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Susan Ruud

Susan Ruud's picture
Beer Judge

Susan Ruud is a Grand Master IV BJCP judge and holds a mead certification.  She has been judging and making beer, mead and cider since 1996 and assisted in creating the Mead judge exam for the BJCP and was the assistant exam director from 2006 to 2013.   Susan was on the American Homebrewers Association Governing Committee from 2000 to 2017 and has held the office of secretary for this organization for many years.  She has been a judge for the Great American Beer Festival since 2000. 

Susan is married with two children and three grandchildren and works at North Dakota State University doing agricultural research in potatoes and canola. She has been there since 1990 and hopes to retire in the next year or so to work full time at the Meadery her husband and her have opened, Prairie Rose Meadery.

 

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My reviews

Johnny's American IPA

Johnny's American IPA Moab Beer
Judges Rating:
94
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

This beer has an enticing aroma of citrus hops and sweet pleasant malt behind with mild pear-like esters leading into pleasant flavors of citrus hopping and lightly toasted sweet malt. A gentle, soft bitterness lingers into the finish. The malt and hops are almost perfectly balanced for the... Read More

No Coast IPA

No Coast IPA by Peace Tree Bering Co.
Judges Rating:
85
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
33 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Peace Tree Brewing Company's No Coast IPA is being reviewed as an American IPA (BJCP Category 21A). This beer poured a medium-gold color with a lovely white head. The aroma was upfront hops of citrus, pine, mango and other tropical notes. It had hints of soft, pleasant maltiness behind. Any... Read More

Punk Ass Cat

Punk Ass Cat, Door County Brewing Co.
Judges Rating:
92
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Punk Ass Cat by Door County Brewing Co. was judged as an American IPA (BJCP Category 21A). This beer was a pleasant balance of malt and lingering bitterness. The upfront citrus and melon hops blended nicely with a faint crackery malt behind. No noticeable esters were found. It was quite hazy but... Read More

Grandpa Tractor

Barley Forge Beer Grandpa Tractor
Judges Rating:
92
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

This beer has a wonderful pale malt aroma with touches of light floral hops and just a hint of DMS for complexity. All of these elements combine and invite you in to take a sip. The flavor was crisp and clean with a gentle lingering hop finish. The malt and bitterness swirl over the palate and... Read More

PDX Pils

PDX Pils by Widmer Brothers Brewing
Judges Rating:
90
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

This is a beautiful pale golden lager (Judged as BJCP Category 5D - German Pils) but was reminiscent of a Czech pilsner but hoppier with a more American twist. It has a huge thick frothy white head that lasted quite some time. The aroma showcased a floral, earthy hop blended with light DMS and a... Read More

Loose Boots

Loose Boots by Roadhouse Brewing Co.
Judges Rating:
90
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Loose Boots by Roadhouse Brewing Co. was judged as an American IPA (BJCP Cat. 21A) and featured a big citrus hop aroma, which was quite lemony with malt aromas hidden behind the hops. No noticeable fermentation esters. It presented itself with a lovely golden hue that was clear with a huge white... Read More

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