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Michael Heniff

Michael Heniff's picture
Beer Judge

Mike brewed his first few homebrew batches in college in 1994 and began regularly brewing in 1997.  Since then, he has brewed over 150 batches of beer, mead, and cider.  He has won over 200 medals and numerous major awards in competitions across the country.  His highest accomplishments include winning the Templeton Award (most points) of the Dixie Cup (one of the largest single-site homebrew competitions in the world) a record four times, Gulf Coast Homebrewer of the Year, and Lone Star Circuit Homebrewer of the Year.  He has had his recipes brewed at commercial breweries seven times.

Mike particularly enjoys traveling to find new beers.  He has made numerous travels abroad to find great beer, most frequently to Belgium and Germany.  He has logged over 6800 beers in his tasting journal, including over 620 beers from Belgium alone.  Mike has had brewing and beer travel articles published by Brew Your Own and Zymurgy magazines.

Mike is a current member of the Houston Foam Rangers Homebrew Club where he has held numerous officer positions.  He was also the founding President of the Lone Star Circuit and a former long time officer. He currently ranks as a Grand Master III BJCP judge.  He has judged in over 70 competitions across the United States, frequently serving on Best of Show panels.

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My reviews

7 Deadly Stouts

7 Deadly Stouts

7 Deadly Stouts, Monday Night Brewing
Description 

7 Deadly Stouts is a truly indulgent stout with 666 lbs. of Ugandan vanilla beans, toasted coconut bark, toasted hazelnuts, coffee, Ghirardelli milk chocolate wafers, and Saigon cinnamon bark. This is a stout seven ways, each representing a different sin, aged in a blend of Scotch, rum, tequila, bourbon, maple bourbon, Cognac, and Apple Brandy barrels. Honestly, we're not sure you can handle it. You should probably put it back on the shelf and slowly walk away.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
13.7%
Served at: 
45 - 55ºF

 

 


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Judges Rating:
95
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

7 Deadly Stouts by Monday Night Brewing is a flavored, barrel-aged Imperial Stout and is being evaluated as a Specialty Wood-Aged Beer (category 33B from the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Specialty Wood-Aged Beers are aged in spirit barrels and should have a... Read More

Judges Rating:
90
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Ale Gâteau Forêt-Noire by Unibroue is a Belgian Dark Strong Ale with fruit and spices and is being judged as a Fruit and Spice Beer (category 29B in the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Belgian Dark Strong Ales are deceptively strong dark beers that have a harmony of rich malt, fruity esters ... Read More

16-Bit Double Pale Ale

16-Bit Double Pale Ale Tallgrass Beer
Judges Rating:
87
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

The initial aroma fails to scream “IPA” with moderate-light aromas of floral, herbal, and apricot hops. The lower-than-expected hop intensity and character follow through to the flavor along with a light body and light malt character with an aggressive bitterness. The light body certainly makes... Read More

Sea Chest

Sea Chest

New Jersey
United States
Sea Chest, Cape May Brewing Co.
Description 

A New England-Style IPA brewed with Golden Promise, honey malt, flaked rye, flaked oats, and flaked wheat, Sea Chest is copiously dry-hopped with Cashmere, Motueka, and Sultana. Notes of pineapple, lime, coconut, and orange sherbet are wrapped in a blanket of juicy hops.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
7.4%
IBUs: 
6
Served at: 
45º F
Malts: 
Pilsner, Golden Promise, Flaked Wheat, Flaked Oats, Flaked Rye
Hops: 
Cashmere, Sultana, Motueka

 

 


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Judges Rating:
90
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Sea Chest by Cape May Brewing Co. is a New England IPA and is being evaluated as a Specialty IPA (category 21B in the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). New England IPAs are known for their juicy/tropical fruit/citrusy hop-forward character, hazy appearance and lighter-... Read More

Higher Burnin IPA

Higher Burnin IPA, LIC Beer Project
Judges Rating:
86
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Higher Burnin IPA by LIC Beer Project is a New England IPA and is being evaluated as a Specialty IPA (category 21B in the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). New England IPAs are known for their juicy/tropical fruit/citrusy hop forward character, hazy appearance, and lighter than typical American... Read More

Colonel Kernel

Colonel Kernel The Bruery Beer
Judges Rating:
94
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
20 / 20

This bourbon barrel-aged Barleywine comes in at an astounding 14.8% ABV. The name is a homonym, referring to one of the ingredients: Corn (don’t worry, you can’t taste the corn in this one!). Upon pouring, the beer is brown and muddy with a wisp of head that quickly fades. The aroma is very... Read More

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