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Joseph Formanek

Joseph Formanek's picture
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

The Truth About Brewing Beer with Corn Syrup
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...
PicoBrew Pico Model C
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

Twisted Monkey

Twisted Monkey, Victory Brewing Co.
Judges Rating:
82
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
32 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

Twisted Monkey by Victory Brewing Co. is a variant of their Golden Monkey Belgian-style Blond ale which is then fruited with mango. As such, the idea of mango in a Belgian base beer sounds quite attractive. While the mango does marry well with the overall Belgian character of this base beer,... Read More

Rustic Sunday

Rustic Sunday

South Carolina
United States
Rustic Sunday, Birds Fly South Ale Project
Description 

The product of three years into our Solera program. Mixed fermentation. Sauvignon Blanc puncheons brewed with Hallertau Blanc Hops and a hearty amount of Rye for complexity. Dry with solid white wine notes. Tartness grows as it ages.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
7.0%
IBUs: 
32
Malts: 
Pils, Rye, Wheat
Hops: 
Hallertauer Blanc

 

 


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Judges Rating:
95
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
39 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

Rustic Sunday by Birds Fly South Ale Project is another iteration of the brewery’s lineup of Farmhouse Ales, but this time augmented with rye. This fits within the 2015 BJCP Cat. 34B Mixed-Style beer, being a Cat 25B Saison base with rye added. It is a very well-done product.

There is a... Read More

Upland Harvest Ale

Upland Harvest Ale Beer
Judges Rating:
86
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Upland Harvest Ale is a very dank brew. The aroma has strong dank notes dominated by a Simcoe-like hop character. A few fruity esters are noted, as is a light grassiness presumably from the wet-hopping used in this brew. Visually, this moderately carbonated, very clear, golden-colored brew has a... Read More

Hellaweizen

Hellaweizen

Louisiana
United States
Hellaweizen, Miel Brewery & Taproom
Description 

A classic-inspired Bohemian-style Hefeweizen brewed with white wheat and Mandarina Bavaria hops, then fermented on authentic Hefe yeast. Banana and clove balance in the aroma and flavor while the body keeps the party light and effervescent.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
5.0%
IBUs: 
15
Served at: 
38° F
Malts: 
Two Row, Wheat
Hops: 
Mandarina Bavaria

 

 


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Judges Rating:
96
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
24 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

Hellaweizen by Miel Brewery & Taproom is a near-flawless offering in the BJCP 10A German Hefeweizen/Weissbier style. It delivers a lot of what you are looking for in a traditional German hefeweizen without having to be shipped across the ocean with the unavoidable... Read More

Jeez Louise

Lazy magnolia beer jeez louise
Judges Rating:
89
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Lazy Magnolia’s Jeez Louise is a multi-dimensional spice beer that fits the style quite well. This golden-colored, slightly hazy brew with a solid, fine bubble stand has a spicy peppery aroma with evident citrus notes. The flavor of this brew is a fascinating fusion of citrus and jalapeño... Read More

Chocolate Factory

Chocolate Factory

Chocolate Factory, Clocktown Brewing Co.
Description 

In collaboration with The Railroad Museum of New England and Fascia’s Chocolates, we bring you this smooth and velvety, chocolate delight. Contains Lactose.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
7.0%
IBUs: 
30
Served at: 
40º F
Malts: 
Pale Ale Malt, Maris Otter, Munich Malt, Chocolate Wheat, Black Malt, Oats, Lactose.
Hops: 
Warrior

 

 


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Judges Rating:
96
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
24 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

Chocolate Factory by Clocktown Brewing Co.is an impressive example of how judicious use of chocolate in a solid base stout recipe can deliver a great marriage of flavors in a complete beer package. This brew is being evaluated as a Category 30A Spice, Herb and... Read More

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