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
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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 reviews
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
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
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
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
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
33 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20
The aroma of this brew is quite fruity with a considerable amount of cherry and berry character, along with a light barnyard funk and aromatic sourness. The base dubbel makes itself known with an evident brown malt and light raisin aroma. Visually, this somewhat lightly carbonated, quite clear,... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
24 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
Unibroue has been tempting lovers of Belgian-style beer for 25 years. To celebrate that anniversary, Unibroue has brewed Blonde de l’Efner, a Belgian Golden Strong Ale (BJCP Category 25C). This offering is a fine rendition of the style, and, while unmistakably a Unibroue product, rivals in... Read More