International Amber Lager (2b). This Amber Lager is poured into the glass with a deep, richly hued amber-gold color, almost honey like. It's faintly hazy with a creamy off-white head. The nose presents witha prominent spicy hopping with some pomme-type fruit notes from the hops, I believe.... Read More
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Brian Eichhorn
Beer, Mead & Cider Judge
Brian started diving into the world of craft beer in 2004, tracking all of the beers he tasted online, with notes. He picked up homebrewing in 2008 and began judging in 2010. Taking pride in the opportunity to give feedback to brewers of all sorts, he has progressed through the BJCP, attaining the rank of Master in 2013. He formerly acted as an Associate Exam Director for the BJCP, as well as an exam administrator and proctor, and presently holds the rank of Grand Master IV, as well as Mead judge. To him, the most important aspect of judging is to know your limits and learn how to recognize them and expand them. To achieve that end, Brian has judged in over 100 competitions in 12 states and counting, including the Great American Beer Festival, and visits innumerable breweries. He also helps organize a few competitions each year, including the role of judge coordinator for the Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beer (which you may know as FoBAB), the largest of its kind in the world.
My reviews
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
15 / 20
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Paradise Park by Urban South Brewery is an American Lager that is being judged as 1B-American Lager. Even with this being judged as an American Lager, I think it may be more of a hybrid of styles. Aromatically it is very fresh and spicy, with a noble-type hop aroma that is persistent and much... Read More
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
3 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
15 / 20
Oktoberfest by Wallenpaupack Brewing Co. was judged as a BJCP Style 6A - Märzen.
This pours very clear with only the faintest haze and with an off-white head of largish bubbles that collapses fairly quickly. The nose is brilliant. Loads of toasted bread and grain and the faintest whisper... Read More
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20
Year of the Fox by Social Fox Brewing is being evaluated here as a Grape Ale with Chardonnay grapes, category 29D (Grape Ale) in the 2021 BJCP guidelines. The beer pours a deep gold with a bronze tinge to it with minimal head that collapses relatively quickly. The nose on this one is pretty... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
6 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20
Stowford Press by Westons Cider is being evaluated as a English Cider, style C1B per the 2015 BJCP Cider guidelines, with the caveat that it doesn't cleanly fit in the prescribed category. This is sparkling and medium-dry, and lower in alcohol than typical.
On pouring, it pours a... Read More
Appearance:
3 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
German Pils (5D). This Pilsner pours very hazy and pale gold with a sticky white head that lasts. The clarity is definitely an issue and it appears to have fine particulate in suspension. The nose is very fresh and quite herbal, somewhat spicy and even fruity. More of a sharper herbal note and... Read More