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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

When Pigs Fly

When Pigs Fly

Connecticut
USA
When Pigs Fly, Clocktown Brewing Co.
Description 

One of our taproom favorites. This Hazy IPA is soft on the palate and double dry-hopped with three American hop varieties. It explodes with notes of tropical fruit, berries and mango. a must-have for all of you Hop Heads.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
6.8%
IBUs: 
5
Served at: 
38 - 40º F
Malts: 
Pale Two-Row, Malted Wheat, Flaked Oats, Light Caramalt
Hops: 
Idaho 7, El Dorado, Citra

 

 


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Judges Rating:
96
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

When Pigs Fly by Clocktown 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-typical... Read More

Fear.Movie.Lions Double IPA

Fear.Movie.Lions Double IPA

California
United States
Fear.Movie.Lions Double IPA, Stone Brewing
Description 

Stone's take on the New England-Style IPA. Overall this unfiltered double IPA is juiced up with massive tropical & citrus notes. The mild bitterness and relatively dry body compliment the style, and the residual maltiness nicely rounds it out. Lingering lime peel and tropical fruit derived from the hops stand out on the finish, begging one to seek out more.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
8.5%
IBUs: 
60
Hops: 
Loral, Mosaic

 

 


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Judges Rating:
91
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Fear.Movie.Lions by Stone Brewing Co. is a East Coast Double IPA and is being evaluated as a Specialty IPA (category 21B in the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). The focus of the Double IPA style is hops, hops and more hops. Additionally, despite being a high-alcohol content style, Double IPAs... 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

Pinchy Jeek Barl

Pinchy Jeek Barl Beer
Judges Rating:
96
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
24 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
20 / 20

Upon initial impression, the aroma exudes bourbon barrel-aging characteristics of prominent bourbon, toasted oak, and vanilla. Pumpkin spices build in intensity with each whiff, eventually matching and melding with the barrel characters along with a chocolate and caramel malt background. The... Read More

The Knights Who Say NEIPA

The Knights Who Say NEIPA

Georgia
United States
The Knights Who Say NEIPA, Pontoon Brewing
Description 

We are no longer the Knights Who Say Ni, we are now the Knights Who Say NEIPA! Pontoon presents the holy grail of IPAs, a New England Style IPA packed with Citra, Mosaic, Simcoe and Loral hops. This smooth NEIPA will be your new holy grail!

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
8.0%
Served at: 
45 - 50ºF
Hops: 
Citra, Mosaic, Simcoe, Loral

 

 


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Judges Rating:
92
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

The Knights that Say NEIPA by Pontoon Brewing is a Double New England-style IPA and is being evaluated as a Specialty IPA (category 21B in the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). The focus of the Double IPA style is hops, hops, and more hops. Additionally, despite being... 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

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