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Jim is a Grand Master beer judge and former Associate Exam Director for the Beer Judge Certification Program. He began enjoying good beer in the mid aughts and started homebrewing shortly thereafter. Regardless of style, Jim is always on the lookout for breweries that are good at what they do.
Winter's Night by Arches Brewing is being reviewed as a Munich Dunkel, judged as BJCP Category 8A.
This beer has low, sweet and malty aromas. On the one hand, it is not particularly aromatic, but on the other, it is appropriately clean. It pours deep brown in color with ruby highlights.... Read More
Barrel-Aged Brownie Batter Blend #2 Base by Pontoon Brewing was judged as BJCP Category 33B, Specialty Wood-Aged Beer.
This beer's aromas are rich and legion. They are a mixture of dark and dried fruits, oak and ethanol, punctuated with vanilla and becoming sweeter as the beer warms. It... Read More
Fruit Lambic is a variable style, with some examples being predominately fruity and others retaining traditional Lambic character complemented by a fruit addition. This example falls squarely into the former category. It is dominated by a fresh cherry character in both aroma and flavor,... Read More
Otium by Miel Brewery & Taproom was judged as BJCP Category 21C, Hazy IPA.
Listen up: A hazy IPA is not just a “hazy” IPA. There is more to these trendy brews than opacity, primarily juicy hop character and lower hop bitterness. About fifteen years ago we reached the peak of the... Read More
This American IPA starts off with a distinctly fruity ester aroma – primarily raspberry – and low citrus rind from hops. Underneath is a toasted malt character and stone fruit aromas. It pours a very clear, orange-copper color and carries a full white head with good retention. This beer tastes... Read More
Grape Expectations by Irrigation Ales was judged as a Specialty Wood-Aged Beer via the 2021 BJCP Style Guidelines (Category 33B). The base style is Baltic Porter (Style 9C) and it contains Frontenac red grapes.
Initially, the aroma closely resembles the base Bmperial porter style. It is... Read More
