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Scott Birdwell

Scott Birdwell's picture
Beer Judge

Scott became interested in quality beer while traveling Europe in the summer of 1977, discovering the beer in Great Britain, Germany & Czechoslovakia. After seeing some homebrewing supplies in shop windows in the U.K., his interest was piqued. When he returned back to Houston he stopped by DeFalco’s, bought some supplies and equipment and made his first batch of beer. It wasn’t great, but it was drinkable! 

When he returned to DeFalco’s to purchase his second set of ingredients, he was offered a part-time job there. Scott jumped at the opportunity! After purchasing the business in 1980, forty-one years after he first set foot in the door, Scott is still there!

Scott helped organize the Foam Rangers in January 1981 and the first Dixie Cup Homebrew Competition in 1984. When the BJCP was formed in 1985 as a joint venture of the American Homebrewers Association and the Home Wine & Beer Trade Association, Scott became an early participant. He became the program’s first Master Judge in the summer of 1988, by virtue of scoring over 90 points on the exam and accumulating the requisite 40 experience points. He administered several exams in the Houston area in the late 80s/early 90s including the first exam in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area around that time.

Scott has served several offices in the Home Wine & Beer Trade Association, including treasurer, vice-president and president. He also served for several years on the initial Board of Advisors to the AHA in the early 90s. Scott has been awarded the Instone Trophy Recognition Award for the HWBTA in 1996 as well as the AHA Governing Committee Recognition Award in 2001, but perhaps his real claim to fame is having a 240-barrel bright beer tank named after him at St. Arnold’s Brewing Co.!

My reviews

Signature

Signature

Signature, Nine Pin Cider
Description 

Signature is our flagship product using a blend of apples from Samascott Orchards. It is an off dry sparkling cider with a crisp, bold, and refreshing taste.

Beverage Profile
Served at: 
36º F

 

 


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Judges Rating:
97
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
39 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

Signature by Nine Pin Ciderworks was judged as a New World Sparkling Apple Cider, BJCP style C1A per the 2021 Guidelines.

In a word, this is delicious! Weighing in at 6.7% alcohol by volume, it does pack a bit of a punch while not venturing into the vicinity of a borderline apple “wine.”... Read More

Blackberry Smoke Lager

Blackberry Smoke Lager

Blackberry Smoke Lager, New Realm Brewing
Description 

It's not very often that worlds collide as in the case of this special collaboration lager. Atlanta's own southern rock legends Blackberry Smoke got together with the award-winning brew crew at New Realm and the rest is history. Gold at GABF 2022 and Bronze at World Beer Cup 2023.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
4.5%
Hops: 
Hallertau, Hersbrucker, Lemondrop

 

 


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Judges Rating:
94
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

Blackberry Smoke Lager by New Realm Brewing was reviewed as a BJCP style 1B, American Lager, per the 2021 Guidelines.

For beer geeks, even those of us that quietly sneak a few of these from time to time, the expectations are not high for American Lagers. It’s hot and I want something to... Read More

Alpha Abstraction Vol. 24

Alpha Abstraction Vol. 24

Alpha Abstraction Vol. 24, Wild Leap Brew Co.
Description 

Juicy, double dry-hopped IPA with HBC 586 hops. This is the twenty-fourth edition of the series, with a varied hop profile each volume.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
8.0%
IBUs: 
44
Hops: 
HBC 586

 

 


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Judges Rating:
92
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Alpha Abstraction Vol. 24 by Wild Leap Brew Co. was judged as a BJCP Style 22A, Double IPA. The Alpha Abstraction series features a different variety of hop in every iteration. Personally, this concept appeals to me as it proves to be very educational for us lupulin lovers. This particular... Read More

Quince

Quince

New York
USA
Quince, Nine Pin Cider
Description 

This cider is crafted from 100% quince from Orchard Dale Fruit in Waterport, NY. The result is a light bodied, refreshing cider that has notes of pineapple and bubblegum and a beautiful golden hue.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
6.2
Served at: 
36º F

 

 


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Judges Rating:
95
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

This cider was judged as a New World Cider, Category C1A per the 2015 BJCP Cider Guidelines.

Nine Pin describes their quince cider as an off-dry sparkling cider with 6.2% ABV. It pours a pale straw hue into the glass, with a slight haze (it is bottle-conditioned). I’m not going to get... Read More

Easternmost Double IPA

Easternmost Double IPA

Easternmost Double IPA, Batson River Brewing & Distilling
Description 

Our signature NEIPA blends a foundation of Pilsner malt with oats & wheat to create a pillowy soft mouthfeel. The dominant Citra & Galaxy hop profile is the result of liberal double dry-hopping which creates a wealth of citrusy goodness, complemented by luscious tropical notes sure to please any palate.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
7.0%
Malts: 
Pilsner, Oats, Wheat
Hops: 
Citra, Galaxy

 

 


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Judges Rating:
94
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

Easternmost Double IPA by Batson River Brewing & Distilling was judged as a Double IPA, Style 22A per the 2021 BJCP Guidelines.

Full disclosure: I am not a big fan of hazy IPAs, DNEIPA’s, hazy pale ales, etc. But, I wanted to approach this with as few preconceptions as possible, and I... Read More

Cryoscape Cold IPA

Cryoscape Cold IPA

Cryoscape Cold IPA, Batson River Brewing & Distilling
Description 

Through cold fermentation, we extract robust hop flavors while maintaining a refreshingly clean, crisp body. The use of Mosaic & El Dorado cryo hops imparts a delightful tropical
bouquet, free from overpowering hop residue. The result is an IPA bursting with pure, uninhibited flavor.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
5.8%
Hops: 
Cryo Mosaic, Cryo El Dorado

 

 


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Judges Rating:
92
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

Cryoscape Cold IPA by Batson River Brewing & Distilling was judged as style 21B, Specialty IPA, per the 2021 BJCP Style Guidelines.

Batson River Brewing’s Cryoscape Cold IPA is a 5.8% ABV cold IPA. The beer pours slightly hazy in the glass (clarity is often overrated!), and the hop... Read More

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