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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

Abita Amber Lager

Abita Amber Lager

Louisiana
United States
Abita Amber Lager, Abita Brewing Co.
Description 

Amber Lager is a Munich style lager brewed with pale and caramel malts and German Perle hops. It has a smooth, malty, slightly caramel flavor and a rich amber color. Abita Amber was the first beer offered by the brewery and continues to be our leading seller. Amber Lager is Abita’s most versatile beer for pairing with food. It has been voted "best beer" in numerous New Orleans reader polls and is used frequently in recipes of great Louisiana chefs.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
4.5%
IBUs: 
17
Served at: 
40º F
Malts: 
Pale, Caramel
Hops: 
German Perle

 

 


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Judges Rating:
93
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Abita Amber Lager by Abita Brewing Co. was judged against the 2015 BJCP guidelines for category 2B International Amber Lager.  

Amber lagers owe their provenance to the Vienna style first brewed by Anton Dreher in 1840s Austria. They combined the crispness of the emerging lager family ... Read More

Straw-BERRY Fields Hazy Milkshake IPA

Straw-BERRY Fields Hazy Milkshake IPA

California
United States
Straw-BERRY Fields Hazy Milkshake IPA, Garage Brewing Co.
Description 

Citra, Mosaic, and Ekuanot join forces to juice up your hazy experience. If you love a juicy, full-bodied hazy IPA, you can just say thank you.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
7.3%
Hops: 
Mosaic, Citra, Ekuanot

 

 


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Judges Rating:
91
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

Straw-BERRY Fields Hazy Milkshake IPA by Garage Brewing Co. was judged according the the 2021 BJCP guidelines for category 29A Fruit Beer - strawberry fruit mixed in a Hazy IPA base style.

The beer is presented in a large krug glass at 50oF, and shows a milky light amber color with a... Read More

Stone 27th Anniversary Lemon Shark Double IPA

Stone 27th Anniversary Lemon Shark Double IPA

California
USA
Stone 27th Anniversary Lemon Shark Double IPA, Stone Brewing
Description 

For this year’s anniversary beer, we found inspiration in the southern hemisphere. This double IPA is brewed with Peacharine and Riwaka hops, along with a special ingredient called Phantasm – an extract from sauvignon blanc grape skins – all sourced from New Zealand. Combined with some good old fashioned Mosaic hops from the US and an amped up grain bill and we’ve got ourselves a unique sensory experience full of dankness and tropical citrusy notes. Coming in at a smooth 9.6% in honor of the year we started: 1996.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
9.6%
IBUs: 
43
Hops: 
Peacharine, Riwaka, Mosaic, Magnum

 

 


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Judges Rating:
88
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
19 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Stone 27th Anniversary Lemon Shark Double IPA by Stone Brewing is being judged according to BJCP category 22A, Double IPA, from the 2021 Guidelines. Despite the addition of Phantasm, a grapeskin-derived product designed to promote fruity aromas, the beer was not... Read More

Biere de Triomphe

Judges Rating:
86
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Judges as BJCP cat. 24C Biere de Garde ( Amber)

The beer was served in a stemmed chalice, poured aggressively. The color is a medium brown with appreciable muddy haze. Foam stand fails, but a modest protein lace clings to the rim. A steady bead of outgassing (large bubbles) indicates a... Read More

Belgian Strong Dark

Judges Rating:
86
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Belgian Strong Dark by pFriem Family Brewers was judged as BJCP Category 26D, Belgian Strong Dark Ale.  Served at 50oF.

The beer is served in a large tulip snifter showing a deep brown-mahogany with a light haze. A thick, tan foam of mixed-size bubbles fades fairly quickly even though the... Read More

La Fin du Monde

La Fin du Monde, Unibroue
Judges Rating:
91
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

La Fin Du Monde by Unibroue is being judged as BJCP category 26C, Belgian Tripel. The beer is presented in a tulip glass at 48°F, showing a light amber color around 7 SRM, a distinct thick haze, and a lovely creamy foam stand that lasts minutes.

The aroma is biscuity-dry with obvious... Read More

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