Alpha Abstraction Vol. 24 by Wild Leap Brew Co. was judged as a BJCP Style 22A, Double IPA. The Alpha Abstraction series features a different variety of hop in every iteration. Personally, this concept appeals to me as it proves to be very educational for us lupulin lovers. This particular... Read More
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Scott Birdwell
Beer Judge
Scott became interested in quality beer while traveling Europe in the summer of 1977, discovering the beer in Great Britain, Germany & Czechoslovakia. After seeing some homebrewing supplies in shop windows in the U.K., his interest was piqued. When he returned back to Houston he stopped by DeFalco’s, bought some supplies and equipment and made his first batch of beer. It wasn’t great, but it was drinkable!
When he returned to DeFalco’s to purchase his second set of ingredients, he was offered a part-time job there. Scott jumped at the opportunity! After purchasing the business in 1980, forty-one years after he first set foot in the door, Scott is still there!
Scott helped organize the Foam Rangers in January 1981 and the first Dixie Cup Homebrew Competition in 1984. When the BJCP was formed in 1985 as a joint venture of the American Homebrewers Association and the Home Wine & Beer Trade Association, Scott became an early participant. He became the program’s first Master Judge in the summer of 1988, by virtue of scoring over 90 points on the exam and accumulating the requisite 40 experience points. He administered several exams in the Houston area in the late 80s/early 90s including the first exam in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area around that time.
Scott has served several offices in the Home Wine & Beer Trade Association, including treasurer, vice-president and president. He also served for several years on the initial Board of Advisors to the AHA in the early 90s. Scott has been awarded the Instone Trophy Recognition Award for the HWBTA in 1996 as well as the AHA Governing Committee Recognition Award in 2001, but perhaps his real claim to fame is having a 240-barrel bright beer tank named after him at St. Arnold’s Brewing Co.!
My reviews
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
This cider was judged as a New World Cider, Category C1A per the 2015 BJCP Cider Guidelines.
Nine Pin describes their quince cider as an off-dry sparkling cider with 6.2% ABV. It pours a pale straw hue into the glass, with a slight haze (it is bottle-conditioned). I’m not going to get... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
Easternmost Double IPA by Batson River Brewing & Distilling was judged as a Double IPA, Style 22A per the 2021 BJCP Guidelines.
Full disclosure: I am not a big fan of hazy IPAs, DNEIPA’s, hazy pale ales, etc. But, I wanted to approach this with as few preconceptions as possible, and I... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
Cryoscape Cold IPA by Batson River Brewing & Distilling was judged as style 21B, Specialty IPA, per the 2021 BJCP Style Guidelines.
Batson River Brewing’s Cryoscape Cold IPA is a 5.8% ABV cold IPA. The beer pours slightly hazy in the glass (clarity is often overrated!), and the hop... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
39 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
20 / 20
Acadian Skies by Batson River Brewing & Distilling was judged as a Schwarzbier, which is Category 8B per the 2021 BJCP Style Guidelines.
Acadian Skies it’s a very good dark lager, indeed. The beer poursa a virtually opaque dark brown in the glass, bordering on the color of a porter or... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
Dark Woods Barrel-Aged Stout by Batson River Brewing & Distilling was judged as a Specialty Wood-Aged (Style 33B) per the 2021 BJCP Style Guidelines.
Dark Woods Barrel-Aged Stout weighs in at a hefty 9.3% abv. My sample arrived well-cooled, but not cold. It poured very dark brown, and... Read More