This beer was presented as a Coffee Stout, which it resoundingly was. It poured a deep black color, sporting a medium-sized white head with modest retention. The fresh-roasted coffee aroma was immediate and intense and not a combination of dark malts that imitated coffee. The taste too was ... 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:
20 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Haddy by Reformation Brewery is a Belgian-style white ale. It was judged as a Witbier (BJCP sub-style 24A). It poured light golden into the glass where it set up slightly hazy with a moderate but short-lived white head. Its aroma consisted primarily of bitter orange on top of wheat malt with... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
6 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20
Nolan The Wanderer by Reformation Brewery is a Brut IPA judged as a Specialty IPA (BJCP sub-category 21B). It poured gold and slightly hazy into the glass forming a thin white quickly-dissipating head. The aroma featured a strong citrus hop nose that, like the initial head, waned within moments... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Fresh As by Astro Lab Brewing is an American IPA and was judged as such (BJCP sub-style 21A). It poured light golden into the glass with a slight haze and a moderate white head with adequate retention. Its initial aroma was very sweet and fruity with notes of pineapple. As time passed, the aroma... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
Skater Aid by Gnarly Barley Brewing Co. is an Italian-style crisp pilsner and was judged as an International Pale Lager according to the 2015 BJCP style guidelines (sub-style 2A). It poured a very clear gold into the glass, forming a thick white head with moderate... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
Hell & High Water by Gnarly Barley Brewing Co. is exactly what its name says and was judged as a Specialty Wood-Aged Beer (BJCP sub-style 33B).
It poured opaque inky black into the glass, forming only a thin tan head with little... Read More