Convoluted aromas of dry wood, treacle, caramel candy, earthy hops, brown sugar, vanilla and allspice emerge from this dark amber, slightly hazy ale. Caramel malt flavors blend with dry, vanilla, oxidative whisky tones from barrel-aging, while favoring hops manage to peek through the barrel... 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:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
More widely known for crisp, refreshing lagers, tropical climes also host a number of breweries producing substantial ales, notably Foreign Extra Stout. Lion Brewery Ceylon, headquartered in Sri Lanka, produces the widely acclaimed Lion Stout, which packs a respectable 8/8% ABV. Rife with lush... Read More
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
18 / 24
Flavor:
33 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
15 / 20
In the shadow of the famed San Francisco Bay Bridge, 21st Amendment Brewery is known for producing solid and occasionally eccentric beers for a rapidly growing market. Since 2000, Nico Freccia and Shaun O’Sullivan have been bringing characterful beer to the Bay Area and are now sharing the... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
24 / 24
Flavor:
33 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Since first opening the doors and firing the kettles at New Glarus back in 1993, Deborah and Dan Carey have been producing some of the most noteworthy beers on the market. Outside of the brewery’s backyard, the beers have developed a “buy them if you can find them” cachet and inspire dedicated... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
When they decided to start packaging beer, 21st Amendment Brewery founders Nico Freccia and Shaun O’Sullivan opted for cans over bottles. If ever there was a beer to make believers out of those who turn up noses at canned beer, Hop Crisis is it. The aroma of this imperial IPA, is dominated by... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
15 / 20
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