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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

A Stout of Mind

A Stout of Mind

Georgia
United States
A Stout of Mind, Pontoon Brewing
Description 

Happiness is a Stout of Mind with this THICC Imperial Milk Stout! Our original collaboration with Wild Leap Brew Co., Man Overboard, was a Dolly Bar inspired Milk Stout that went through a triple mash and 18 hour boil for a sweet treat. We put it on Jameson Select barrels for 13 months and threw in a ton of coconut, graham cracker, cinnamon, vanilla and caramel. Tons of honey and caramel notes come through from the barrels to complement the sweet notes in this collab!

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
12.1%
Served at: 
50 - 55º F

 

 


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

A Stout of Mind by Pontoon Brewing is a spiced and barrel-aged Imperial Milk Stout and 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... 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

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

Yurei

Yurei

Yurei, Arches Brewing
Description 

This Japanese-style Pilsner was developed with a focus on quality ingredients and simplicity. The name Yūrei (幽霊) is the Japanese word for ghost, which comes from the primary hop used in this beer, called Grungeist, defined in German as "green ghost." It offers subtle notes of apricot and stone fruit which tickle the palate and finishes crisp and clean, a signature characteristic for a rice lager.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
5.1%
IBUs: 
33
Served at: 
40 - 45º F
Malts: 
Two Row Pilsner, Flaked Rice, Flaked Barley, Carafoam
Hops: 
Grungeist, Northern Brewer

 

 


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Judges Rating:
94
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

Yurei by Arches Brewing is a Japanese-style Lager and is being evaluated as an International Pale Lager (category 2A in the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). International Pale Lagers are golden-colored lagers with less adjuncts than typical American lagers. The malt... Read More

Jungle Joy

Brussels Beer Project Jungle Joy, Brussels Beer Project
Judges Rating:
85
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

Jungle Joy by Brussels Beer Project is a fruited Belgian Dubbel and is being evaluated as a Fruit Beer (category 29 in the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). The fruit in Fruit Beers should complement the base style without overwhelming it. Belgian Dubbels are moderately-strong malty beers with... Read More

Paleo Ale

Fossil Cove Brewing Paleo Ale beer
Judges Rating:
90
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

This American Pale Ale pours a crystal clear, dark golden color with a resilient, off-white head. Featuring Cascade, CTZ and Galena hops, the aroma is moderate citrusy, woodsy, and berry-like in hop aroma with a light nutty, caramel maltiness to complement the hops. The flavor is again... Read More

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