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Garrick van Buren
Beer Judge
Garrick is a National Judge as ranked by the BJCP and a Certified Cicerone®. He started training his beer palate and vocabulary in 2012. You can find him in his suburban Minneapolis garage brewing a long-forgotten historical beer style or another medal-winning Belgian-style beer.
My articles
As Mythbusters' ballistics expert, Adam Savage, has said: "Remember kids, the only difference between screwing around and science is writing it down...
My reviews
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
18 / 24
Flavor:
32 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20
The aroma from this clear, brown beer with a dense tan head is a complex mix of black cherries, oranges, malt vinegar, and hints of wood. The flavor is an evenly balanced delicate blend of sweet malt, black cherries, orange, and a light acetic sourness. The 5% ABV, medium body, light carbonation... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
14 / 20
This beer has an opaque, dark brown body with bright, sparkling ruby gem highlights capped with a dense, persistent beige head of tiny bubbles. Its aroma is filled with freshly percolated coffee, dark chocolate, and brown malt followed by very light notes of red apple flesh and orange slices.... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
The brilliantly clear amber body and the slowly dissipating ivory head delivers an aroma of biscuits, caramel, toast, and honey. The esters dominant in other Belgian styles are not present here. The flavor is a delicate, complex, well-balanced blend of bread crust, honey and floral hops with... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
14 / 20
The opaque black body of the Lunatic Imperial Stout is crowned with a persistent head of tiny brown bubbles and an inviting aroma of rich dark coffee roast and chocolate oranges. No burnt notes, caramel, or fruity esters in the aroma. When swirled, the legs on the side of the glass betray the 9... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
32 / 40
Mouthfeel:
6 / 10
Overall Impression:
14 / 20
The brilliantly clear gold body and bright white head give off a complex aroma dominated by resiny hops and supported by light caramel, honey, grapefruit, orange, and some light strawberry esters. It has a light water cracker-esque body with hints of caramel and moderate carbonation. The hop... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
This is a full, satisfying Flanders Red. The dark cherry fruitiness and tartness dominates both the aroma and flavor. This fruitiness is well supported by a complex blend of dark chocolate, raisin, vanilla, orange, and caramel. The brilliantly clear amber body has a firm head of beige bubbles... Read More