Start 14-Day Trial Subscription

*No credit card required

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.

mh_cert_a0216_grand_master_iii.jpg

 

My reviews

Judges Rating:
88
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
18 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

This fruited Berliner weisse presents as a very hazy, golden beer with a big, fluffy, white head that quickly fades with quite a “crackle and pop”.   The initial aroma is a prominent, off-putting sulfur without much else to be discriminated behind the strong sulfur character.  As the sulfur... Read More

Black Gold

Black Gold

Georgia
United States
Black Gold, Arches Brewing
Description 

Built on a traditional Schwarzbier base, this German dark lager blends light notes of roast and chocolate with floral and spicy hops. A subtle hop profile featuring noble German hops provides just enough bitterness to balance the beer’s signature roast character. While dark in color, Black Gold drinks incredibly light and sessionable.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
5.3
IBUs: 
24
Served at: 
45º F
Hops: 
Perle, Tettnang

 

 


The rating and full judge's review for this product is available only to premium subscribers.

Login / Subscribe

Not yet a subscriber? Visit the store now.
Options start for only $9.95!


Judges Rating:
91
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Black Gold by Arches Brewing is being evaluated as a Schwarzbier (category 8B in the 2021 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Schwarzbiers are black German lagers with prominent roasty malt flavors, smooth mouthfeel and restrained bitterness.

Black Gold pours black in... Read More

Black Raspberry Lambic

Black Raspberry Lambic

Connecticut
United States
Black Raspberry Lambic, Area Two Experimental Brewing
Description 

Aged for almost two years in American and French Oak barrels, this brew is made with over 4 lbs. of European black raspberries per gallon yielding a beautiful, ink-like appearance. It strikes the perfect balance of lambic sourness with dark berry flavors. 6.7% ABV

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
6.7%

 

 


The rating and full judge's review for this product is available only to premium subscribers.

Login / Subscribe

Not yet a subscriber? Visit the store now.
Options start for only $9.95!


Judges Rating:
94
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

Black Raspberry Lambic by Area Two Experimental Brewing is a black raspberry lambic and is being evaluated as a Fruit Lambic (category 23F from the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Lambics are known for their sourness and wild characteristics that are traditionally derived from natural (or “... Read More

Ora et Labora

Ora et Labora by Brunswick Bierworks
Judges Rating:
91
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Ora et Labora New World Doppelbock by Brunswick Bierworks is a Doppelbock brewed with new world hops and is being evaluated as an Experimental Beer (category 34C from the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). 

The Doppelbock style is known for its rich malt character of bready melanoidins... Read More

Where's Bonnie? Belgian Witbier

Where's Bonnie? Belgian Witbier

Washington
United States
Where's Bonnie? Belgian Witbier, Flying Lion Brewing
Description 

A pale, hazy Witbier, crafted from 50% wheat, and well balanced. Flaunting subtle Belgian character and lightly spiced with coriander and orange peel, Witbier pairs best with sunshine and daydreams.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
5.4%
IBUs: 
24
Served at: 
40 - 45º F
Malts: 
Pale, Wheat, Flaked Oats
Hops: 
Perle, Saaz

 

 


The rating and full judge's review for this product is available only to premium subscribers.

Login / Subscribe

Not yet a subscriber? Visit the store now.
Options start for only $9.95!


Judges Rating:
90
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Where's Bonnie? Belgian Witbier by Flying Lion Brewing is a Witbier and is being evaluated as a Witbier (category 24A from the 2021 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Witbiers are Belgian wheat beers that are typically spiced with coriander and orange peel. Witbier is a... Read More

Alpha Abstraction, Vol. 13

Alpha Abstraction, Vol. 13

Georgia
United States
Alpha Abstraction, Vol. 13, Wild Leap Brew Co.
Description 

Thirteenth edition of this juicy, double dry-hopped IPA brewed with Sabro hops creating notes of tropical fruit, herbs, and pine

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
8.0%
IBUs: 
44
Hops: 
Sabro

 

 


The rating and full judge's review for this product is available only to premium subscribers.

Login / Subscribe

Not yet a subscriber? Visit the store now.
Options start for only $9.95!


Judges Rating:
92
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Alpha Abstraction, Vol. 13 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

Pages