Start 14-Day Trial Subscription

*No credit card required

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.

mh_cert_a0216_grand_master_iii.jpg

 

My reviews

Good Chit Pilsner

rogue beer good chit pilsner
Judges Rating:
92
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Named with a play on words on a malting term (“chit” refers to the tiny rootlets that grow from the grain during the germination phase of malting), this generically labeled “pilsner” is brewed with floor-malted barley and Liberty hops from Rogue Farms. While Czech yeast is used, both the malt... Read More

Yurei

Yurei

Yurei, Arches Brewing
Description 

This Japanese-style Pilsner was developed with a focus on quality ingredients and simplicity. The name Yūrei (幽霊) is the Japanese word for ghost, which comes from the primary hop used in this beer, called Grungeist, defined in German as "green ghost." It offers subtle notes of apricot and stone fruit which tickle the palate and finishes crisp and clean, a signature characteristic for a rice lager.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
5.1%
IBUs: 
33
Served at: 
40 - 45º F
Malts: 
Two Row Pilsner, Flaked Rice, Flaked Barley, Carafoam
Hops: 
Grungeist, Northern Brewer

 

 


The rating and full judge's review for this product is available only to premium subscribers.

Login / Subscribe

Not yet a subscriber? Visit the store now.
Options start for only $9.95!


Judges Rating:
94
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

Yurei by Arches Brewing is a Japanese-style Lager and is being evaluated as an International Pale Lager (category 2A in the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). International Pale Lagers are golden-colored lagers with less adjuncts than typical American lagers. The malt... Read More

À Tout le Monde

À Tout le Monde, Unibroue
Judges Rating:
92
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

À Tout le Monde by Unibroue is a Saison and is being evaluated as a Saison (category 25B in the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Saisons are typically well-carbonated, well-attenuated beers with a complex balance between phenolics, esters and hops. À Tout le Monde is produced in collaboration... Read More

Judges Rating:
87
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Chanukah, Hanukkah Pass the Beer by Shmaltz Brewing Co. is a dark ale brewed with chocolate, which is being evaluated as a Spice, Herb or Vegetable Beer (category 30A in the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Spice, Herb or Vegetable Beers are beers brewed with spices, herbs, and/or vegetables (... Read More

Nom Nom

Barley Forge Beer Nom Nom Mango hefeweizen
Judges Rating:
78
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
16 / 24
Flavor:
33 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

For this wheat beer brewed with mangos, the aroma starts generically citrus but unfortunately turns meaty with a disagreeable butterscotch diacetyl which growing stronger as the beer warms.  The flavor is much more pleasant with mango and tropical fruits with a light wheat character but... Read More

Good Seed

Good Seed

Louisiana
United States
Good Seed, Gnarly Barley Brewing
Description 

Good Seed is a zippy lil sour beer dosed up with an unreasonable amount of Guava, Blueberry, and Raspberry.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
5.0%
Malts: 
Pilsner, Wheat
Hops: 
Cascade

 

 


The rating and full judge's review for this product is available only to premium subscribers.

Login / Subscribe

Not yet a subscriber? Visit the store now.
Options start for only $9.95!


Judges Rating:
88
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Good Seed by Gnarly Barley Brewing Co. is a fruited Berliner Weisse and is being evaluated as a Fruit Beer (category 29A based on the 2021 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Berliner Weisse (category 23A in the 2021 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines) beers are sharply sour beers... Read More

Pages