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Garrick van Buren
Beer Judge
Garrick is a National Judge as ranked by the BJCP and a Certified Cicerone®. He started training his beer palate and vocabulary in 2012. You can find him in his suburban Minneapolis garage brewing a long-forgotten historical beer style or another medal-winning Belgian-style beer.
My articles
As Mythbusters' ballistics expert, Adam Savage, has said: "Remember kids, the only difference between screwing around and science is writing it down...
My reviews
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
The brilliantly clear amber body and the slowly dissipating ivory head delivers an aroma of biscuits, caramel, toast, and honey. The esters dominant in other Belgian styles are not present here. The flavor is a delicate, complex, well-balanced blend of bread crust, honey and floral hops with... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
14 / 20
The opaque black body of the Lunatic Imperial Stout is crowned with a persistent head of tiny brown bubbles and an inviting aroma of rich dark coffee roast and chocolate oranges. No burnt notes, caramel, or fruity esters in the aroma. When swirled, the legs on the side of the glass betray the 9... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
32 / 40
Mouthfeel:
6 / 10
Overall Impression:
14 / 20
The brilliantly clear gold body and bright white head give off a complex aroma dominated by resiny hops and supported by light caramel, honey, grapefruit, orange, and some light strawberry esters. It has a light water cracker-esque body with hints of caramel and moderate carbonation. The hop... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
This is a full, satisfying Flanders Red. The dark cherry fruitiness and tartness dominates both the aroma and flavor. This fruitiness is well supported by a complex blend of dark chocolate, raisin, vanilla, orange, and caramel. The brilliantly clear amber body has a firm head of beige bubbles... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
14 / 20
This clear, medium-brown beer with a low persistent head of dusty pink bubbles has a huge, enveloping bouquet of freshly harvested raspberries and rich black cherry. The barnyard notes common in the aroma of other lambics are not present here. The complex aroma leads into a light body, low... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
28 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
12 / 20
The persistent, rocky, dusty pink head throws off a huge tart raspberry & strawberry fruity aroma with just a touch of raisin and fig. The brilliantly clear, bright red body with garnet highlights is dominated by a blend of freshly-harvested sweet strawberries, sour tart raspberries laced... Read More