North Peak Brewing Company’s Rascal Cherry Porter was judged as a BJCP category 29A Fruit Beer. This beer starts with an inviting chocolate, roasted coffee-like aroma that has hints of cherry and a slight funkiness that is accented by an earthy hop aroma. The alcohol in this 6.5% abv porter... Read More
Lyn Howard
Beer, Cider and Mead Judge
In 1992 while vacationing in Maine, Lyn found a pamphlet about making beer and, not believing that it could be as easy as combining four ingredients, she promptly started homebrewing. Participation in the Hudson Valley Homebrewers and their competitions introduced her to cider and mead and also led to her becoming a National ranked BJCP judge by 2000.
A member of Brew Free or Die, Lyn works constantly to improve her brewing and judging skills and she has mentored several new judges through to certification. She enjoys the combination of science and creativity that brewing offers and has won awards for her beers, meads and ciders. Lyn recently earned her Mead Judge designation.
My reviews
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Starr Hill Brewery’s Warm Up Winter Ale was evaluated as a 2015 BJCP Category 30C, Winter Seasonal Beer. Typically these beers are of stronger, darker or spicy rich beverages that provide a warming sensation on a cold winter day or night. This beer does not disappoint.
The aroma of this... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
St-Feuillien Blonde Ale was evaluated as a BJCP category 25A, Belgian Blond Ale. The aroma is full of grainy, sweet pils malt notes that blend with the mild clove accented spicy hops, and include a touch of green apple fruitiness. The secondary aromas include lemony, perfume-like floral notes... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
18 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
15 / 20
North Peak Brewing Company’s Murky Oat IPA was judged as a BJCP category 21B, Specialty IPA, and this sample presents much like the name might suggest. The aroma starts with a husky, grainy quality that is followed by an earthy, musty funkiness that is not what one would expect. There are also... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
North Peak Brewing Company’s Diabolical India Pale Ale was judged as a BJCP category 21A American IPA. The aroma is unique combinations of citrus, mango, melon fruitiness blended with a healthy dose of pine, and then the alcohol hits. There are light sugary malt accents in the rear but the nose... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Star Hill Brewery’s Double Bass Double Chocolate Stout was evaluated as a 2015 BJCP Category 30A, a Spice Beer.
This beer has a strong roast, coffee-like, bittersweet chocolate aroma with hints of raisins, dried dates, burnt toffee and vanilla in the background and no discernable hop... Read More