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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

Bastogne Ardenne Stout

Bastogne Ardenne Stout by Brasserie de Bastogne
Judges Rating:
88
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Ardenne Stout by Brasserie de Bastogne is a Belgian Stout and is being judged as a Mixed-Style Beer (category 34B in the 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines). The Mixed-Style Beer category is a catch-all category for hybrid beers that are not covered elsewhere in the guidelines. Belgian Stouts are... Read More

Hopcelot

Hopcelot

Hopcelot, Lawson's Finest Liquids
Description 

Inspired by a dreamy combination of music, hops and beer. Celebrate with us as we revel in the glory of 8 varieties of hops from around the world, brewed to create intricate flavor and delight your senses!

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
7.0%

 

 


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Judges Rating:
97
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
39 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
20 / 20

Hopcelot by Lawson’s Finest Liquids is an American IPA and is being evaluated as an American IPA (category 21A from the 2021 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). American IPAs are hop-forward beers typically expressing American or new world hop characters that are most... Read More

Pre-Pro Lager

Pre-Pro Lager

California
United States
East Brother Beer Pre-Pro Lager, East Brother Beer Co.
Description 

A Prohibition-era lager recipe with a crisp Cluster hop presence, a bit of corn and barley flavor, and a clean finish.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
5.2%
Served at: 
38° F
Malts: 
Admiral Maltings Six-Row Barley Malt
Hops: 
Cluster

 

 


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

Pre-Pro Lager by East Brother Beer Co. is a pre-Prohibition Lager and is being evaluated as a Historical Beer: Pre-Prohibition Lager (category 27 in the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Pre-Prohibition Lagers are golden-colored lagers that were frequently brewed with... Read More

Judges Rating:
93
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Cloud Catcher Milkshake IPA by Odell Brewing Co. is a New England-style hazy IPA and is being evaluated as a Specialty IPA (category 21B in the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines, referencing the working version of New England IPA style guideline on the BJCP's development website). New England IPAs... Read More

Judges Rating:
92
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

This canned beer pours pitch black and opaque with a small, splotchy brown head. Dark malt aromas dominate with chocolate, roasted, and toasted characters and a hint of complementing vanilla. The flavor mimics the aroma with a slightly sharp roasted and chocolate malt with a light complementing... Read More

Sigman Stavecation

Sigman Stavecation

Georgia
United States
Sigman Stavecation, Pontoon Brewing
Description 

Over a year in a single Blanton barrel (mash bill #1, barrel #409, warehouse H, Rick #2) with a triple mash and incredibly long boil (28 hours) to get to 42 Plato, with a 20 Plato final gravity.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
13.9%
Served at: 
50 - 55º F

 

 


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

Sigman Stavecation by Pontoon Brewing is a 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 harmonious... Read More

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