Mike started homebrewing in 1983 in Baton Rouge, LA. He subsequently continued brewing when life took him to Grayslake, IL, Lancaster, PA, Vienna, VA, and Raleigh, NC. He was a founding member of the Lancaster County Brewers homebrew club, and later a member of the Brewers United for Real Potables (BURP), Wort Hogs, and Cary, Apex, & Raleigh Brewers of Yore (CARBOY) clubs.
He took the BJCP exam in 2000, became certified in 2002, and achieved National rank in 2005. In addition to judging in many regional and national AHA-sponsored competitions since 2000, he has judged in several state-specific competitions for professional breweries (e.g., the Virginia Craft Beer Cup and the Maryland Governor’s Cup).
Cosmic Pyrokinesis by Mother Earth Brew Co. is a New England IPA and was judged as a Specialty IPA (BJCP sub-style 21B).
It poured golden into the glass with a slight haze, forming a modest white head with moderate retention. Its aroma featured complex fruity hop notes up front,... Read More
Alpha Abstraction, Vol. 8 by Wild Leap Brew Co. was described as a “Double IPA” and was judged as one (BJCP sub-style 22A). In the glass it formed a medium white head atop a light orange beer with only a slight chill haze. Unlike many hop-bomb Double IPAs that assault the senses with piney... Read More
Alcatraz Double Cold Brew by Alcatraz Brewing is an Imperial Stout with cold-brewed coffee and was judged as a Spice, Herb or Vegetable Beer (BJCP sub-style 30A). It poured black and opaque into the glass, forming a moderately thick white head with somewhat rapid dissipation. Its aroma featured... Read More
Vacanza by Wild Leap Brew Co. was described as a “Tangerine Hibiscus Gose” and was judged as a Fruit and Spice Beer (BJCP sub-style 29B). In the glass it formed a thin white head atop a somewhat hazy reddish-orange brew. The aroma consisted of floral hibiscus notes followed by sweet citrus ones... Read More
English Pale Mild Ale by Wallenpaupack Brewing Co. is an English Ordinary Bitter and was judged as such (BJCP sub-style 11A). It poured deep golden and slightly hazy into the glass, forming a thick, modestly-retained white head. Initial aromas before warming included... Read More
Irrationally Exuberant by Cape May Brewing Co. is a Golden Sour Ale that was judged as a Wild Specialty Beer (BJCP sub-style 28C). In the glass it formed a thin white head without much retention atop a murky dark golden brew. The aroma was dominated by profound (probably lactic) sourness... Read More
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