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David Sapsis

David Sapsis's picture
Beer & Cider Judge

Dave has been brewing beer since 1983 and judging since 1985. He holds the BJCP rank of Grand Master II, and has served in the program as Exam Assistant Director, Exam Director, and Western Representative on the BJCP Board of Directors.  Early in his brewing, while at the University of California pursuing a degree in Forestry, he met a young woman who worked in a world-class yeast lab (the Professor of the lab recently won a Nobel Prize), who helped him build a diverse yeast bank. He married her.  

In addition to brewing beers regularly and evaluating beers wherever he goes, Dave likes to cook and dabbles in charcuterie and motorcycle racing. In his day job, he works as a wildland fire scientist for the State of California.

 

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My reviews

Coconut Contender

Coconut Contender, Duck Foot Brewing Co.
Judges Rating:
85
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
19 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Coconut Contender by Duck Foot Brewing Co. was judged as BJCP category 29A, Fruit Beer.

The beer casts a deep gold color estimated at 6 SRM, throwing a slight haze. A thick and creamy off-white foam exhibits great stand and lacing. Low outgassing is visible through the column.

The... Read More

Synopsis Red Fruits

Synopsis Red Fruits

Connecticut
United States
Synopsis Red Fruits, Area Two Experimental Brewing
Description 

This mix fermented brew uses wild and cultured yeast strains and age on wood to deliver subtle funk notes while abundant amounts of fruit create a provocative and refreshingly tart beer. Red Fruits deliver a tart, enjoyable pucker thanks to red currant, raspberry and cranberry.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
6.4%

 

 


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Judges Rating:
90
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Synopsis Red Fruits by Area Two Experimental Brewing was judged as BJCP category 28C -- Wild Specialty Beer (with fruit). The beer is presented to me in a stange glass, filled high, at 44 degrees Fahrenheit. The red-amber color is full blush, and shows some haze along with a modest foam stand... Read More

Wickson Crabapple

Wickson Crabapple

Colorado
United States
Wickson Crabapple, Snow Capped Cider
Description 

100% Wickson crabapple grown at 6,130 ft in our Colorado Orchards. Wickson brings a wild character and extraordinarily high sugar content with razor sharp acid levels. We have Reinvented this scrappy little pollinator with purposeful balance. Elegant and fanciful, Wickson fills the pallet with luscious sweet notes of kiwi and honeydew building dimensional acid warmth and a lingering finish.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
8.4%
Served at: 
Chilled

 

 


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Judges Rating:
93
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

Wickson Crabapple by Snow Capped Cider is being judged according to BJCP category C1A, New World Ciders. These ciders are usually made with table-culinary apples, sometimes blended with bittersharp and/or tannic varieties/crabapples to provide acid, tannins and diverse, complex flavors. 

... Read More

Stone Buenavida Hard Seltzer - Black Cherry

Stone Buenavida Hard Seltzer - Black Cherry

California
United States
Stone Buenavida Hard Seltzer - Black Cherry, Stone Brewing
Description 

Intense black cherry bursting with refreshing fruitiness. In our quest to enable our brewers to push the boundaries of what’s possible, we took on the challenge of creating a line of hard seltzers that were so good - or rather, Buena - we simply had to show them off to the world. Buenavida Hard Seltzers, in their custom-molded glass bottles, are 100 calories, sugar-free and gluten-free.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
5.0

 

 


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Judges Rating:
88
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Stone Buenavida Hard Seltzer - Black Cherry by Stone Brewing Co. is being judged as a fruited seltzer with black cherry against the 2022 Beer Connoisseur Seltzer Guidelines, available online here.

The seltzer presents brilliantly clear with moderate outgassing. The aroma is bright with... Read More

RPM IPA

RPM IPA vy Boneyard Beer
Judges Rating:
90
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Beer judged as BJCP category 21A, American IPA. Served at 45 degrees F.

The beer is presented in a pint shaker after a full and vigorous pour. Light amber in color, and brilliant in clarity, the beer carries  a two-inch fine frothy foam with great stand characteristics that last for the... Read More

602 Brew

602 Brew, Helio Basin Brewing Co.
Judges Rating:
91
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

602 Brew by Helio Basin Brewing Co. was judged as BJCP Category 18A, Blonde Ale and served in a kolsch stange glass at 46o F.

The beers pours a brilliant, glistening gold, with stark clarity; a nice, thick, foamy whitecap forms of mixed-size bubbles but shows only modest stand.  A lovely... Read More

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