A classic example of the style, Full Sail Amber ale is arguably the American Amber Ale's style archetype, garnering countless awards since it first came to market more than 20 years ago. Full Sail's flagship pours a deep, burnished copper with flashes of chestnut highlights. Aromas of freshly... Read More
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BC Review
The Expert Panel
The Beer Connoisseur® review was conducted as a round table single blind review by our panel of expert judges. Four to six judges reviewed 8-14 beers per session and submitted their individual scores and notes. The scores were averaged into a single score and notes compiled and summarized for publishing in magazine issues 1-14. These reviews have been republished here in this online format.
The names and biographies of the contributing judges were publsihed with each magazine issue and are listed below.
Charlie Gow - Founding Beer Review Coordinator (1960 - 2014)
Tim Artz
Tom Cannon
Phil Farrell
Pete Garofalo
Rick Garvin
Lee Anthony Hitchins
Owen Ogletree
My reviews
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
St. Feuillien Grand Cru features a massive, distinctively tart aroma that rolls from the glass in alternating waves of sour cherry, sherry vinegar, and faintly syrupy malt. Tom enjoyed the “nose tickling acetic acid, balanced by sour berry notes,” but wished for a bit more malt sweetness to... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
39 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
For the better part of a century and a half, the privately held Brauerei Aying has produced amazingly characterful, award-winning beers. Celebrator Doppelbock is just one of a wide range of offerings from this classic Bavarian brewery. Offering teases of black currants and caramel apples in the... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
Home to some of the most idiosyncratic beers in the world, Franconia is rightfully known as the brewing world’s epicenter for rauchbiers, which are noted for the pungently smoky aromas and flavors. Aecht Schlenkerla Eiche, a rauch (smoked) doppelbock from Brauerei Heller-Trum in Bamberg,... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
24 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20
A perennial British brewing powerhouse, Wells & Young’s enjoys worldwide acclaim for their flagship ales. Lesser known than their bitters, yet nonetheless a fine beer, Double Chocolate Stout continues to garner accolades. Flooding the room with a wash of chocolate fudge, espresso and... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
24 / 24
Flavor:
39 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
The second smoked beer in this issue’s lineup, Alaskan Brewing’s Smoked Porter more than holds its own when compared to the venerable Franconian entry. Alaskan Brewing is widely acclaimed for its beer, and this one is arguably the rock star of the lineup. By turns, the aroma displays assertive... Read More