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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

Snowmelt Hard Sipper House Punch

Snowmelt Hard Sipper House Punch

Colorado
United States
Snowmelt Hard Sipper House Punch, Upslope Brewing Co.
Description 

Cocktail Hour is about to get a lot cooler. Who said we have to keep drinking the same drinks everyone else is drinking? And who said a great cocktail has to be so complicated? Let’s keep it casual. That’s why we set out to create a craft cocktail our way, with our Spiked Snowmelt base and fresh ingredients. Kick back with a drink made without the pretense, without the puffery, and without the pain in the ass mixologist. A drink you’d enjoy with friends, with your feet up and the laughter rolling.
Hard Sipper is a 12% ABV cocktail-inspired libation. These high-octane creations are intended to be sipped slowly and are best enjoyed over ice. House Punch is made with our Spiked Snowmelt, sugar, lemon juice, hibiscus, black tea, and nutmeg.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
12.0%
IBUs: 
0
Served at: 
34 - 38º F

 

 


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Judges Rating:
87
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Snowmelt Hard Sipper House Punch by Upslope Brewing Co. and is being evaluated as a Fruit and Spice Seltzer based on The Beer Connoisseur's 2022 Hard Seltzer Style Definitions & Judging Guidelines. Fruit and Spice Seltzers are noted for the harmonious balance of... Read More

Whiffle

Whiffle

Ohio
United States
Whiffle, Rhinegeist Brewery
Description 

Balanced, dry, and effortlessly complex, Whiffle is a refreshing riff on a traditional Belgian Witbier. Airy wheat and bright citrus aromas drift in and give way to a crisp, ardent breeze bearing notes of tangerine and subtle spice—a breath of fresh air.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
5.0%
IBUs: 
6
Malts: 
Origin Malt Pilsner, Unmalted Wheat, Acidulated, Carafoam, Flaked Oats
Hops: 
Mandarina Bavaria

 

 


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Judges Rating:
90
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Whiffle by Rhinegeist Brewery is a Witbier and is being evaluated as such (category 24A from the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Witbiers are Belgian wheat beers that are typically brewed with coriander and orange peel. Witbier is a refreshing style noted for its flavors of citrus and floral... Read More

Judges Rating:
91
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Aldersbacher Kloster Weiss Hell is a hefeweizen by Brauerei Aldersbacher and is being evaluated as a Weissbier (2015 BJCP Style Guidelines category 10A).  Weissbiers are noted for their wheat character along with an abundance of esters (typically banana) and phenolics (most typically cloves). ... Read More

Orange Blossom Belgian Blonde

Orange Blossom Belgian Blonde

Illinois
United States
Orange Blossom Belgian Blonde, Moody Tongue Brewing Co.
Description 

This medium-bodied, Belgian-style Blond Ale showcases notes reminiscent of honeysuckle, orange rock candy and apricot.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
5.4
IBUs: 
25
Served at: 
40 - 45º F
Malts: 
Pilsen, White Wheat, Cara 20
Hops: 
Styrian Golding, Hallertau

 

 


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Judges Rating:
94
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

Orange Blossom Belgian Blonde by Moody Tongue Brewing Co. is a Belgian Blond Ale and is being evaluated as a Belgian Blond Ale (category 25A from the 2021 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Belgian Blond Ales are average strength Belgian ales that have a golden color and... Read More

Fruity Bits

Weldwerks Fruity Bits IPA
Judges Rating:
93
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Fruity Bits by Weldwerks Brewing Co. was judged as a Fruit Beer (base style American IPA), style 29A, according to the 2015 BJCP style guide. This “rotating IPA series is inspired by [their] popular New England-Style IPA” with “hop varietals known for their tropical fruit character” and added... Read More

Tropic King

Tropic King Funkwerks Beer
Judges Rating:
92
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Self-described as an “Imperial Saison," this Belgian-inspired beer showcases the expected saison phenolics, esters, and hops without the encumbrance of a heftier body or burdensome malt character of a higher-gravity beer. The aroma kicks off with prominent black pepper and a background of pear... Read More

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