Brad Darnell
Beer Judge
Brad became interested in the science behind beer while taking a senior elective course, Biochemical Engineering, where the professor spoke of enzymes and took the class on a brewery tour. He has since begun home brewing and earned a BJCP National rank, currently serving as volunteer exam grader while continuing to judge competitions around the U.S. In his spare time Brad visits breweries around the world, always on the hunt for those who produce world-class examples of hard-to-find, obscure or innovative styles.
My articles
Whiskey. Every libation-loving person across the world knows about this wonderful beverage, which refers to a barrel-aged distilled spirit made from...
Cool, crisp air ushers in a new season while the pumpkin and Oktoberfest beers of late summer and fall slowly give way their shelf space and tap...
The dog days of summer linger stubbornly for many of us around the world, while elsewhere the nights begin their gradual transition towards crisp...
My reviews
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Arches Festbier by Arches Brewing is an Oktoberfest-style lager that I am judging according to the 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines, Category 4B, Festbier.
A brilliantly clear and sparkling bright copper-colored beer supports a large, bubbly beige head that persists somewhat. Rich caramel malt... Read More
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Cherry Chocolate Milk Stout by Garage Brewing Co. was judged according to the 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines, Category 29A, Fruit Beer.
An initial fragrant, lightly perfumed cherry aroma draws my immediate attention to the glass where a brilliantly clear black beer awaits. Upon first full... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Hazy Boom by Garage Brewing Co. was judged according to the 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines, Category 21B, Specialty IPA: New England IPA.
The beer arrives displaying its cloudy, rich, straw/golden color with light orange hues and a large, frothy white head with long retention. The aroma is of... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
East Brother Red IPA by East Brother Beer Co. is a Red IPA and is being evaluated as a Specialty IPA: Red IPA (2015 BJCP Category 21B) offering according to BJCP guidelines. For this style expect an American IPA with more flavorful malt such as caramel, toffee, and/or dark fruit, but not sweet... Read More
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Quad Stack by Pontoon Brewing is a Belgian Quadrupel-style ale (a Belgian Dark Strong Ale in BJCP categorization) brewed with maple syrup. I am judging this according to the 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines, Category 31B, Alternative Sugar Beer, due to the maple syrup... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
East Brother Belgian Tripel by East Brother Beer Co. is a Belgian Tripel and is being evaluated as a Belgian Tripel (2015 BJCP Category 26C) offering according to BJCP guidelines. For this style expect a clean malt flavor and a spicy, dry, strong character that is fairly aromatic.
The... Read More
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