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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

Alpha Abstraction Vol. 23

Alpha Abstraction Vol. 23

Georgia
United States
Alpha Abstraction Vol. 23, Wild Leap Brew Co.
Beverage Profile
ABV: 
8.0%
IBUs: 
44

 

 


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Judges Rating:
92
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Alpha Abstraction Vol. 23 by Wild Leap Brew Co. 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... Read More

Gnarly Barley Stout

Gnarly Barley Stout

Louisiana
United States
Gnarly Barley Stout, Gnarly Barley Brewing Co.
Description 

Our take on the classic style Russian Imperial Stout. This beer pours dark with a luscious tan head, roasted barley meets velvety chocolate notes and a creamy, smooth body.
 

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
9.4%

 

 


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Judges Rating:
92
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Gnarly Barley Stout by Gnarly Barley Brewing Co. is an Imperial Stout and is being evaluated as an Imperial Stout (category 20C in the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Imperial Stouts are the strongest beers in the stout family. Imperial Stouts are noted for their strong, rich chocolate and... Read More

La Trappe Quadrupel

La Trappe Quadrupel by Trappist Brewery Koningshoeven
Judges Rating:
94
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

La Trappe Quadrupel by Trappist Brewery Koningshoeven is a Trappist Quadrupel and is being judged as a Belgian Dark Strong Ale (category 26D from the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines).  La Trappe Quadrupel is an authentic Trappist beer brewed at the Brouwerij de Koningshoeven in the Netherlands... Read More

Judges Rating:
88
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

This is not your typical farmhouse ale; a distinct Brettanomyces citrusy aroma and prevalent sourness sets this saison apart from typical examples. With extended oak aging among numerous microflorae, the wild character is evident upon the first whiff. Aromas of orange zest and restrained leather... 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

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