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BC Review

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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

Session Black Lager

Session Black Lager
Judges Rating:
91
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

Black Chocolate Stout

Judges Rating:
88
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

A venerable entry in the Imperial Stout category, this broad-shouldered brew that drinks well in its youth yet achieves an incredible depth and complexity with a couple of years of bottle age. Pours a deep, obsidian black, flashing ruby red highlights at the edge of the glass, and capped off by... Read More

Blue Sunday Sour

Judges Rating:
93
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

Pungent and tartly sour, New Holland’s Blue Sunday Sour lives up to its moniker, showing a distinctly wild side, a quenching acidity and overtones of aged American oak. A complex blend of barrel-soured beers, this brew challenges conventional concepts of what beer should be. Faintly wine-like... Read More

Troublette

Troublette
Judges Rating:
80
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
32 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
15 / 20

Tucked quietly away in the picturesque Wallonian province of Namur, Brasserie Caracole produces a number of artisanal Belgian ales including Troublette. More subtle than other witbiers, Troublette’s aroma is an alluring mélange of tangy lemon zest, Tellicherry peppercorns, and cotton candy.... Read More

Tire Bite

Retired Tire Bite
Judges Rating:
92
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

With Tire Bite Golden Ale, Flying Dog shows why they are a powerhouse, perennially award-winning brewery. Exceptionally well-crafted, this brew is crisp, refreshing and reminiscent of the fruitier examples of the classic Kölschbiers. Pours an inviting brilliant gold, topped by a meringue-like,... Read More

Burton Baton

Burton Baton Dogfish Head Beer
Judges Rating:
92
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

Dogfish Head’s mastermind, Sam Calagione, has never been apologetic in his pursuit of beers that push stylistic boundaries, creating some of the most sought after brews on the market today. The sublimely wood-aged Burton Baton IPA is just one of those beers. Oozing with massive notes of sultry... Read More

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