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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.
Geräuchert Smoked Helles Lager by Moniker Brewery is a traditional example of the BJCP 32A Classic Style Smoke Beer, as per the 2021 BJCP guidelines, with the base style being a Helles. As such, there is no mistaking that this brew fits the style very well!
The... Read More
Osiris Pale Ale by Sun King is a very well-crafted APA (2015 BJCP Category 18b). In a time where hop bomb IPA’s rule the roost, it’s nice to have a flavorful and well balanced option that still satisfies the lust for hops yet delivers a certain level of harmony and drinkability.
You are... Read More
Looping Owl by Right Brain Brewery is labeled as being an Amber ale aged in Bourbon Barrel. Unfortunately, it comes through more as whiskey-diluted with a somewhat mild amber colored beer. This is being evaluated as a Category 33B Specialty Wood Aged beer as per the 2015 BJCP Beer Style... Read More
Table Of Contents by Monday Night Brewing is an interesting concept, being a small Brett beer that is actually fermented in red wine barrels, not just aged. However, the promise of the concept does not seem fully realized. This is being evaluated as a Category 28C Wild Specialty Beer as per the... Read More
Harpoon’s Leviathan IPA is a monster! This aroma of this massive brew is loaded with melon and citrus character with a light resinous background combined with substantial base malt notes. The appearance is outstanding, with very light carbonation delivering a fine, lingering, creamy, lacy head... Read More
Terry’s Big Adventure by Bhramari Brewing Company is an experiment in the BJCP 32B Classic Style Smoke Beer, with the base being a Helles, but with the grain having been smoked using fig wood instead of the traditional beechwood. It seems that this choice of wood has delivered a somewhat... Read More
