Mystery Ship is a red ale brewed with Brettanomyces yeast (Brett) and dry-hopped. As such, by definition it has both distinctive sour and “funky,” and intensely hoppy, aromas and flavors. It poured brownish-red and hazy into the glass, sporting a thick tan-white head with good retention. The... Read More
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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:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Snozzberries Taste Like Snozzberries by Pontoon Brewing is a complex fruit beer and was judged as a Fruit and Spice Beer (BJCP sub-style 29B). It poured bright purple and opaque into the glass, where it formed a moderate lighter purple head with modest retention. An appearance resembling... Read More
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:
21 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20
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
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Light of the Feu Follets by Low Road Brewing was judged as a Witbier (2021 BJCP style 24A). It poured light gold and mostly clear into the glass, forming a thin white head with moderate retention.
The aroma initially featured some mild Belgian ale yeast notes and some wheat malt sweetness... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
This beer poured a clear orange color with a thick, white head with a moderate degree of retention. Upon first whiff, I was greeted with a complex aroma that combined fruity esters, deep malt sweetness and citrusy hops. The beer’s flavor profile similarly included citrusy hops up front followed... Read More