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Pete Garofalo

Pete Garofalo's picture
Beer Judge

A Grand Master IV beer judge, Pete has been appreciating good beers since the days when locating a tavern with two “alternative” taps was a major find. He has been a homebrewer since 1991 and an active member of the Beer Judge Certification Program since 1994. He formerly served on the BJCP Board of Directors as the Northeast/International representative and remains active as a judge. 

 

BJCP Certificate

My reviews

Vunderbar Pilsner

Vunderbar Pilsner
Judges Rating:
90
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Fresh noble hops and cracker-like, lightly bready Pils malts are initially in the forefront. The hops have a tangy, floral character that sits atop an unexpected peach/pear fruitiness with a touch of honey. The flavor kicks off with a gently grainy malt that has a slight Graham cracker sweetness... Read More

Slow Ride

Slow Ride New Belgium IPA
Judges Rating:
88
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

A blast of fruity, resiny hops greets the nose with a cornucopia of tropical fruits: papaya, guava, and pineapple. The citrusy character is also present in the hop-driven aroma. A secondary bouquet of bready malt and a hint of corn-like DMS round out the fragrance. The flavor follows suit, but... Read More

HopBack

HopBack Troegs Beer
Judges Rating:
84
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

The initial aroma is of caramel and toasty malt, followed by woody, earthy hops that have a pithy character. Moderate strawberry esters have an overripe fruitiness, with a low-level sour/sulfury quality that is distracting. The flavor starts off with moderately toasted caramelly malts that are... Read More

Organic Pale Ale

Samuel Smith's Organic Pale Ale beer
Judges Rating:
89
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

The aroma of this beer initially came across as a mélange of fruit: strawberries, raspberries, cherries, and stone fruit with a touch of honey. The flavor features nutty, biscuity malt with hints of caramel and toffee that fade as a sharp wave of minerally bitterness washes through mid-taste.... Read More

Jacobite Ale

Jacobite Ale
Judges Rating:
91
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Spicy woodiness greets the nose followed by a caramel/toffee malt with a whiff of alcohol. Fruity character includes a dark dried fruit (fig, date, raisin). The flavor focuses first on the malt then adds a touch of woodiness, drying out as spiciness emerges toward the finish. Alcohol is subtle,... Read More

Old Brown Dog

Old Brown Dog Smuttynose Beer
Judges Rating:
87
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

Malt dominates this beer with tones of chocolate, nutty toastiness and dark dry fruit. Hops are restrained and allow the malt to shine with its many layers including cocoa, bread crust and light caramel. Hop bitterness is just enough to balance the complex malt and alcohol dries out the finish.... Read More

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