I poured this midnight-dark brew quite vigorously, and a dark tan foam cap rose swiftly to the brim of my snifter. It receded quickly, like a beach wave, and left a cola-colored liquid behind. After letting it warm a bit, very pleasant aromas of cacao nibs, burnt toast and dark, roasted coffee... Read More
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Rodney A. Tillinghast
Beer Judge
Rodney Tillinghast has been pursuing the perfect pint after his first sip of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale in a Buffalo tavern in 1988. Since then, he expanded his beer horizons at every opportunity, including homebrewing for the past 25 years, being a BJCP beer judge for 21 years, working commercially as a brewer at Brown’s Brewing Company for a spell, and tasting beer throughout his travels all across the US and abroad. He attained the BJCP rank of National Judge early in 2015.
Rodney presently lives in North Carolina with his “beer widow” wife and two fine sons.
My reviews
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
High River by Platform Beer Co. is being judged as a bourbon-barrel aged stout (Style 33B—Specialty Wood Aged). It poured very dark and very creamy into my glass. The head fell quick -- reminiscent of a good barleywine -- with substantial legs on the sides of the glass. Aromas included subtle... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
15 / 20
Side Bae Double IPA: Cashmere by Wild Leap Brew Co. was judged as a Double India Pale Ale (BJCP 2022 Guidelines Style 22A).
The head aggregated quickly then subsided with some nice lacing as the tasting session progressed. The immediate aromas provided included coconut, papaya, green... Read More
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
30 / 40
Mouthfeel:
6 / 10
Overall Impression:
15 / 20
Session IPAs are all the rage today, and make wonderful additions to many brewery’s lineups, one that marries the joy of American-derived hops with the sensibilities of English session ales.
I poured this forth in my Sam Adams Perfect Pint glass, which provided a heady tangerine and lemon... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Grapefruit and IPA seem to be hanging out together everywhere nowadays. This sample is a 50/50 mix between India Pale Ale and grapefruit juice. The juice addition contributed a zesty aroma, supported by minor grass and floral notes which were hop-derived. As expected, it poured with only a... Read More
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20
Speed Merchant by Platform Beer Co. is a stylistic offshoot from American IPA’s, a White IPA, which typically features a more prominent wheat component, lending to light, hazy appearances (Specialty IPA, 21B). It offered prominent notes of pineapple, mandarin orange and pine, along with a firm... Read More