Bright Pineapple Sparkling Ale by Devils Backbone Brewing Co. is a blonde ale with pronounced pineapple flavor. It was judged as a Fruit Beer (BJCP sub-style 29A). It poured light golden into the glass where it set up with a very mild haze and a medium and short-lived white head. Its aroma was... Read More
Michael McGuire
Beer Judge
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).
My reviews
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
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
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
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
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Alpha Abstraction, Vol. 14 by Wild Leap Brew Co. is a Double IPA and was judged as such (BJCP sub-style 22A). It poured slightly hazy and golden into the glass, forming an impressively dense white head with excellent retention. Its aroma showcased the prominent floral hoppiness expected for... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
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
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
19 / 24
Flavor:
29 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
15 / 20
Crushin' It by Cape May Brewing Co. is a self-described Orange India Pale Ale and was judged as a Fruit Beer (BJCP sub-style 29A). In the glass it formed a very thin white head without much retention atop a hazy deep orange brew. The aroma was dominated by orange juice notes followed by lesser... Read More