This beer poured with almost no head, which then died to nothing immediately making this a very low-carbonation beer. This sample definitely seemed past its prime. The aroma was pleasant with big bubblegum and banana blended with soft wheat malt. The smooth wheat malt flavor has hints of... Read More
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Susan Ruud
Beer Judge
Susan Ruud is a Grand Master IV BJCP judge and holds a mead certification. She has been judging and making beer, mead and cider since 1996 and assisted in creating the Mead judge exam for the BJCP and was the assistant exam director from 2006 to 2013. Susan was on the American Homebrewers Association Governing Committee from 2000 to 2017 and has held the office of secretary for this organization for many years. She has been a judge for the Great American Beer Festival since 2000.
Susan is married with two children and three grandchildren and works at North Dakota State University doing agricultural research in potatoes and canola. She has been there since 1990 and hopes to retire in the next year or so to work full time at the Meadery her husband and her have opened, Prairie Rose Meadery.
My reviews
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
18 / 24
Flavor:
33 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
This beer was judged as a Flanders Red Ale BJCP 2015 Category 23B. It initially poured as a beautiful red color, clear and leaving a picturesque white lacing around the glass. The visuals alone made me want to take a sip. The aroma was very pleasant giving Belgian phenolics and citrus, pear... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
pFriem Belgian-Style Blonde Ale by pFriem Family Brewers was judged as BJCP Category 25a - Belgian Blonde Ale. It was beautiful at presentation with a bright golden color and a huge white head with just a very slight haze. The aroma coming off of the beer was a wonderful spicy hop blended with... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
A very nice version of the style that pours a lovely amber, copper color with a huge cream-colored head and fine bubbles that last forever. There is a big citrusy floral hop aroma with hints of toasty caramel malts and pleasant pear and apricot-like fermentation esters that all follow through ... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Hints of toasty, melanoidin malt blended with spicy hops in both the aroma and flavor. The finish had plenty of bittering hops that lingered forever, leaving a slightly harsh finish. This was a beautiful beer, reddish-brown in color with a nice, creamy head. A wonderful beer to enjoy with... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
This beer was judged as an American Pale Ale - BJCP 2015 Category 18B. The color was a beautiful deep golden color with rays of amber throughout with a white head that was long-lasting and quite clear. There was a huge upfront aroma of citrus and tropical hops blended with a soft grainy malt... Read More