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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

Partners in Crema

Partners in Crema, Wild Leap Brew Co.
Judges Rating:
74
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
25 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
13 / 20

Partners in Crema by Wild Leap Brew Co. is being evaluated as a Spice, Herb, or Vegetable beer (Category 30A) with an Imperial Stout (Category 20C) as its base according to the 2015 BJCP guildelines. 

This beer pours medium brown with a thin café au lait colored head of smalls bubbles... Read More

Arrogant Bastard Ale

Arrogant Bastard Ale

California
United States
Arrogant Bastard Ale, Stone Brewing
Description 

This is an aggressive beer. You probably won’t like it. It is quite doubtful that you have the taste or sophistication to be able to appreciate an ale of this quality and depth. We would suggest that you stick to safer and more familiar territory—maybe something with a multimillion-dollar ad campaign aimed at convincing you it’s made at an independent brewery, or one that implies that their tasteless seltzer / fizzy yellow beer / whatever-the-hell will give you more sex appeal. Perhaps you think multimillion-dollar ad campaigns make all that junk taste better. Perhaps you’re mouthing your words as you read this.
We believe that pandering to the lowest common denominator represents the height of tyranny—a virtual form of keeping the consumer barefoot, stupid & led by the nose social media. Brought forth upon an unsuspecting public in 1997, Arrogant Bastard Ale openly challenged the tyrannical overlords who were brazenly attempting to keep the people chained in the shackles of poor taste. One glance around and it’s glaringly obvious: they’re winning...as of now. Yet we will not stop. Ever. Since the very beginning, Arrogant Bastard Ale has reveled in its unprecedented and uncompromising celebration of intensity. There have been many nods to Arrogant Bastard Ale…even outright attempts to copy it…but only one can ever embody the true nature of Liquid Arrogance! Hated By Many. Loved By Few.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
7.2%

 

 


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Judges Rating:
96
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
39 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

Arrogant Bastard Ale by Stone Brewing Co. is being judged as an American Strong Ale (Category 22B) per the 2015 BJCP guidelines.

This beer pours a beautiful copper with clear clarity. A slightly off-white head of tiny bubbles forms and is sustained. As the beer is consumed, a beautiful... Read More

pFriem Rum Barrel-Aged Porter with Coconut

pFriem Rum Barrel-Aged Porter with Coconut

pFriem Rum Barrel Aged Porter with Coconut, pFriem Family Brewers
Description 

We age our Imperial Porter in barrels kissed by the Caribbean, giving pFriem’s Rum Barrel Aged Porter notes of chocolate truffles, ripe cherries and vanilla. Drink in the luscious decadence.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
9.5%
IBUs: 
45
Served at: 
45 - 50ºF
Malts: 
Rahr Pale, Simpson’s Caramalt, Crystal Dark, Crystal Extra Dark, Thomas Fawcett Pale Chocolate, Chocolate, Carafa II
Hops: 
Chinook

 

 


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Judges Rating:
91
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

pFriem Rum Barrel-Aged Porter with Coconut by pFriem Family Brewers is being judged as a Specialty Wood-Aged Beer (category 33B) with the base beer as a Baltic Porter (category 9C) per the 2021 BJCP Guidelines.

This beer pours a very dark brown and is opaque even when held up to the light... Read More

Lucky U IPA

Lucky U IPA
Judges Rating:
81
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
19 / 24
Flavor:
31 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
15 / 20

This Nitro IPA pours a deep gold color with a slightly hazy clarity.  A beautiful creamy, mousse-like white head is everlasting and persists during the entire beer leaving a lovely lacing on the glass.  The aroma has a low malt character that is sublime and general at first but has hints of... Read More

Luau Krunkles

Luau Krunkles by Terrapin Beer Co.
Judges Rating:
95
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Luau Krunkles by Terrapin Beer Company is being evaluated as a Fruit Beer (Category 29A) with a base style of an American IPA (Category 21A) from the 2015 BJCP guidelines.

This beer pours a deep gold color with hazy clarity and a white head which is fleeting, but leaves a white-colored... Read More

Aspall Imperial English Cider

Aspall Imperial English Cider

United Kingdom
Aspall Imperial English Cider, Aspall Cyder House
Description 

Traditional bittersweet cyder-apple aroma with floral notes and dried fruit. Palate rich, quite sweet and full bodied, with a balancing refreshing acidity. A unique and very complex flavour reminiscent of Christmas cake. Very long on the finish, sweetish but not cloying. The connoisseur’s choice to partner big flavoured food. Ideal with duck in a plum sauce, cheese, and north African cuisine; also good with desserts which are not too sweet.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
8.2%

 

 


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Judges Rating:
90
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Aspall Imperial English Cider by Aspall Cider House is being evaluated as an English Cider (Category C1B in the 2015 BJCP Guidelines).  Though labeled as “imperial”, the declared 8% ABV still falls within the guidelines of the style.

This cider pours a dark gold color with brilliant... Read More

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