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Sal has been homebrewing since 2010 and has been a certified judge in the BJCP program since 2012 where he currently holds the rank of Grand Master 2. He has won several awards and medals during his time homebrewing and he currently serves as a BJCP exam proctor, exam grader, exam admin, and the Regional Representative for the Southern Region. Sal has served as a Best of Show judge for the Alabama Craft Beer State Championship and Montana Brewery of the Year State Championship and has judged at the Great American Beer Festival, Aro Rojo, and Arizona Craft Brewers Guild commercial competitions. Sal is one of the first ten educators in the United States for the Wine & Spirit Education Trust Award in Beer Level 1 and Level 2 certifications. He is a regular guest on the NOLA Drinks radio show & pod cast and contributor to Louisiana Craft Beer Magazine.
Sal is a member of the Mystic Krewe of Brew Homebrew Club where he serves as the Educational Director and occasional Vice President. He is also a founding board member of The Bayou State Homebrew Competition Circuit. He is the competition coordinator for the New Orleans On Tap, Bayou Beer Fest, and Larry Fest charity beer events. He has served as a “Beer Geek” in the local area for a well-known, national chain of natural grocery stores reviewing and recommending beers to their customers.
Sal enjoys brewing all styles of beer, but thoroughly enjoys venturing into the weird and wild, discovering beers that utilize non-traditional ingredients and brewing techniques. He appreciates drinking all beer styles, but particularly enjoys malty or sour beers.
RecreationAle by Terrapin Beer Company is being evaluated as a Mixed-Style Beer (Category 34B) from the 2015 BJCP guidelines as it combines traditional American IPA qualities (Category 21A) with a session strength 4.7% ABV noted in Specialty IPA guidelines (Category 21B).
This beer pours... Read More
Zwart Black Star by De Proef Brouwerij and Surly Brewing Co., is being evaluated as a Mixed-Style Beer (Category 34B) according to the 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines due to its use of wood, spices, and Brettanomyces in an Old Ale (Category 17B) base beer.
This beer pours a light brown with... Read More
Bourbon Barrel Aged Laika by Straight to Ale Brewery is being judged as a Wood Aged Beer (Category 33A) with an Imperial Stout (Category 20C) base according to the 2015 BJCP Guidelines.
This beer pours a very dark brown with hazy clarity when a light is held to it. A creamy, mocha... Read More
Samuel Adams Wicked Hazy IPA by The Boston Beer Co. This beer pours a dark gold color with hazy opaque clarity. A copious creamy, white head of small lathery bubbles is sustained throughout the entire beer and leaves a lovely lacing on the glass. This beer has an overall moderately low aroma... Read More
Side Bae Cryo Pop Double IPA by Wild Leap Brew Co. is being reviewed as a Alternative Sugar Beer (Category 31B) due to the use of lactose with a Double IPA base beer (Category 22A) per the 2021 BJCP guidelines.
This beer pours a gold color with an opaque clarity. A head of tight, tiny... Read More
This Imperial Red Ale pours a beautiful deep amber and rust color with hazy clarity and a fluffy, khaki-colored head, which lasts for the duration of the pour. A lovely lacing lingers on the glass as the beer is consumed. There is a low malt aroma consisting of sweet base malt with toffee... Read More
