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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

Rudie Session IPA

Ska Beer Rudie Session IPA
Judges Rating:
87
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
6 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

Two common issues with session IPAs are a lack of hop intensity or expressing a thin, watery body. I'm happy to report those two problems are not evident here! The aroma is prominently hoppy with qualities of tangerine, lychee and flowers. In the flavor, the malt provides just a hint of flavor... Read More

Bière de Mars

Bière de Mars

Colorado
United States
Bière de Mars , Bruz Beers
Description 

A collaboration between Bruz Beers and Omer Vander Ghinste in Belgium. Tart Brett nose with summer fruits. Complex flavors of Brett/Lacto with notes of apricot, lemon and pineapple

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
5.6%
IBUs: 
15
Served at: 
48º F
Malts: 
English Pale, Wheat Malt, Raw Wheat
Hops: 
Hallertau Blanc, CTZ, aged Crystal

 

 


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Judges Rating:
90
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Bière de Mars by Bruz Beers is a blend of a Flanders Red Ale and a Saison and is being evaluated as a Mixed-Style Beer (category 34B from the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Flanders Red Ales (category 23B) are sour Belgian ales that are noted for their intense red... Read More

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

Synopsis Dark Sour Cherry by Area Two Experimental Brewing is a Sour Fruit Beer 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 aged in wood. Dark Sour... Read More

La Brea Brown

Fossil Cove Beer La Brea Brown Ale
Judges Rating:
84
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
18 / 24
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

Self-described as a "Belgian Style Brown Ale," this beer unfortunately lacks many of the primary characteristics of Belgian ales -- especially fruity esters and peppery phenolics. The canned ale pours dark brown with a big tan head and excellent head retention. The aroma is moderately nutty with... Read More

Redux Kenspeckle Scotch-Style Ale

Redux Kenspeckle Scotch-Style Ale

California
United States
Redux Kenspeckle Scotch-Style Ale, Garage Brewing Co.
Description 

Buffalo Trace Barrel Aged Scotch Ale with notes of Sweet Toffee, Molasses, and Toasted Oak.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
10.9%

 

 


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Judges Rating:
93
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

Redux Kenspeckle Scotch-Style Ale by Garage Brewing Co. is a bourbon barrel-aged Scottish 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

Judges Rating:
85
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

Vacanza Coconut Cream Pie by Wild Leap Brew Co. is a fruited Gose and is being evaluated as a Fruit Beer (category 29 in the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). The fruit in Fruit Beers should complement the base style without overwhelming it. Gose beers are highly carbonated, slightly tart wheat... Read More

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