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Josh Weikert

Josh Weikert's picture
Beer Judge

​Josh Weikert took up homebrewing in 2007 as a means of staying sane during graduate school, and even though school is over, the brewing continues! He is a founding member and past president of the Stoney Creek Homebrewers, has medaled in every BJCP beer style, is a BJCP Grand Master Judge and Certified Cicerone, and is a two-time Eastern Pennsylvania Homebrewer of the Year.  He is also the author of the Beer: Simple blog (beer-simple.com).

Josh is a professor and lecturer in political science, specializing in political communication and political psychology. He lives in Collegeville, PA with his wife, Barbara (also an award-winning brewer), and their dog Biscuit (who has yet to win any medals, but is remarkably happy to watch on brew days).

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My reviews

Hopstate NY 2016

Brewery Ommegang Hopstate NY 2016 beer
Judges Rating:
89
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

This beer pours a clear gold color with a rocky white head, and the aroma has medium-low levels of citrus (lemon, orange) and a touch of pine, with a lot of bread in the background. It also showed a touch of papery oxidation, but I have no problem attributing that to shipment during the dog days... Read More

Quintaceratops

Quintaceratops Brooklyn Beer
Judges Rating:
75
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
18 / 24
Flavor:
30 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
14 / 20

I have no doubt that there were good intentions and sound reasoning behind this beer, and it may find an audience, but I doubt it will work for most people. An overabundance of liquor-like aromas and flavors - and the unavoidable ash-like phenolics - were just a bridge too far for me.

... Read More

Barrel-Aged Dosvidanya

Destihl Brewery Dosvidanya Russian Imperial Stout Beer
Judges Rating:
93
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Bourbon barrels are something of a mixed blessing in beer. When breweries get it right, they add notes that are tough to get from any other source; when they get it wrong, you end up with a woody, alcoholic mess. This one gets it very right.

The beer pours an inky black with a light brown... Read More

Fake Plastic Trees

Birdsong Beer Fake Plastic Trees
Judges Rating:
90
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Breweries seem to struggle with what to name beers these days -- is it an IPA? A pale ale? An American Wheat? In this case, whatever you want to call it, the answer is "a great beer that's an excellent seasonal offering."

This "Hoppy Wheat" beer pours a hazy gold, with a fluffy white head... Read More

Rumpkin

Rumpkin by Avery Brewing Co.
Judges Rating:
89
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Specialty beers often have a high-wire to walk. This one has three (wood aging, high alcohol, and spicing) and does a good job in two areas and a downright outstanding job on the third!  

To begin with, the beer pours orange and a bit hazy: not pretty, but forgivable in a fall beer, and... Read More

Orabelle

Orabelle Great Divide Beer Tripel
Judges Rating:
86
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

Lots of breweries chase that elusive goal: that wonderful, delicate, flavorful, and drinkable Belgian-style Tripel, but most miss to some greater or lesser degree. This is a good beer, but it too doesn't quite hit the mark.

The beer pours a pale gold with a low white head and a slight... Read More

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