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

Heal The Bay IPA

Heal The Bay IPA Golden Road Beer
Judges Rating:
88
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
33 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

From the start, agressiveness is the impression of this beer. With a hefty dose of Citra, Centennial, and some New Zealand hop varieties, the hop character highlights very prominent citrusy, peach, and grapefruit aromas and flavors throughout. The malt character is very light and lends little... Read More

Judges Rating:
92
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Cardigans of the Galaxy by Monday Night Brewing is a Double IPA and is being evaluated as a Double IPA (category 22A 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 are... 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

 

 


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:
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

True Blonde Ale

Ska beer True Blond Ale
Judges Rating:
94
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

This beer is labeled as a blonde ale but that name only is appropriate for the description of the beer’s color; this hoppy ale is WAY too assertive for that boring “Blonde Ale” category! In the aroma, the hops are readily apparent as herbal, spicy, and floral for a character somewhat like noble... Read More

Motorworks Oktoberfest

Motorworks Oktoberfest, Motorworks Brewing
Judges Rating:
87
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

Motorworks Oktoberfest by Motorworks Brewing​ is a Marzen and is being evaluated as a Marzen (category 6A from the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines).  Marzens are known for being rich, malty lagers with the malt character focused on bready and toasty flavors. 

This Marzen pours amber in... Read More

Apple Brandy Barrel Aged Barleywine

Apple Brandy Barrel Aged Barleywine

Apple Brandy Barrel Aged Barleywine, pFriem Family Brewers
Description 

Apple Brandy Barleywine is highly spirited, yet nuanced, with notes of bourbon, toffee and creme brûlée. It’s aged in American Oak with sturdy tannins and a robust ABV for the most analog of pleasures—like chit-chatting with friends or sauntering old cobblestone streets aglow in romance.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
11.8%
IBUs: 
45
Served at: 
40 - 45º F
Malts: 
Simpsons Golden Promise
Hops: 
Chinook, 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:
92
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Apple Brandy Barrel Aged Barleywine by pFriem Family Brewers is being evaluated as a Specialty Wood-Aged Beer (category 33B from the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Specialty Wood-Aged Beers are aged in spirit barrels and should have a harmonious blend between the... Read More

Pages