Tucked away from the big city hubbub just north of the San Francisco Bay Area, Fort Bragg’s North Coast Brewing Company is a heavy hitter, perennially turning out a range of superb beers, including Old Rasputin Imperial Stout. Dominated by stingingly sharp espresso notes, the aroma also provides... Read More
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BC Review
The Expert Panel
The Beer Connoisseur® review was conducted as a round table single blind review by our panel of expert judges. Four to six judges reviewed 8-14 beers per session and submitted their individual scores and notes. The scores were averaged into a single score and notes compiled and summarized for publishing in magazine issues 1-14. These reviews have been republished here in this online format.
The names and biographies of the contributing judges were publsihed with each magazine issue and are listed below.
Charlie Gow - Founding Beer Review Coordinator (1960 - 2014)
Tim Artz
Tom Cannon
Phil Farrell
Pete Garofalo
Rick Garvin
Lee Anthony Hitchins
Owen Ogletree
My reviews
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
15 / 20
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Deep, dark, and punishingly intense, this is yet another exemplary beer from the folks at Bear Republic. This beer has a rich, saturated black color that seems to absorb light, with a rocky, light brown head providing a nice visual counterpoint. The aroma is punctuated with strong notes of... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
18 / 24
Flavor:
29 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
15 / 20
A spice-driven 8.0 percent ABV brew, Weyerbacher Brewing Company’s Imperial Pumpkin Ale seethes with caramel, clove and cinnamon, but only the occasional hint of pumpkin. This beer’s aroma pummels the senses with wave after wave of nutmeg, cinnamon, and even traces of fresh ginger. Rick... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Producing a small range of beguilingly complex beers, Urthel’s brew master Hildegard van Ostaden recently introduced Saisonnière, which falls somewhere between saison and golden ale. Showcasing the brewer’s finesse, the aroma is a nuanced blend of faintly crackery Pils malt, fruity esters,... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20
Kentucky’s popular Altbier, modeled after the North German Altbier style, boasts a grain bill featuring Munich, wheat, caramel and chocolate malts. Another notably clear beer judged by our tasting panel, Bluegrass Brewing’s eye-friendly entry displays a copper shade with amber hues – a color on... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20
Generally known for the blockbuster, high-octane brews (Scaldis, Scaldis Noel), Brasserie Duboisson entered the fruit-flavored beer market just under five years ago. Of course, the brewers stayed true to their roots, and the result, Pêche Mel’Scaldis, clocks in at an impressive 8.5 percent ABV... Read More