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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

Red Barn Ale

Red Barn Ale Lost Abbey Beer
Judges Rating:
88
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

For the past four years, the former Pizza Port director of brewing operations, Tomme Arthur, has been producing some of California’s most sought-after beers at Port Brewing Company/ the Lost Abbey. The brewery’s long list of awards and honors attest to Arthur’s devotion to his craft, and Red... Read More

Demo

Demo
Judges Rating:
90
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Brewing on the shores of Lake Champlain, Magic Hat offers a huge roster of tasty, often quirky brews. Demo is a Northeastern riff on the black Cascadian-style IPA, yet doesn’t stray too far from the classic profile. Rife with aromas of dark coffee, unctuous Belgian chocolate and plums, Demo... Read More

India Ale

Samuel Smith's Brewery India ale beer
Judges Rating:
89
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Most assuredly an English-style India Pale Ale, Samuel Smith’s India Ale is a wonderful example of the venerable Tadcaster-based brewery’s work. English-style IPAs aren’t as assertively hopped as their American counterparts, nor are they as “big” all around, but they still retain a depth and... Read More

32°/50° Kölsch

32/50 Kölsch Coast Brewing Beer
Judges Rating:
86
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Made in a biodiesel-fired brewhouse, 32/50 Kölsch represents a unique take on the august Köln-based style. Coast Brewing uses certified organic malts and classic German hops to capture the style’s distinctive aromas and flavors. Delicate, fragrant notes of lemon verbena and vanilla float over a... Read More

The Sixth Glass

The Sixth Glass Boulevard beer
Judges Rating:
88
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Another entry in the “Quadrupel” style, Sixth Glass packs a fairly serious punch from its 10.5 percent ABV and overflows with lush tropical fruit aromas and flavors. With this brew, Boulevard continues the developing trend of American brewers producing credibly authentic Belgian-style beers.... Read More

Vitus

Vitus
Judges Rating:
86
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

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