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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

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

Stick Shift Lager

Stick Shift Lager

California
United States
Stick Shift Lager, Garage Brewing Co.
Description 

This crisp, clean and refreshing beer has a low ABV making it perfect for those lazy afternoons when you are cruisin' at home (or on vacation) and want to enjoy the great taste of a craft beer without getting too buzzed.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
3.9%

 

 


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Judges Rating:
95
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

Stick Shift Lager by Garage Brewing Co. is an American Light Lager and is being evaluated as an American Light Lager (category 1A from the 2021 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). American Light Lagers are known for their very light flavor profile, low bitterness and high... Read More

Judges Rating:
88
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Anchor Christmas Ale - 2019 by Anchor Brewing Co. is a spiced beer and is being evaluated as a Winter Seasonal Beer (category 30C from the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Winter Seasonal Beers are spiced beers that are suggestive of Christmas or the winter season (such as mulling spices or... Read More

Judges Rating:
88
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
18 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

This fruited Berliner weisse presents as a very hazy, golden beer with a big, fluffy, white head that quickly fades with quite a “crackle and pop”.   The initial aroma is a prominent, off-putting sulfur without much else to be discriminated behind the strong sulfur character.  As the sulfur... Read More

Black Gold

Black Gold

Georgia
United States
Black Gold, Arches Brewing
Description 

Built on a traditional Schwarzbier base, this German dark lager blends light notes of roast and chocolate with floral and spicy hops. A subtle hop profile featuring noble German hops provides just enough bitterness to balance the beer’s signature roast character. While dark in color, Black Gold drinks incredibly light and sessionable.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
5.3
IBUs: 
24
Served at: 
45º F
Hops: 
Perle, Tettnang

 

 


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Judges Rating:
91
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Black Gold by Arches Brewing is being evaluated as a Schwarzbier (category 8B in the 2021 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Schwarzbiers are black German lagers with prominent roasty malt flavors, smooth mouthfeel and restrained bitterness.

Black Gold pours black in... Read More

Tan Limes

Tan Limes

New Jersey
United States
Tan Limes, Cape May Brewing Co.
Description 

Tan Limes is our Mexican-style Lager brewed with a touch of locally-sourced sea salt and a hint of Persian lime juice. Fresh and zesty, Tan Limes would be perfectly at home at your local cantina and is best paired with street tacos, brilliant sunshine, and close friends.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
4.5%
IBUs: 
12
Malts: 
Pilsner, Flaked Corn
Hops: 
Bravo

 

 


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

Tan Limes by Cape May Brewing Co. is a Mexican-style lager with lime and sea salt and is being evaluated as a fruit beer (category 29 in the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines with the base style as a 2A International Pale Lager). The fruit in fruit beers should complement the base style without... Read More

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