Reel Hazy by Crystal Lake Brewing is a New England IPA and was judged as a Specialty IPA (BJCP sub-style 21B). It poured straw-colored and moderately hazy into the glass, forming a modest white head. The aroma featured intense fruity hop notes and almost no malty or... 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:
5 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
This double IPA starts off strong with a pronounced fruity, hoppy aroma (grapefruit and pineapple) and a beautiful orange color with a generous creamy white head. This early promise is not sustained, however, as both the expected IBUs and substantial maltiness (and strength) expected for the... Read More
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
19 / 24
Flavor:
32 / 40
Mouthfeel:
6 / 10
Overall Impression:
14 / 20
War Llama by Mispillion River Brewing is a Berliner Weisse brewed with mixed berry flavor and electroltyes and was judged as a Berliner Weisse (BJCP sub-style 23A). It poured a clear, bright Granny Smith Apple-green color into the glass, forming a sparse greenish-white... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
This beer poured clear orange with a very thick white nitro-enhanced head. The aroma was full of fruity (pear) esters and hop notes including some initial grassy ones. The intensity of the aromas was a pleasant surprise since some hop-forward nitro beers have their aroma suppressed by a thick... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Strawberry Beards Forever by Holy City Brewing is a strawberry-infused Berliner Weisse and was judged as a Fruit Beer (BJCP sub-style 29A). It poured pink and cloudy into the glass, with a fizzy white head with modest retention.
The aroma featured intense berry and more mild sour and... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Team Fiona NE IPA by Listermann Brewing Company is a Specialty IPA (BJCP sub-style 21C) and, as instructed, was judged more specifically as a New England IPA (a popular sub-style not delineated in the 2015 BJCP style guidelines). In the glass it formed an unusually thick, white, well-retained... Read More