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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

Five Week Sail

Five Week Sail

Georgia
United States
Five Week Sail, Arches Brewing
Description 

This unique style combines the bold flavor of an English Porter and richness of a Russian Imperial Stout. It is the only porter that is a lager, as cold fermentation was necessary to preserve it during the long voyage across the Baltic Sea. This strong style boasts a roasty, caramel profile accompanied by mild chocolate undertones.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
8.0%
IBUs: 
35
Served at: 
38 - 40ºF
Malts: 
Locally-sourced Munich Malt, Vienna malt, Specialty Malts
Hops: 
Magnum, Saaz

 

 


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Judges Rating:
87
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
19 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Five Week Sail by Arches Brewing is a Baltic Porter and is being judged as a Baltic Porter (category 9C from the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Baltic Porter is a style that originated in countries along the North Sea with historical ties back to the porters and stouts that were being made in... Read More

Decadent Imperial IPA

Ska beer Decadent Imperial IPA
Judges Rating:
95
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
20 / 20

This has everything that you want to see in a double IPA: plenty of hops abound with enough malt character to lend support. This beer starts appropriately hop-forward with aromas of resins, grapefruit and citrus fruits. In the flavor, the hops continue to be upfront: tons of citrus, with... Read More

Eternal Siesta

Eternal Siesta

Louisiana
United States
Eternal Siesta, Gnarly Barley Brewing
Description 

With this Imperial Stout, we invite you to retire into a state of static relaxation, coaxed by the veil of seductive spice-laden dark chocolate, interlacing with a nuanced and complex grain bill for a sense-gouging exploration of the dark side. A sultry and powerful body of dark malts, oats, and lactose are embedded with cacao nibs, vanilla, cinnamon, and chili peppers for a depth of expression that you simply were not expecting.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
9.0%
Malts: 
Maris Otter, Chocolate, Caraaroma, Carabohemian, Carafa III, Roasted Barley, Wheat, Oats
Hops: 
Cascade

 

 


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Judges Rating:
92
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Eternal Siesta by Gnarly Barley Brewing Co. is a spiced, bourbon barrel-aged Imperial Stout and is being evaluated as a Mixed-Style Beer (category 34B in the 2021 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Imperial Stouts are noted for strong, rich chocolate and roasted malt flavors... Read More

Lil' Juicy

Lil' Juicy, Two Roads Brewing Co.
Judges Rating:
88
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Lil’ Juicy by Two Roads 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-than-typical American... Read More

Kick Back Session IPA

Drake's Brewing Kick Back Session IPA beer
Judges Rating:
92
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

This Session IPA pours a crystal clear light golden color, sporting a small ring of off-white head. With plenty of our favorite hops (including Warrior, El Dorado, Simcoe, Cascade, Chinook and Mosaic!), the hop aroma is readily abundant with tropical fruit, tangerine, mango, resin and lightly... Read More

Attention Ritual

Attention Ritual

New Jersey
United States
Attention Ritual, Ghost Hawk Brewing
Description 

It was brewed with pilsner malt, a lot of wheat, some oats, seasoned with primarily New Zealand Motueka and Rakau hops, then fermented with Norwegian Hornindal Kwiek yeast. You'll find bright flavors of orange and lime along with hints of tropical fruit, citrus rind and grass.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
6.8%
IBUs: 
48
Malts: 
Pilsner
Hops: 
New Zealand Motueka, Rakau

 

 


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Judges Rating:
93
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Attention Ritual by Ghost Hawk Brewing Co. is a Hazy IPA and is being evaluated as a Hazy IPA (category 21C in the 2021 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Hazy IPAs are known for their juicy/tropical fruity/citrusy hop-forward character, hazy appearance and lighter-than-... Read More

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