Hailing from the northern Franconian town of Bamberg, Aecht Schlenkerla truly is the quintessential rauchbier. The aroma, redolent of rich beech wood smoke, pervades the room as soon as the beer hits the glass. Though pungently smoky, the aroma still evinces a slightly toasty malt character... 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:
24 / 24
Flavor:
39 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
20 / 20
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
One of 24 Köln-based signatories to the Kölsch Convention, Reissdorf produces their flagship beer in strict compliance with the tenets of the Convention as well as the Reinheitsgebot. This is a classic Kölschbier, displaying subtle aromas of faintly crackery malt and restrained, pear-like... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
15 / 20
Although not an overly popular style, more and more brewers are producing sweet stouts, and Left Hand Brewing has a winner on their hands. The judges praised this beer for its luscious, creamy, long lasting, beige head, as well as its deep, saturated brown color and brilliant clarity. In keeping... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Hops initially leap out with an herbal, leafy character atop a bouquet of pine and citrus. Fruity tones include berry, melon and stone fruit with light accents of tropical fruit adding an interesting layer. Malt is a light grainy presence in the aroma, but is more notable in the flavor,... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
32 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
15 / 20
John Hall decided to thumb his nose at convention and started business on Friday the 13th. More than 20 years hence, Goose Island is a landmark brewery, producing distinctive beers that are anything but conventional. Its 312 Urban Wheat, which won a gold medal from the 2010 Great American Beer... Read More