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Joseph Formanek
Beer Judge
Joe Formanek started homebrewing in 1987 as an undergraduate in Microbiology at the University of Minnesota. He was bitten by the brewing bug after taking a tour of Summit Brewing Company within a year after they had opened in St. Paul in 1987, and he has been going ever since. Joe later went to Graduate School at the University of Illinois and helped found the Boneyard Union of Zymurgical Zealots (BUZZ) Homebrew Club. He currently resides in Bolingbrook, IL, is a Director for a food ingredient company in Itasca, IL, and is a proud member of the Urban Knaves of Grain Homebrew Club. Joe holds a National Judge ranking with the BJCP, and is a previous Midwest Regional Rep and Vice President of the organization.
Over the years, Joe has received many honors related to homebrewing. He has won numerous BOS awards at local and regional competitions, is a 6 time winner of the Midwest Homebrewer of the Year award (1999, 2001-2004, 2007) and won the American Homebrewers Association Meadmaker of the Year award in 2004. Joe is a 2 time winner of the American Homebrewers Association Ninkasi Award (2000, 2006) for winningest brewer in the final round of judging, and was honored as being named one of the two homebrewer winners of the 2011 Sam Adams Longshot American Homebrewing Competition with his Russian Imperial Stout, which was distributed nationally in the 2012 Longshot multipack.
My articles
AB InBev unveiled a commercial during Super Bowl LIII that focused on the differences between its Bud Light and MillerCoors's Miller Lite and Coors...
In the more than 30 years I have been a homebrewer, I’ve seen remarkable progress in both the homebrewing knowledge base as well as available...
My reviews
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
15 / 20
Trooper by Robinson’s Family Brewers in the UK is a somewhat non-descript rendition of the Extra Special Bitter (ESB) style. While there is not much that makes it stand out from its competition, this offering is quite clean and approachable, which is fortunately a critical aspect for a beer of... Read More
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Chariot by Urban Artifact is an assertively cherry fruit-forward offering that demonstrates a well-crafted solid marriage of tart cherry and Gose beer character. This beer is being evaluated as a Category 29A Fruit Beer with a Category 27 Historical Beer – Gose base as per the 2015 BJCP Style... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
Hypnic Jerk by Gnarly Barley Brewing Co. is a well-crafted rendition of the 17D American IPA style from the 2015 BJCP guidelines, delivering a very enjoyable overall package.
Upon popping the bottle, you are greeted with a sweet cotton candy-like aroma with some caramel notes in the... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Upland Teddy Bear Kisses is a solid, full-flavored Imperial Stout that exemplifies the style quite well. The aroma has a strong chocolate malt or cocoa character backed by a slightly burnt black malt bite. Visually, this lightly carbonated brew is an opaque, deep brown/black with a tan head that... Read More
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
24 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Fruit Cup Vol. 2 by Pontoon Brewing is quite the flavor experience! While the base beer is nominally a BJCP 23A Berliner Weisse style, the addition of berries, lime and vanilla really dominate the package delivering a complex alcoholic fruit juice experience. This brew... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20
Upland’s Stoaked is promoted as an Oak-aged Belgian Quadrupel. While the Quad character is quite evident, the wood notes that would be expected from beers of this style are quite subtle. The aroma of this moderately carbonated, clear, deep amber-colored brew with a fleeting white head is quite... Read More