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Dan Preston

Dan Preston's picture
Beer Judge

Dan discovered craft beer his junior year of college and never looked back. After a few years of brewery tours and tastings, he finally dove into homebrewing in 2009 when a work colleague was giving up the hobby. Shortly after, he joined one of the oldest club’s in the nation (Boston Wort Processors) and quickly got into judging beer and was a National-ranked BJCP judge by 2013. As an officer of the Worts since 2011, Dan has assisted in organizing several AHA/BJCP competitions as well as trying to promote beer education and experimentation. While he appreciates and makes all beer styles, Dan’s favorites are of the hoppy or sour variety, and has even had great luck combining the two.

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My reviews

Mardi Gras Bock

Mardi Gras Bock

Louisiana
USA
Mardi Gras Bock, Abita Brewing Co.
Description 

Mardi Gras Bock is the first of our seasonal brews. Abita Mardi Gras Bock is brewed with pale, pilsner and caramel malts and German Perle hops. Our bock is similar to German maibocks with its rich malt flavor and full body. A perfect choice during Carnival season in New Orleans. Gruyére, Emmental and Swiss are nice cheese choices with Bock. Great with roasted beef or pork. Try it with Mexican food, too.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
6.5%
IBUs: 
25
Malts: 
Pale, Pilsner, Caramel
Hops: 
German Perle

 

 


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Judges Rating:
82
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
19 / 24
Flavor:
32 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Mardi Gras Bock by Abita Brewing Co. is a Bock that falls under the BJCP 2021 Style Category 4C, Helles Bock. This style was previously known as Maibock, which is historically known as a seasonal offering associated with springtime and the month of May. It is similar... Read More

I.P.W.

upstate brewing ipw India Pale Wheat beer
Judges Rating:
86
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

This beer pours a clear, deep golden color with an orange hue and a long-lasting white head. The aroma is full of citrusy hops, peach, grapefruit, tangerine and a little earthy dankness. Underneath the hops is some doughy malt, light caramel and a hint of booze. The flavor is similar, but even... Read More

Summer Catch

Summer Catch by Cape May Brewing Co.
Judges Rating:
78
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
30 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

Summer Catch by Cape May Brewing is a Belgian Witbier (24A) with an American hop flair that pushes it into the BJCP 2015 category 21B (Specialty IPA – White IPA). From the start this beer doesn’t quite look the part of a wit pouring a straw yellow color with minor haze, but otherwise much... Read More

Hills Pils

Hills Pils, Hanging Hills Brewing Co.
Judges Rating:
84
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Hills Pils by Hanging Hills Brewing Co. is a pilsner that best fits under the BJCP category 5D German Pils. It pours a deep straw color approaching yellow, darkened by a slight level of haze, which is a bit more than one would expect for style, as well as a bright... Read More

El Gato Mariachi

El Gato Mariachi

North Carolina
United States
El Gato Mariachi, Catawba Brewing Co.
Description 

El Gato Mariachi incorporates all the traditional Horchata ingredients into a wheat ale base – along with a healthy dose of milk sugar. An addition of rice in the grain bill lightens the body for excellent drinkability, without sacrificing its creamy mouthfeel. The beer features an enticing aroma of freshly baked cinnamon rolls. It pours a milky straw color, and finishes with just the right blend of vanilla sweetness and a touch of cinnamon spice.
The recipe for this new Limited Release was developed in the Asheville pilot brewhouse, and proved to be one of Catawba's best-selling Small Batch releases of 2019.
The release was crafted as an homage to the famous drink of taquerias across Latin America, and envisioned as the perfect beer pairing for tacos. It also happens that Taco is the name of the brewery's Sales Manager's cat. So, when it came time to name the beer and create its character, the idea of a "taco beer" and Taco the Cat naturally aligned. Taco is on the label with the piercing green eyes, dressed in his finest charro suit.
El Gato will be available in tasting rooms on draft and in 6-pack cans throughout Catawba’s 5-state distribution area.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
5.3%
IBUs: 
15
Malts: 
Two-Row Pale, Malted Wheat
Hops: 
Summit

 

 


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Judges Rating:
82
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
18 / 24
Flavor:
32 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

El Gato Mariachi by Catawba Brewing Co. is a wheat ale (BJCP category 1D), but due to the additions of lactose, vanilla and cinnamon it shifts to Spice, Herb & Vegetable Beer, which is BJCP 2015 category 30A. This beer pours a light straw color with some haze, which is normal for a wheat... Read More

Cookie Season Stout - Samoa

Cookie Season Stout - Samoa

Cookie Season Stout - Samoa, Wild Leap Brew Co.
Description 

Blends rich and decadent flavors of caramel, coconut, and chocolate into a thick and creamy stout. *Contains Lactose*

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
13.0%
IBUs: 
45

 

 


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Judges Rating:
80
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
19 / 24
Flavor:
31 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Cookie Season Stout by Wild Leap Brew Co. is an Imperial Stout (BJCP category 20C), however, due to the addition of coconut it shifts to Spice, Herb & Vegetable Beer (BJCP Category 30A). This beer pours a very deep brown, not quite black in appearance. It has a... Read More

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