Rustic Ridge IPA by Highland Brewing Co. 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 that are most... Read More
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Michael Heniff
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.
My reviews
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Piraat by Brouwerij Van Steenberge is a Belgian Golden Strong and is being evaluated as a Belgian Golden Strong Ale (category 25C from the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Belgian Golden Strong Ales are noted for their deceptive strength, light color and simple malt profile as well as prominent... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
This beer is a barrel aged version of their Third Ring Belgian Strong Ale that is aged in Cabernet Sauvignon wine barrels for a year. The aroma is an abundance of cherry, red grape, and prune fruit paired with vanilla and toasted oak; a light bready malt compliments the fruit and wood while a... Read More
Judge's Seltzer Review: 94 Rating - Snowmelt Hard Sipper Lavender Lemon Flora by Upslope Brewing Co.
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
Snowmelt Hard Sipper Lavender Lemon Flora by Upslope Brewing Co. is being evaluated as a Fruit and Spice Seltzer based on The Beer Connoisseur's 2022 Hard Seltzer Style Definitions & Judging Guidelines. Fruit and Spice Seltzers are noted for the harmonious balance... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Fit Bits by WeldWerks Brewing Co. is a Session IPA and is being evaluated as a Specialty IPA (category 21B in the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Session IPAs are lower-gravity (and hence lower alcohol content and lower calories) versions of IPAs that retain the same hop-forward aroma and... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Aldersbacher Kloster Weiss Hell is a hefeweizen by Brauerei Aldersbacher and is being evaluated as a Weissbier (2015 BJCP Style Guidelines category 10A). Weissbiers are noted for their wheat character along with an abundance of esters (typically banana) and phenolics (most typically cloves). ... Read More