Brimming with brash notes of cardamom, allspice, and ripe banana, Local 1 is yet another monster brew from Garrett Oliver and the folks at Brooklyn Brewery. Brewed in the Belgian strong ale style, Local 1 packs a whopping 9 percent ABV, derived from classic European malts and a judicious dose... 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:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Brewed since 1862, Chimay Première is the flagship beer of the Trappist monks of Abbaye Notre Dame de Scourmont in Chimay, Belgium and is quite likely the most widely recognized Trappist beer in the world today. Emanating waves of turbinado sugar, Tahitian vanilla, and rum, Chimay Première’s... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
27 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
15 / 20
A respectable venture into the classic Irish Red Ale style, Thomas Creek’s version shines with an attractive red/orange color and a moderate ivory head. Excellent clarity also shows through. Wisps of biscuit, woody English-style hops, fruity notes, toffee, bread crust and caramel make up the... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
19 / 24
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
15 / 20
This slightly hazy, light golden ale pours with a lofty stand of snow-white foam that seems to dissipate rather quickly. Very light fruity esters, reminiscent of lemon meringue pie and earthy papaya, stand out in the sweet nose, while similar flavors of sugary, earthy, pale malt and melon-like... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
More widely known for crisp, refreshing lagers, tropical climes also host a number of breweries producing substantial ales, notably Foreign Extra Stout. Lion Brewery Ceylon, headquartered in Sri Lanka, produces the widely acclaimed Lion Stout, which packs a respectable 8/8% ABV. Rife with lush... Read More
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
18 / 24
Flavor:
33 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
15 / 20
In the shadow of the famed San Francisco Bay Bridge, 21st Amendment Brewery is known for producing solid and occasionally eccentric beers for a rapidly growing market. Since 2000, Nico Freccia and Shaun O’Sullivan have been bringing characterful beer to the Bay Area and are now sharing the... Read More