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Brad became interested in the science behind beer while taking a senior 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 I rank, currently serving as volunteer exam grader 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.
Samuel Adams Jack-O Pumpkin Ale by The Boston Beer Co., and I am judging this according to the 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines, Category 30B, Autumn Seasonal Beer.
A medium-sweet pumpkin and yam aroma greats my nose alongside typical pumpkin pie spices of cinnamon, nutmeg and brown sugar. The... Read More
White Oak by Urban South Brewery is being judged according to the 2021 BJCP Style Guidelines, Category 33A – Wood-Aged Beer.
Soft, lightly sweet oak greet me immediately alongside medium cedar, coconut and mandarin orange hops and light... Read More
pFriem Oktoberfest by pFriem Family Brewers was judged according to the 2021 BJCP Style Guidelines, Category 4B – Festbier.
A lightly hazy, rich and deep golden straw-colored beer arrives with a two-inch tall, bubbly and somewhat fizzy... Read More
Starburst IPA by Ecliptic Brewing is an IPA and is being evaluated as an American IPA (2015 BJCP Category 21A), according to BJCP guidelines. For this style, expect a hoppy and bitter beer with balanced malt character. These are bolder than American Pale Ales and present a hop-forward balance, a... Read More
180 Shilling by Odell Brewing Co. is an Oak-Aged Ale and is being evaluated as a Wood-Aged Beer (2015 BJCP Category 22A) offering according to BJCP guidelines. For this style expect intense hoppiness supported by malt without being as sweet as an American Barleywine.
I am presented with a... Read More
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
