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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

8-Bit Pale Ale

8-Bit Pale Ale Tallgrass Beer
Judges Rating:
93
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

This beer pours a crystal clear, golden color supporting a finely beaded, resilient, white head. The aroma is a menagerie of hop flavors: floral, orange, apricot, resin and tropical fruit. The medium body sports a light toasty and bready malt to support the more prominent citrusy, floral, and... Read More

KEREL Stout

KEREL Stout

KEREL Stout, Verbeeck-Back-De Cock Brewery
Description 

All stouts are dark and mysterious, but the VBDCK brewers deepen its typical roasted flavors even further by lightly hopping the brew or adding coffee or chocolate during the brewing process for a sweet mocha touch.

Taste: Deep, dark and rich with coffee and pure chocolate flavors, rounded off by modern hops.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
4.5%

 

 


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Judges Rating:
92
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

KEREL Stout by Verbeek-Back-De Cock Brewery is a Belgian Stout and is being evaluated as a Foreign Extra Stout (category 16D in the 2021 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Foreign Extra Stouts are moderately strong stouts with the typical black, opaque appearance and dark... Read More

Blueberry Spaceship Box

Blueberry Spaceship Box

Arizona
United States
Blueberry Spaceship Box, Superstition Meadery
Description 

Blueberry Spaceship Box, the top rated hard cider in the world, has been poured on tap from Thailand to Copenhagen and at festivals from California to Florida. Blueberry Spaceship Box is a spectacular blend of sweet and tart, of apple and blueberry, and it is at home when served as a bubbly apéritif or paired with anything from the grill.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
5.5%
Served at: 
40 - 55º F

 

 


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Judges Rating:
93
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

Blueberry Spaceship Box by Superstition Meadery is a Blueberry Cider and is being evaluated as a Cider with Other Fruit (category C2B from the 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines). For this style, the cider and fruit should have harmony without either being too dominant. For this cider, Superstition... Read More

Brutal IPA

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

Billed as “the official brew of the Rogue Nation,” this American IPA is a showcase for Rogue Farms Alluvial hops. The hops are certainly prominent in the aroma with a plethora of tropical fruit notes wafting from the glass, including pineapple, grapefruit and passion fruit. In the flavor, the... Read More

Dragon's Milk Crimson Keep

Dragon's Milk Crimson Keep

Michigan
United States
Dragon's Milk Crimson Keep, New Holland Brewing Co.
Description 

Crimson Keep is aged in bourbon barrels for one month deep within the Dragon’s Milk Cellar. The deep red color is evidence of being battle tested. A smooth, malt-forward flavor profile is highlighted by notes of toffee, stone fruits, and oak that lead to a pleasantly dry finish.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
11.0%
IBUs: 
30
Served at: 
45 - 50ºF

 

 


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

Dragon's Milk Crimson Keep by New Holland Brewing Co. is a Bourbon Barrel-Aged Strong Red Ale and is being evaluated as a Specialty Wood-Aged Beer (category 33B from the 2021 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Specialty Wood-Aged Beers are aged in spirit barrels and should... Read More

Black is Beautiful (Pontoon)

Black is Beautiful (Pontoon)

Black Is Beautiful, Pontoon Brewing
Description 

This beautiful, deep black-hued Imperial Stout came about as a call to action for breweries, big or small, to help spread the message that black is beautiful and that more needs to be done to stop systemic racism in this country. With notes of decadent dark chocolate, smooth caramel, subtle smoke, and medium roasted coffee swirl around on top of a thick malt base. We decided to add graham cracker, coffee from Black and Bold, chocolate, and pecans to make a chocolate lasagna version of Black is Beautiful!

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
10.0%
IBUs: 
20
Served at: 
60º F

 

 


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

Black is Beautiful Imperial Stout by Pontoon Brewing is a flavored Imperial Stout and is being evaluated as a Spice, Herb or Vegetable Beer (category 30A in the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Spice, Herb or Vegetable Beers should have a harmonious balance between the spices, herbs or... Read More

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