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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

Judges Rating:
86
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
19 / 24
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Petrus Cherry Chocolate Nitro Quad by Brouwerij De Brabandere is a fruited and spiced quadrupel and is being evaluated as a Fruit and Spice Beer (category 29B in the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). The fruit and spice in Fruit and Spice Beers should complement the base style without... Read More

Judges Rating:
87
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

pFriem Scotch Barrel Aged Imperial Brown is a being evaluated as a Specialty Wood-Aged Beer (category 33B in the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines).  For this category, the best examples have a "harmonious blend" between the base beer and the wood/spirits resulting in a flavorful, complex blend. ... Read More

Night Warden

Night Warden

Colorado
United States
Night Warden, Avery Brewing Co.
Description 

Strong notes of vanilla and caramel from fresh whiskey barrels complement a roasted malt bill that makes Night Warden a smooth and full-bodied stout. At 8.2% ABV and in a 12 ounce six-pack, Night Warden brings the richness of barrel-aged beer often reserved for special occasions to your everyday routine. The Avery Brew Crew's 15 years of experience in barrel-aging and love of great whiskey come together in Night Warden, our flagship stout aged for three months in fresh whiskey barrels. Aged to enjoy every day, Night Warden is the keeper of Avery's infamous cellar, and your guide to the bigger aromas and flavors of barrel-aged beer.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
8.2%
IBUs: 
30
Malts: 
Two Row, Chocolate, Roasted Barley, Midnight Wheat, CaraAroma, Oats

 

 


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Judges Rating:
88
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Night Warden by Avery Brewing Co. is a whiskey barrel-aged 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 harmonious blend... Read More

Gnarly Barley India Pale Lager

Gnarly Barley India Pale Lager

Louisiana
United States
Gnarly Barley India Pale Lager, Gnarly Barley Brewing Co.
Description 

India Pale Lager (5.9%) is a refreshing dry-hopped lager with Wakatu and Motueka hops that showcase flavors of sweet melon and honeydew plus a hint of grassy notes on the back end. It has a crisp finish and a slightly hazy appearance. Think LAGER but with a fruitier flavor and higher ABV!

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
5.9%
Malts: 
Pilsner, Cara-pils
Hops: 
Wakatu, Motueka

 

 


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Judges Rating:
91
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Gnarly Barley India Pale Lager by Gnarly Barley Brewing Co. is an India Pale Lager and is being evaluated as an Experimental Beer (category 34C in the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). The Experimental Beer category is a catch-all category for beers that do not fit the other styles in the BJCP... Read More

Dry English Cider

Dry English Cider

United Kingdom
Dry
Description 

Aspall Dry 

Mid straw-gold colour
Clean, light floral aroma of dessert apples
Dry, round and creamy on the palate with medium fullness Good acid balance, pleasant soft tannins and elegant, long finish

A highly versatile partner for all kinds of food, for example charcuterie, sweet & spicy, and a variety of cheeses 

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
6.8%

 

 


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Judges Rating:
88
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Dry English Cider by Aspall Cider House is an English cider and is being judged as an English Cider (category C1B from the 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines).  English ciders are typically dry with moderate tannins and an occasional smokiness from a malo-lactic fermentation.

This cider pours a... Read More

La Baie Sauvage

La Baie Sauvage

Oregon
United States
La Baie Sauvage, pFriem Family Brewers
Description 

This tart and untamable fruit is not cultivated anywhere in the world. Our berries, foraged in NW forests, are added to our 2-year-old, Lambic-Inspired Ale to create a fruit-forward brew with notes of lemon zest and pineapple. La Baie Sauvage invites you, adventurous drinker, to take a walk on the wild side. Who’s your huckleberry now?

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
7.3%
IBUs: 
10
Served at: 
45º - 50º F
Malts: 
Gambrinus Canadian Pilsner, Weyermann Wheat, Rahr Raw White Wheat
Hops: 
Aged Czech Saaz

 

 


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Judges Rating:
93
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

La Baie Sauvage by pFriem Family Brewers is a sour ale brewed with huckleberries and is being evaluated as a Wild Specialty Beer (category 28C in the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Wild Specialty Beers are sour or funky beers with fruit or spices and are typically... Read More

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