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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.
Excelsior Imperial Apple by Schilling Hard Cider is being evaluated as a C1A New World Cider (per the 2021 BJCP Style Guidelines), as that seems the best fit.
This cider pours a deep burnished gold with a faint haze to it. Collapsing head here. Nose is super clean and expresses a deep... Read More
(American Wild Ale - Wild Specialty Beer - 28C) This beer is poured into the glass and has the appearance of those new school pale ales. It is a very turbid pale gold with a super resilient white head that sticks heavily to the glass, leaving robust lacing. The nose opens up with a bright... Read More
Mango Lime Pilsner by Uinta Brewing is a fairly refreshing pilsner with added fruit character. This beer is evaluated as 29a Fruit Beer.
In the glass, the beer is a hazy straw color with a persistent and frothy white head. The aroma presents with a distinct mix of mango and lime,... Read More
Situational Ethics - Maple Cognac by Monday Night Brewing was judged as a 33b-Specialty Wood-Aged Beer due to the use of a spirits barrel. In addition, the base style falls under 30a Spice, Herb or Vegetable beer due to it's use of hazelnuts, pecans, cocoa nibs and vanilla.
The beer shows... Read More
Focal Banger by The Alchemist was evaluated as a standard-strength Hazy IPA under BJCP Style 21B, Specialty IPA. The beer pours an opaque straw color with a frothy white head that slowly collapses. The nose is super fresh with candied tangerine, mango, light resin and graham cracker driving... Read More
Amendment Lager by 21st Amendment Brewery is being judged as an American Lager (Style 1B per the 2021 BJCP Style Guidelines), though a case could be made for Style 2A, International Pale Lager. This one pours a super-pale straw color with the faintest haze and a persistent white head.
The... Read More
