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Michael Heniff

Michael Heniff's picture
Beer Judge

Mike brewed his first few homebrew batches in college in 1994 and began regularly brewing in 1997.  Since then, he has brewed over 150 batches of beer, mead, and cider.  He has won over 200 medals and numerous major awards in competitions across the country.  His highest accomplishments include winning the Templeton Award (most points) of the Dixie Cup (one of the largest single-site homebrew competitions in the world) a record four times, Gulf Coast Homebrewer of the Year, and Lone Star Circuit Homebrewer of the Year.  He has had his recipes brewed at commercial breweries seven times.

Mike particularly enjoys traveling to find new beers.  He has made numerous travels abroad to find great beer, most frequently to Belgium and Germany.  He has logged over 6800 beers in his tasting journal, including over 620 beers from Belgium alone.  Mike has had brewing and beer travel articles published by Brew Your Own and Zymurgy magazines.

Mike is a current member of the Houston Foam Rangers Homebrew Club where he has held numerous officer positions.  He was also the founding President of the Lone Star Circuit and a former long time officer. He currently ranks as a Grand Master III BJCP judge.  He has judged in over 70 competitions across the United States, frequently serving on Best of Show panels.

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My reviews

Paleo Ale

Fossil Cove Brewing Paleo Ale beer
Judges Rating:
90
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

This American Pale Ale pours a crystal clear, dark golden color with a resilient, off-white head. Featuring Cascade, CTZ and Galena hops, the aroma is moderate citrusy, woodsy, and berry-like in hop aroma with a light nutty, caramel maltiness to complement the hops. The flavor is again... Read More

Sap Stories: Chapter 1

Sap Stories: Chapter 1

Georgia
United States
Sap Stories: Chapter 1, Arches Brewing
Description 

Get pulled into the sappy nostalgia of the style that started a craft revolution. A sturdy British malt base supports the generous helping of Amarillo, Comet, Chinook, and Cascade.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
6.5%
IBUs: 
60
Served at: 
45 - 50ºF
Malts: 
Golden Promise, English Medium Crystal
Hops: 
Zeus, Amarillo, Comet, Chinook, Cascade

 

 


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Judges Rating:
87
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
15 / 20

Sap Stories: Chapter 1 by Arches Brewing is an American IPA and is being evaluated as an American IPA (category 21A from the 2021 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). American IPAs are hop-forward beers typically expressing American or new-world hop characters that are most... Read More

Judges Rating:
91
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Alpha Abstraction Vol. X by Wild Leap Brew Co. is a Double IPA and is being evaluated as a Double IPA (category 22A in the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). The focus of the Double IPA style is hops, hops and more hops. Additionally, despite being a high-alcohol content style, Double IPAs are... Read More

St-Feuillien Saison

St-Feuillien Saison by Brasserie St-Feuillien
Judges Rating:
85
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

St-Feuillien Saison is being evaluated as a Saison (2015 BJCP Cetegory 25B) offering according to the BJCP Style Guidelines.  This style is typically well carbonated, well attenuated with a complex harmony between phenolics, esters, and hops.  Brasserie St-Feuillien is a fifth generation family-... Read More

Fireside Chat

Fireside Chat

California
United States
Fireside Chat, 21st Amendment Brewery
Description 

Fireside Chat is our holiday seasonal beer that’s brewed like a classic strong ale but with a subtle blend of hand-selected spices and cocoa nibs for just the right festive flair. No matter how you celebrate, or where you are, grab a fire and a friend and share the season.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
7.9%
IBUs: 
45
Served at: 
40 - 45º F
Malts: 
Pale Munich Wheat, Crystal De-bittered Black Chocolate Malt
Hops: 
Columbus Hops, US Goldings Hops

 

 


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Judges Rating:
91
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Fireside Chat by 21st Amendment Brewery is a spiced beer and is being evaluated as a Winter Seasonal Beer (category 30C from the 2021 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Winter Seasonal Beers are spiced beers that are suggestive of Christmas or the winter season (such as... Read More

Vlad the Imp Aler

Vlad the Imp Aler

Oregon
United States
Vlad the Imp Aler, Cascade Brewing
Description 

A combination of quad and blond ales aged in bourbon and wine barrels for up to two years with orange peel and coriander, Vlad delivers a fresh acidity and light malt sweetness with notes of bourbon, citrus and spice.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
11.6%
IBUs: 
N/A
Served at: 
40 - 45º F

 

 


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Options start for only $9.95!


Judges Rating:
93
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Vlad the Imp Aler by Cascade Brewing is a blended style sour beer and is being evaluated as a Wild Specialty Beer (category 28C in the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Wild Specialty Beers are sour or funky beers with fruit or spices and are typically aged in wood. Vlad the Imp Aler is a blend... Read More

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