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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

Stiegl Goldbräu

Goldbräu, Stiegl
Judges Rating:
85
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
19 / 24
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

Stiegl Goldbräu by Stiegl​ is an Austrian vollbier (generic moderate alcohol beer) and is being evaluated as a Munich Helles (category 4A in the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines).  Munich Helles are golden lagers with a moderate pils malt character with a slight hop presence throughout. Per... Read More

Grist Oktoberfest

Grist Oktoberfest by Grist Brewing Co.
Judges Rating:
93
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

This dark golden, crystal clear beer sports a huge, finely beaded, off-white head that would certainly look great in a one liter mug.  The aroma exudes melanoidins with bready and toasty malt and a surprising but welcomed herbal and spicy hops.  The flavor adds in a touch of sweetness to... Read More

Double Sunshine

Double Sunshine

Double Sunshine, Lawson's Finest Liquids
Description 

Double Sunshine is our American Double India Pale Ale which is packed with juicy, lush fruit character and dank herbal aromas, thanks to the abundance of U.S. grown hops.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
8.0%

 

 


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

Double Sunshine by Lawson’s Finest Liquids is a double IPA and is being evaluated as a double IPA (category 22A in the 2021 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). The focus of the double IPA style is hops, hops and more hops. Additionally, despite being a high-alcohol content... Read More

Whiffle

Whiffle

Ohio
United States
Whiffle, Rhinegeist Brewery
Description 

Balanced, dry, and effortlessly complex, Whiffle is a refreshing riff on a traditional Belgian Witbier. Airy wheat and bright citrus aromas drift in and give way to a crisp, ardent breeze bearing notes of tangerine and subtle spice—a breath of fresh air.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
5.0%
IBUs: 
6
Malts: 
Origin Malt Pilsner, Unmalted Wheat, Acidulated, Carafoam, Flaked Oats
Hops: 
Mandarina Bavaria

 

 


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

Whiffle by Rhinegeist Brewery is a Witbier and is being evaluated as such (category 24A from the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Witbiers are Belgian wheat beers that are typically brewed with coriander and orange peel. Witbier is a refreshing style noted for its flavors of citrus and floral... Read More

Oh, Sure

Oh, Sure

Ohio
United States
Oh, Sure, Land-Grant Brewing Co.
Description 

Land-Grant Brewing Company is excited to announce new mainstay IPA, Oh, Sure, amid a flurry of new, limited, and experimental brews. With a recipe that has been constantly refined over the past two years, this IPA is drenched in hop flavor with a name and can design that reflects Land-Grant's DIY, can-do ethos—It's an IPA poised to carry the baton for the brewery in 2020 and beyond.
“We have been tinkering with this recipe for 2 years now, and Oh, Sure has become the IPA that embodies our customer's favorite pieces from each IPA we’ve brewed” ​says Land-Grant Brewing’s Head Brewer, Dan Shaffer. “Over multiple iterations, we pulled some levers back (overripe tropical fruit, honey sweetness) and pushed others up (resin, citrus) until we had something that was intensely hoppy, but drinkable enough to keep you reaching for another. In the end Eureka, Comet, Simcoe, and Cashmere hops provided a very balanced Tangerine, Mango, and Hard Candy flavor profile. We're very satisfied with the results, and think it was worth all the (delicious) hassle.”
Oh, Sure will be assuming a year-round spot on the shelves of Ohio craft beer retailers and will be readily available throughout the Columbus Market. “With Dan taking the helm over a year ago and pushing our creative boundaries as a brewery and implementing new ideas, techniques and recipes with-in the brew team, it was time to put those ideas and techniques into a new IPA” says Land-Grant Brewing’s President and Co-Founder, Adam Benner. “We really listened to our customers on this recipe and have created an amazingly balanced, and enjoyable IPA that we’re certain will become your new favorite beer.” Remember, the next time someone asks if you want a beer, all you have to say is...Oh, Sure!

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
6.4
IBUs: 
42
Served at: 
45º F
Malts: 
Goldpils Vienna, Two Row Pale, White Wheat
Hops: 
Eureka, Comet, Simcoe, Cashmere

 

 


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Judges Rating:
90
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Oh, Sure by Land-Grant Brewing Co. is an American IPA and is being evaluated as an American IPA (category 21A from the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). American IPAs are hop-forward beers typically expressing American or new world hop characters that are most... Read More

Sunshine Chugsuckle

Sunshine Chugsuckle by Mother's Brewing Co.
Judges Rating:
88
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Mother's Brewing Sunshine Chugsuckle is a New England-style India Pale Ale and is being reviewed as a Specialty IPA (BJCP category 21B of the 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines).  New England IPAs (NEIPAs) are newcomers to the widely popular IPA scene.  NEIPAs are known for their fruity hop character (... Read More

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