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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

Riegele Noctus 100

Riegele Noctus 100, Brauhaus Riegele
Judges Rating:
92
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Riegele Noctus 100 by Brauhaus Riegele is an Imperial Stout and is being evaluated as an Imperial Stout (category 20C in the 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines). Imperial Stouts are the strongest of the stout family and are noted for their strength and complexity with a myriad of dark malt flavors... 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

Bourbon Cru

Bourbon Cru

Virginia
United States
Bourbon Cru, Hardywood Park Craft Brewery
Description 

Bourbon Barrel Cru is a Belgian Quadrupel displaying a rich mahogany hue with a medium body and brilliant clarity after months of barrel aging. The maturity and melding of flavors brought on by the freshly drained Heaven Hills bourbon whiskey barrels lends an extraordinary sense of harmony to Bourbon Barrel Cru. The 2021 Bourbon Barrel Cru is a blend of young 12 week and 12 month bourbon barrel aged Belgian Quadrupel. Almond, toffee and oaky vanilla give way to notes of dark cherries and raisins. Subtle hints of plum are greeted by caramel overtones for a smooth, robust and warming finish.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
12.0%
IBUs: 
18
Served at: 
55º F

 

 


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Judges Rating:
90
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Bourbon Cru by Hardywood Park Craft Brewery is a Belgian-style Quad aged in bourbon barrels 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... Read More

Lundi

Lundi, Monday Night Brewing
Judges Rating:
94
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

Lundi by Monday Night Brewing is an American IPA and is being evaluated as an American IPA (category 21A from the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). American IPAs are hop-forward beers typically expressing American or new world hop characters and are most typically citrusy, piney or resiny in... Read More

Ozark Double IPA

Ozark Beer Company Double IPA can
Judges Rating:
94
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
24 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

This canned double IPA from northwest Arkansas seems quite unassuming in appearance -- just a basic, silver can with a small green label. Once opened, however, this beer is anything but unassuming! The aroma of this IPA exudes prominent pine, resin, citrus and blackberry hops with a light... Read More

Dual Exhaust West Coast Double IPA

Dual Exhaust West Coast Double IPA

California
United States
Dual Exhaust West Coast Double IPA, Garage Brewing Co.
Description 

Hoppy goodness and immensely drinkable. Flavors of candied citrus with lingering sweet bitterness. The body and mouthfeel help set this one apart from other IPAs.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
8.1%
Hops: 
Mosaic, Amarillo

 

 


The rating and full judge's review for this product is available only to premium subscribers.

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Options start for only $9.95!


Judges Rating:
90
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
19 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Dual Exhaust West Coast Double IPA by Garage Brewing Co. 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... Read More

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