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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

Hallerbos Belgian Strong Ale Aged with Amburana Chips

Hallerbos Belgian Strong Ale Aged with Amburana Chips

New Jersey
United States
Hallerbos Belgian Strong Ale Aged with Amburana Chips, Ghost Hawk Brewing
Description 

Named after an enchanting forest in Belgium, you'll be mesmerized by the various aromas and flavors of roses, plums and spice. A blend of malts, candy sugar, Lotus hops and a special Belgian yeast with a light touch of coriander create this diverse array of characteristics. Then the beer was aged on Brazilian Amburana chips for baking spice notes, such as maple syrup, butterscotch, cinnamon, vanilla and graham cracker.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
9.0%
IBUs: 
27
Malts: 
Pilsner
Hops: 
Lotus

 

 


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

Hallerbos Belgian Strong Ale Aged with Amburana Chips by Ghost Hawk Brewing Co. is a Wood-Aged Belgian Dark Strong Ale and is being evaluated as a Wood-Aged Beer (category 33A in the 2021 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Wood-aged beers should have a harmonious balance... Read More

Pêche

Pêche, Alesong Brewing and Blending
Judges Rating:
93
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Pêche by Alesong Brewing and Blending is a wild-fermented farmhouse-style ale brewed with peaches and is being evaluated as a Fruit Lambic (category 23F in the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Fruit Lambics are wild yeast- and bacteria-fermented fruit beers historically brewed in the Senne ... Read More

Buffalo Sweat

Buffalo Sweat Tallgrass Beer
Judges Rating:
88
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

This opaque, jet black beer begins with prominent roasted, chocolate, and burnt dark malt characters with a supporting toasted malt. The flavor continues with the dark malt focus with flavors of roasted, charred, and toasted malt with a subtle sweetness from lactose milk sugar and a silky smooth... Read More

Hopcelot

Hopcelot

Hopcelot, Lawson's Finest Liquids
Description 

Inspired by a dreamy combination of music, hops and beer. Celebrate with us as we revel in the glory of 8 varieties of hops from around the world, brewed to create intricate flavor and delight your senses!

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
7.0%

 

 


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Judges Rating:
97
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
39 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
20 / 20

Hopcelot by Lawson’s Finest Liquids is an American IPA and is being evaluated as an American IPA (category 21A from the 2021 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). American IPAs are hop-forward beers typically expressing American or new world hop characters that are most... Read More

Swipe Light

Swipe Light

New York
United States
Swipe Light, Southern Tier Brewing Co.
Description 

Swipe Light bridges the gap between craft beer flavor and lower calorie, easier drinking beers. This refreshing ale is perfect for occasions where craft drinkers are looking for lighter options but still want more flavor than other light beers offer. Swipe Light provides both the flavor and drinkability that craft consumers are looking for. At 4% ABV and only 110 calories, it’s lighter than other craft options. But because it’s brewed with a focus on flavor, Swipe Light delivers more complexity for a truly ‘craft’ drinking experience.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
4.0%

 

 


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Judges Rating:
94
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
20 / 20

Swipe Light by Southern Tier Brewing Co. is an American Light Ale and is being evaluated as an American Light Lager (category 1A from the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). American Light Lagers (such as Bud Light, Coors Light, or Miller Lite) are known for their very light malt flavor, no hop... Read More

Pre-Pro Lager

Pre-Pro Lager

California
United States
East Brother Beer Pre-Pro Lager, East Brother Beer Co.
Description 

A Prohibition-era lager recipe with a crisp Cluster hop presence, a bit of corn and barley flavor, and a clean finish.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
5.2%
Served at: 
38° F
Malts: 
Admiral Maltings Six-Row Barley Malt
Hops: 
Cluster

 

 


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

Pre-Pro Lager by East Brother Beer Co. is a pre-Prohibition Lager and is being evaluated as a Historical Beer: Pre-Prohibition Lager (category 27 in the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Pre-Prohibition Lagers are golden-colored lagers that were frequently brewed with... Read More

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