Insurrection by Fulton is being evaluated as a Double IPA (Category 22A) from the 2015 BJCP guidelines. Having just judged this category in the Chicago region of the 2017 AHA 1st round Nationals the previous weekend, I felt that my palate would be prepared for the hoppy onslaught of this beer. ... 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:
22 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
14 Degree ESB by Bent Paddle Brewing Co. is a well-crafted rendition of the Extra Special Bitter (ESB) style with a bit of an American twist. The balanced use of American-style hops in the hop bill to support the typical ESB style malt complexity works very well in this offering. This is being... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
Juice Above the Clouds by Altamont Beer Works is an in-your-face Mosaic rendition of the BJCP 22A Double IPA style. That said, the complete package comes through as a very enjoyable and quaffable version of a style that typically does not exhibit this level of drinkability.
A very strong... Read More
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Southbound Brewing Company's Scattered Sun delivers many of the basics that you’d expect in a Wit, but with a few issues. This expectedly cloudy golden-colored brew has an appealing tart aroma and cereal notes along with evident coriander and citrus spice in the nose, which really raises your... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Cinnabun Pastry Stout by Garage Brewing Co. is a good example of the dessert style. Though there are a few quibbles, it is a quite deep and complex treat as would be expected for the style. This brew is being evaluated as a 30A Spice, Herb and Vegetable Beer with... Read More
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Upland’s Easy Chair Amber Ale is an example of a subtle, well-balanced brew. However, by having that subtleness and balance, it lacks aroma or flavor characteristics that jump out to allow this brew to stand out amongst its peers. Aroma-wise, this clear, amber-brown brew with a rather fleeting... Read More