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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

Where's Bonnie? Belgian Witbier

Where's Bonnie? Belgian Witbier

Washington
United States
Where's Bonnie? Belgian Witbier, Flying Lion Brewing
Description 

A pale, hazy Witbier, crafted from 50% wheat, and well balanced. Flaunting subtle Belgian character and lightly spiced with coriander and orange peel, Witbier pairs best with sunshine and daydreams.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
5.4%
IBUs: 
24
Served at: 
40 - 45º F
Malts: 
Pale, Wheat, Flaked Oats
Hops: 
Perle, Saaz

 

 


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Judges Rating:
90
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Where's Bonnie? Belgian Witbier by Flying Lion Brewing is a Witbier and is being evaluated as a Witbier (category 24A from the 2021 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Witbiers are Belgian wheat beers that are typically spiced with coriander and orange peel. Witbier is a... 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

Alpha Abstraction, Vol. 13

Alpha Abstraction, Vol. 13

Georgia
United States
Alpha Abstraction, Vol. 13, Wild Leap Brew Co.
Description 

Thirteenth edition of this juicy, double dry-hopped IPA brewed with Sabro hops creating notes of tropical fruit, herbs, and pine

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
8.0%
IBUs: 
44
Hops: 
Sabro

 

 


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

Alpha Abstraction, Vol. 13 by Wild Leap Brew Co. 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

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

Saturnine Feline

Saturnine Feline

Pennsylvania
USA
Saturnine Feline, Attic Brewing Co.
Description 

We teamed up with Philly Metal Band Crypt Sermon to craft a beer, and we could only go one route...dark. Saturnine Feline is a brilliant nod to the darkest style of German lagers, the Schwarzbier. Brewed with German malts and hops, this dark lager's smooth roasted character is complemented with notes of dark chocolate and slight caramel sweetness that finishes clean and dry.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
5.0%
Served at: 
41 - 48º F
Malts: 
Weyermann Pils, Weyermann Munich, Simpsons Roasted, Simpsons Chocolate
Hops: 
Hallertau Mittelfruh

 

 


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Judges Rating:
86
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

Saturnine Feline by Attic Brewing Co. is a Schwarzbier and is being evaluated as a Schwarzbier (category 8B in the 2021 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Schwarzbiers are black German lagers with light to moderate roasty/chocolatey malt flavors, smooth mouthfeel and... Read More

Or Xata

Or Xata The Bruery Beer
Judges Rating:
85
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

This beer was brewed to mimic the non-alcoholic Spanish and Latin American drink Horchata. The spices in Horchata can vary by region, but the flavorings in this beer are a common combination: vanilla, cinnamon, rice and lactose (to replicate the creaminess from milk).  Vanilla dominates the... Read More

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