Indecision Pale Ale by Smartmouth Brewing Co. is an American Pale Ale and was judged as one (BJCP sub-style 18B). It poured slightly cloudy and gold into the glass sporting a thick white head with modest retention. The nose featured an intense piney hop aroma up front and throughout with only a... 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:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Chickow! by Listermann Brewing Co. is a complex brown ale and, as instructed, was judged as an American Brown Ale (BJCP sub-style 19C). It poured very dark brown and moderately opaque into the glass, where it formed a thin white head with modest retention. Like a true brown ale, its aroma... 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
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
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
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
Rougarou’s Curse by Low Road Brewing is an English Barleywine (BJCP sub-style 17D). It poured a clear, deep amber color into the glass, forming a dense white head with moderate retention. The aroma was dominated by rich, layered malt notes including strong hints of caramel, raisins and dates.... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
This American IPA poured orange with a thick white head consisting of unusually big bubbles. The aroma was relatively mild with some malt and hops in the nose but not as much as expected for style; some plastic-phenolic notes also detracted from the aroma. The flavor was similarly understated... Read More