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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

Aldersbacher Kloster Weisse Hell

Aldersbacher Kloster Weisse Hell

Aldersbacher Kloster Weisse Hell by Aldersbacher Brewery
Description 

Traditional German wheat ale is unfiltered and bottle conditioned to enhance the robust flavors and fine effervescence.  Aromas of clove, allspice and bananas when first poured, initial sweetness and a hint of bubblegum on the palate.  This beer finishes crisp and clean.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
5.5%
IBUs: 
9

 

 


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Judges Rating:
91
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Aldersbacher Kloster Weisse 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

The Mighty Banana

The Mighty Banana

The Mighty Banana, Pontoon Brewing
Description 

The time has come to test thy courage...This big, malt-forward golden strong ale beams bright in color like the sacred triforce artifact and is full of banana and clove esters fromthe Belgian yeast. The timeless style of a golden strong ale is blended with a new age feel with the addition of rum soaked bananas, cinnamon, Madagascar vanilla, and banana puree to give a banana foster flavor! We’ve been waiting for you, Hero of Beer!

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
9.0%
Served at: 
55 - 60º F

 

 


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Judges Rating:
86
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

The Mighty Banana by Pontoon Brewing is a fruited and spiced Belgian Golden Strong Ale and is being evaluated as a Spice, Herb, or Vegetable Beer (category 30A from the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Spice, herb or vegetable beers should have a harmonious balance... Read More

Last Will & Testament

Last Will & Testament

Last Will & Testament, Monday Night Brewing
Description 

Last Will And Testament is a straightforward, adjunct-free English old ale that has been aging away in bourbon barrels for fourteen months. With Maris Otter as a backbone and plenty of dark malts, this boozy 12% ABV ale has notes of caramel, raisin, and tobacco. This unapologetic liquid pulls delightful notes of vanilla and oak from the barrels, combined with the slow-sipping qualities of a fine port.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
12%
IBUs: 
40

 

 


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Judges Rating:
94
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Last Will & Testament (Blend No. 1, 2018) by Monday Night Brewing is a bourbon-barrel aged old ale and is being evaluated as a Specialty Wood-Aged Beer (category 33B from the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines).  The best Specialty Wood-Aged Beers have a "harmonious blend" between the base beer... Read More

16-Bit Double Pale Ale

16-Bit Double Pale Ale Tallgrass Beer
Judges Rating:
87
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

The initial aroma fails to scream “IPA” with moderate-light aromas of floral, herbal, and apricot hops. The lower-than-expected hop intensity and character follow through to the flavor along with a light body and light malt character with an aggressive bitterness. The light body certainly makes... Read More

Night Nurse

Night Nurse

Maine
United States
Night Nurse, Fogtown Brewing Co.
Description 

American stout; brewed with chocolate malt, organic Maine-grown rolled oats & a touch of brown sugar, balanced with nugget and cascade hops. Rich, complex and not too sweet.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
7.1%
Served at: 
45 - 55ºF
Malts: 
Maine-Grown Pale, Rolled Oats, Patagonia Chocolate Malt, Perla Negra, Roasted Barley, Dark Munich
Hops: 
Nugget, Cascade

 

 


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Judges Rating:
92
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Night Nurse by Fogtown Brewing Co. is an American Stout and is being evaluated as an American Stout (category 20B in the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). American Stouts are mid-range gravity with roasted and chocolate malt flavors like the rest of the stout family. ... Read More

Judges Rating:
92
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Bourbon Barrel-Aged Concrete Ship by Cape May Brewery is a barrel-aged Imperial Stout and is being evaluated as a Wood-Aged Beer (category 33A from the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Imperial Stouts are the strongest of the stouts frequently displaying flavors of roasted, chocolate, and ... Read More

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