Brewing powerhouse Boston Beer Company has diverged from the ubiquitous Samuel Adams label in its recent foray into big beer – Griffin’s Bow Oaked Blonde Barleywine Ale. True to the style, Griffin’s Bow boasts a nose chock full of sweet malt, ripe fruit, and most prominently, alcohol. Pete liked... 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:
4 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
33 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
24 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
From Stone’s humble Southern California beginnings back in 1996, Steve Wagner and Greg Koch have grown their operation into a craft beer powerhouse, producing some of the most widely recognized and sought-after beers anywhere. Ruination IPA is one such beer, boasting an incredible 100+ IBUs and... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
32 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Established in 1980, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company has evolved from a tiny local brewery to a craft brewing giant. Seasonal newcomer Ruthless Rye IPA boasts complex, spicy aromas and flavors, all underpinned by a solid American IPA. Delicate aromas of pepper and warm spice lead off, followed... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
24 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
Nestled quietly in Blue Lake, Calif., Mad River is just finishing up its second decade of brewing operations. From the beginning, back in 1990, they have churned out beers of exceptional character and quality, and their vintages of John Barleycorn top the list of California’s most sought-after... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
32 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20
Produced by what is ostensibly the oldest operating brewery in the world, Weihenstephan Vitus is a rich, tempting weizenbock, loaded with ripe, juicy notes of bubblegum, bananas, and plums, as well as subtly spicy clove and pepper. Even at 7.7 percent ABV, the aroma shows only the merest whiff... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Although not a wildly popular style, American dark lager is starting to build a following, and Full Sail Brewing’s Session Black Lager is a stellar example. Perched on the Columbia River, overlooking some of the best sailboarding water in the world, Full Sail turns out an extensive portfolio of... Read More