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S J Klein

S J Klein's picture
Beer Judge

Picking up homebrewing on a bicycle trip across Australia in the 80's, S J. became the official brewer of his dorm in college. Turning an obsession into a profession, he attended the Siebel Institute long program, and started and ran the Borealis Brewery for 7 years, after which he became serious about judging. S J doesn't have a favorite style of beer, so much as he appreciates a beer that is well made. He's looking for balance, character, and "something to knock my socks off". He lives in Anchorage, Alaska, which from time to time has more breweries per capita than any other city in the world.

My reviews

Little Sumpin' Extra

Little Sumpin Extra Beer Lagunitas
Judges Rating:
93
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
20 / 20

A lot of brewers have gotten into the white IPA style lately, with a wide idea of what makes it "white." This Double White IPA embraces the concepts of a witbier with really nice results. The nose is full of grapefruit with some horseblanket. There is no notable malt in the nose, and when you... Read More

Pike Entire

The Pike Entire Barrel Aged Stout Beer
Judges Rating:
90
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

This beer is thick and black with a dark brown head. The nose is rich with molasses and toffee. Just a hint of oak or bourbon. In the mouth it's drier than the nose led me to believe. It's not terribly sweet, which is a nice surprise. It's got a dry bitterness too, the result of generous roasted... Read More

Imperial Pils

Lagunitas Imperial Pils Beer
Judges Rating:
89
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

This is an incredibly big version of a pilsner. The nose has hints of grapefruit and sharp matchstick, which is totally appropriate for the style. You get a mouthful of hops before it even hits your lips. This beer is thick and cloying, but it hits all the right notes: Light corn up front, then... Read More

CitruSinensis Pale Ale

CitruSinensis Pale
Judges Rating:
77
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
18 / 24
Flavor:
31 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
14 / 20

The nose is rich with corn and spicy floral notes, which remind me of English hop varietals. It has a very light fruitiness but I can't really tell there's tangerine in the nose if I wasn't looking for it. It's pale gold and brilliantly clear. A nice creamy white head thins out over time. In the... Read More

Judges Rating:
75
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
18 / 24
Flavor:
28 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

This beer pours into the glass with very little head despite copious bubbles. It has a slight cloudiness and is closer to amber than straw in color. In the nose, I picked up clove and banana, a slight green apple, a touch of goatiness, and maybe even a little old yeast scent. It also has a... Read More

Judges Rating:
87
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
24 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

Woah! This is a big beer, a hop bomb and a full-frontal assault. There is pine and peel in the vinous nose alongside a nice tart maltiness. The aroma is rich and wine-like with hints of orange blossom. The flavor starts with a sharp tart maltiness that hints at alcoholic strength, then... Read More

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