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David Sapsis

David Sapsis's picture
Beer & Cider Judge

Dave has been brewing beer since 1983 and judging since 1985. He holds the BJCP rank of Grand Master II, and has served in the program as Exam Assistant Director, Exam Director, and Western Representative on the BJCP Board of Directors.  Early in his brewing, while at the University of California pursuing a degree in Forestry, he met a young woman who worked in a world-class yeast lab (the Professor of the lab recently won a Nobel Prize), who helped him build a diverse yeast bank. He married her.  

In addition to brewing beers regularly and evaluating beers wherever he goes, Dave likes to cook and dabbles in charcuterie and motorcycle racing. In his day job, he works as a wildland fire scientist for the State of California.

 

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My reviews

Samuel Adams Just The Haze

Samuel Adams Just The Haze

Massachusetts
United States
Samuel Adams Just The Haze, Boston Beer Co.
Description 

As is classic with IPAs Samuel Adams Just the Haze has an upfront citrus aroma with hints of grapefruit, tangerine and lime complemented by tropical fruit notes like pineapple, guava and passion fruit. Many NA beers feel watery, but Just the Haze has a full body mouthfeel and smooth finish. Its appearance is a hazy pale amber with the golden, orange glow of sunrise.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
0.0%
IBUs: 
35
Malts: 
Samuel Adams Two-Row Pale Malt Blend, White Wheat, Golden Naked Oats
Hops: 
Citra, Mosaic, Sabro, Cascade

 

 


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Judges Rating:
93
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Samuel Adams Just The Haze by The Boston Beer Co. was judged as style 34C Experimental Beer. Maybe in the next version of the guidelines we will see non-alcoholic beers get their "close-up.".Still, knowing the target base beer as a flavor target makes the evaluation at least somewhat tractable... Read More

Stone Buenavida Hard Seltzer - Mango

Stone Buenavida Hard Seltzer - Mango

California
United States
Stone Buenavida Hard Seltzer - Mango, Stone Brewing
Description 

Heady, tropical mango transports you directly to island time. In our quest to enable our brewers to push the boundaries of what’s possible, we took on the challenge of creating a line of hard seltzers that were so good - or rather, Buena - we simply had to show them off to the world. Buenavida Hard Seltzers, in their custom-molded glass bottles, are 100 calories, sugar-free and gluten-free.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
5.0%

 

 


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Judges Rating:
88
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Stone Buenavida Hard Seltzer - Mango by Stone Brewing Co. is being judged as a fruited seltzer with mango flavoring against the 2022 Beer Connoisseur Seltzer Guidelines for fruit seltzers.

The seltzer is presented to me at 42 degrees Fahrenheit in a kölsch stange, a narrow tube-shaped... Read More

Phantom Bride IPA

Phantom Bride IPA by Belching Beaver Brewery
Judges Rating:
91
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

This beer was judged as BJCP category 21.A (American IPA) and served at 45 degrees F.

The beer comes to me in a nonic imperial pint after a robust pour: the beer is medium gold in color (~5 SRM) with a distinct haze. The foam is a thick off-white of mixed bubbles exhibiting excellent... Read More

Judges Rating:
84
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
19 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Breckenridge Biere de Garde by Breckenridge Brewery​ is being judged as BJCP category 24C, Biere de Garde.

It comes served in a narrow-tapered glass, and the color is a deep orange/polished copper and both clarity and foam are fantastic. The beer is evidently highly conditioned as the ... Read More

Lightpoint

Lightpoint

Michigan
United States
Lightpoint by New Holland Brewing Co.
Description 

Lightpoint is a Functional White Ale that offers a low-calorie option without compromising full craft flavor. Brewed with Coconut Water, Raw Honey and Orange Peel, this refreshing brew is best enjoyed with friends after a day of hard work and exercise.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
3.7%
Served at: 
40 - 45º F

 

 


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Judges Rating:
91
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Lightpoint by New Holland Brewing Co. is billed as a "Functional White Ale" and was judged against BJCP category 24A, Witbier, a fantastic style of Belgian wheat beer typically exhibiting wheat character, aromatic perfuminess and spicing from coriander and dried orange peel -- often both bitter... Read More

pFriem Bourbon Barrel Aged Barleywine

pFriem Bourbon Barrel Aged Barleywine

pFriem Bourbon Barrel Aged Barleywine, pFriem Family Brewers
Description 

Bourbon Barleywine is spicy and a bit surly, a beautifully big sipper with soft hits of caramel, baking spice and oak. Spicy and impetuous now, with years of aging, this big brew will mellow with transcendent complexity and luscious mouthfeel.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
11.0%
IBUs: 
33
Served at: 
45º - 50º F
Malts: 
Simpson’s Golden Promise, Carafa II, Demerara sugar
Hops: 
Chinook, Cascade

 

 


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Judges Rating:
86
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

pFriem Bourbon Barrel Aged Barleywine by pFriem Family Brewers is being judged under the guidance of BJCP category 33B, Specialty Wood-Aged Beer, where distinct alcohol and barrel character are expected to carry over to the finished beer.  In this case, the underlying style is barleywine, an... Read More

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