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Jim Koebel

Jim Koebel's picture
Grand Master Beer Judge

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.

 

   

My reviews

Night Game

Night Game, Sketchbook Brewing Co.
Judges Rating:
93
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Night Game is a Double IPA brewed with honey, judged as BJCP Category 22A. This beer’s aroma consists of moderately-high levels of citrus, grapefruit and resinous hops. It is a bright, slightly sweet smelling and very pleasant aroma. It pours a clear, orange color with solid white head and good... Read More

Darker Subject Matter

Darker Subject Matter, Monday Night Brewing
Judges Rating:
92
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Darker Subject Matter by Monday Night Brewing is an Imperial Stout aged in bourbon barrels judged as BJCP Category 33B, Specialty Wood-Aged Beer.

This beer has a pleasant blend of fruit, vanilla and ethanol aromas. It pours black in color with no head (virtually no CO2 escaped when... Read More

Laughing Skull

Laughing Skull
Judges Rating:
80
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
31 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
15 / 20

A West Coast emblem, the American Amber style is known for generous measures of crystal malt and citrus hop character. This beer's clean caramel and toffee aromas certainly fit the bill. With some rousing as the beer warms, an earthy, herbal hop aroma begins to overtake it. Its reddish copper... Read More

Sirène

Sirène

Sirène, Arches Brewing
Description 

Sirène is a French-style Pilsner is brewed with malts and modern hop varietals from the Alsace region of Northeastern France. This light Pilsner is illuminated by both bitter and floral aromatics with a fizzy mouthfeel.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
5.1%
IBUs: 
38
Served at: 
38 - 45ºF
Malts: 
Franco-Belges Pilsner, Riverbend Chit
Hops: 
Elixir, Mistral

 

 


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Judges Rating:
97
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
24 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

Sirène by Arches Brewing is an International Pale Lager brewed by Arches Brewing, judged as BJCP Category 2A.

This beer's aroma has considerable hop character, primarily herbal and floral. Pilsner malt aroma is secondary and adds bready and light honey qualities. It is clear, golden in... Read More

Pecan Harvest Ale

Abita Pecan Harvest Ale Beer
Judges Rating:
80
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
24 / 24
Flavor:
30 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
14 / 20

This ale smells malty and rich right from the beginning. It has a moderate melanoidin and breadcrust character, with an aroma that resembles both freshly milled base malt and a bag of almonds. The aroma remains fresh and rich even after the beer warms. Its clear, reddish-amber body carries a... Read More

Barrel Aged Bad Abbot

Barrel Aged Bad Abbot

Louisiana
United States
Barrel Aged Bad Abbot, Gnarly Barley Brewing
Beverage Profile
ABV: 
14.0%
Malts: 
Pilsner, Aromatic, Munich, Special B, Belgian Dark Candi Sugar, Molasses
Hops: 
Tettnanger

 

 


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Judges Rating:
86
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Barrel Aged Bad Abbot by Gnarly Barley Brewing Co. is a barrel-aged Belgian quadrupel, judged as BJCP Category 33B Specialty Wood-Aged Beer. Quads, or in BJCP parlance Belgian Dark Strong Ales, are often the biggest of the strong Belgian ales. They have much in common with Dubbels (color,... Read More

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