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Brad Darnell
Beer Judge
Brad became interested in the science behind beer while taking a senior Chemical Engineering elective course, Biochemical Engineering, where the professor spoke of enzymes (among other things) and took the class on a brewery tour. He has since begun home brewing and earned a BJCP Grand Master II rank, currently serving as the Mountain/Northwest Regional Representative and Associate Exam Director while continuing to judge competitions around the U.S. and educating himself and others. 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:
4 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
Lone Buffalo: Rye Barrel Aged Stout by Wild Leap Brew Co., and I am judging this according to the 2021 BJCP Style Guidelines, Category 33B – Specialty Wood-Aged Beer.
A dark black, nearly opaque beer arrives with a large, fizzy brown head that fizzles away quickly despite bubbles... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Hell or High Twilight by 21st Amendment Brewing Co. is being judged according to the 2021 BJCP Style Guidelines, Category 29A – Fruit Beer.
Medium-high fragrant candied orange peel emanates from the glass presented to me, piercing out... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Citrus IPA by Garage Brewing Co. is a Fruited IPA and is being evaluated as a Fruit Beer (2015 BJCP Category 29A) offering according to BJCP guidelines. For this style expect the fruit to add character to the base beer, but not overwhelm it. For an American IPA expect a hoppy and bitter beer... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
24 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
Irish Coffee Barrel-Aged Legion by Community Beer Co. is being evaluated as a Wood-Aged Beer (2015 BJCP Category 33A) offering according to BJCP guidelines. For this style expect the base beer to remain present while the barrel-aged character provides additional character from the barrel contact... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
39 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
Jet Black Scream by Gnarly Barley Brewing Co. being judged according to the 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines, Category 21B - Specialty IPA: Black IPA.
A moderate roasted black malt aroma mixed with fresh floral and pine hops greets my nose. The beer pours a clear black with dark brown hues and... Read More
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
18 / 24
Flavor:
29 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
14 / 20
Old Gold by Grain Theory is being judged according to the 2021 BJCP Style Guidelines, Category 5D – German Pils.
The glass arrives with a nearly clear dark golden orange beer and a small bubbly white that persists as a thin and patchy... Read More