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Brian Eichhorn

Brian Eichhorn's picture
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.

 

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My reviews

pFriem Rum Barrel Aged Porter

pFriem Rum Barrel Aged Porter

Rum Barrel Aged Porter, pFriem Family Brewers
Description 

We age our Imperial Porter for a year in barrels kissed by the Caribbean, giving pFriem’s Rum Barrel Aged Porter notes of chocolate truffles, ripe cherries and vanilla beans. Drink in this captivating brew and taste luscious decadence.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
9.5%
IBUs: 
45
Served at: 
45 - 50ºF
Malts: 
Simpsons-Maris Otter-Finest, Caramalt, Crystal Dark, Crystal Extra Dark, Chocolate, Crisp-Pale Chocolate, Patagonia Perla Negra
Hops: 
Warrior, Chinook, Cascade

 

 


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Judges Rating:
88
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Rum-Barrel Aged Porter by pFriem Family Brewers is being judged as a 33B Specialty Wood-Aged beer, with an underlying style of Baltic porter. At any rate, in the glass, it's on the lighter side but still dark brown with a thin off-white head that persists. The nose is nice and complex, retaining... Read More

Mountain Glow

Mountain Glow

Vermont
United States
Mountain Glow, Stowe Cider
Description 

A semi dry cider with a subtle kick of ginger complimented by layers of bright lemon and orange zest.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
6.5%

 

 


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Judges Rating:
88
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Mountain Glow Cider by Stowe Cider is being evaluated as C2F, Specialty Cider. The cider pours effervescent with a persistent stream of mixed bubbles. Good clarity and quite bright overall. The nose shows the ginger first and foremost along with some pleasant dessert apple notes and distinct... Read More

The Russets

The Russets

The Russets, Snow Capped Cider
Description 

A blend of Russeted apples: Roxburry Russet, Golden Russet, and Egremont Russet. Russeted apples have a long history in cider making with their non-conventional appearance having no bearing on performance. They are work horses and often used for blending. We have carefully selected and blended three of our favorite Russets. The nose will speak deeply of honey, spice and warm pie out of the oven, a crisp balanced acid flow over the palate giving way to earthy notes and a lasting finish.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
7.0%

 

 


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Judges Rating:
91
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

The Russets by Snow Capped Cider is being evaluated as a C1A, New World Cider, per the 2015 BJCP Cider guidelines, though I'm not certain if that's totally correct. At any rate, it pours sparkling and clear in the glass with a slightly copper-tinged gold. Very attractive.

The nose has a... Read More

Naughty Girl Stout

Naughty Girl Stout by Right Brain Brewery
Judges Rating:
88
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

Naughty Girl Stout is a Mint Stout brewed by Right Brain Brewery and is being judge as a category 30A-Spice, Herb, or Vegetable Beer. Which is perhaps a shame, because it's a great stout that lacks for mint to really make it stand out! In the glass, it pours a deep and opaque brown-black with... Read More

The Cannibal

The Cannibal, Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant
Judges Rating:
88
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

The Cannibal by Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant was judged as a 25c Belgian Golden Strong Ale.

The beer pours a hazy gold that appears to have some suspended particulate, very fine with a frothy white head that persists. The nose is quite clean, though distinctly Belgian. Lightly... Read More

Beyond Resin

Beyond Resin, Upland Brewing Co.
Judges Rating:
92
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Beyond Resin by Upland Brewing Co. was judged as a 21a American IPA.

This beer pours mostly clear with a light haze. Deeply golden with a persistent white head that's very attractive. The aroma initially is intensely hop forward, showing guava and mango, followed by some durian and onion... Read More

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