beer fray with Pumking, its own unique take on imperial pumpkin ale. Brimming over with loads of nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice, married deftly with obscene quantities of sweet, chewy malt,... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Touted as “Texas’ Oldest Craft Brewery,” St. Arnolds continues to produce a respectable lineup of characterful beers in Houston including Fancy Lawnmower. Crisp and refreshing, Fancy Lawnmower won the 2010 Great American Beer Festival’s gold medal for German-style Kölsch. Light, perfumy... Read More