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Sal Mortillaro II

Sal Mortillaro II's picture
Beer & Mead Judge

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.

BJCP Grand Master II Certificate

 

My reviews

Stash IPA

Stash IPA Independence Brewing Co.
Judges Rating:
92
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Stash IPA by Independence Brewing is being evaluated as an American IPA (Category 21A) from the 2015 BJCP guidelines. 

This beer pours dark gold color with hazy clarity.  A bone white, rocky head forms and is quite sturdy.  A very nice and interesting hop aroma of moderate intensity... Read More

Hazy River IPL

Hazy River IPL, Pontoon Brewing
Judges Rating:
90
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Hazy River IPL by Pontoon Brewing is being evaluated as a Pale Kellerbier (Category 21B) according to the 2015  BJCP Style Guidelines.

This beer pours a dark gold color with hazy clarity. A nicely sustained sudsy head of medium sized white bubbles persists and leaves a nice lacing on the... Read More

Havana Lager

Havana Lager

Florida
United States
Havana Lager, Concrete Beach Brewery
Description 

Havana Lager pours brightly, with a beautiful sunburst-orange hue and foamy white head. Toasted malt characters envelope the palate, giving this beer a slight malty sweetness that finishes crisp and clean.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
5.2%
IBUs: 
20
Served at: 
45 - 50ºF
Malts: 
Two-row, Vienna, Melanoidin, Chocolate
Hops: 
Cascade, Hallertau

 

 


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Judges Rating:
93
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Havana Lager by Concrete Beach Brewery was judged as a Vienna Lager (BJCP Style Category 7A). This beer poured a golden color with orange hues and bright clarity. A tightly formed and generous off-white head of small bubbles sits and lingers on top of the beer. A moderate-low aroma of spicy and... Read More

Urayasu Rice Lager

Urayasu Rice Lager

Florida
United States
Urayasu Rice Lager, Ivanhoe Park Brewing Co.
Description 

Urayasu (rye-yah-su) Rice Lager is a Japanese-inspired beer, named after the sister city of Orlando, FL and where a well-known amusement park calls home today. Our connection with the history in Orlando brings back the past of a previous amusement park, where this one brings back their history of being an important fishing village for the Edo capital. Rice adds clarity, crispness, and a slight sweetness, while still only making up less than one third of the grain bill. This well-balanced beer combines the earthy herbal flavors of the land with the nobility and brightness of the sea, as Urayasu has.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
5.6%
Malts: 
Weyermann Bohemian Pilsner
Hops: 
Czech Saaz

 

 


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Judges Rating:
92
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Urayasu Rice Lager by Ivanhoe Park Brewing Co. is being judged as an International Pale Lager (Category 2A) per the 2021 BJCP Style guidelines.

This beer pours a straw gold color with very slight chill haze. A bone white head of fine, mousse-like bubbles is persistent and leaves a... Read More

Mango Mosaic

Mango Mosaic by Breckenridge Brewery
Judges Rating:
80
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
32 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

This American Pale Ale pours golden color with bright clarity. A white head quickly fades leaving a scant trace throughout the drinking of the beer. On the nose, a low and sublime spicy hop aroma provides a base note with a moderate-high aroma consisting of tropical fruit (mango and papaya)... Read More

The Illustrated Man

The Illustrated Man Independence Brewing Co.
Judges Rating:
89
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

The Illustrated Man by Independence Brewing is being evaluated as a Wild Specialty Beer (Category 28C) from the 2015 BJCP guidelines. 

This beer pours a dark brown color with opaque clarity due to the color and a light haze. A beige colored velvety head quickly forms but is modest and... Read More

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