A dark brown beer awaits after the pour with a low tan head. The aroma is dark chocolate with a little biscuit, oatmeal and just a hint of vanilla. The flavor has the same aspects as the aroma. The vanilla adds a little complexity, but the finish is drier than expected for this style – possibly... 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:
5 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
18 / 24
Flavor:
30 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20
From opening day in 1990, Breckenridge Brewery has expanded from a single pub in picturesque Breckenridge, Colo., to a regional concern distributing a broad repertoire of uncommon brews. Vanilla Porter is just such a beer, with boat loads of perfumed Tahitian vanilla and luscious English toffee... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
A straight-up, solid interpretation of the style that hails from the hop-drenched environs of Seattle, the Immortal’s pedigree is impeccable. Dick Cantwell’s Elysian Brewing has been pumping out epic beers since they first fired the kettles in 1995 and now has a worldwide cult following.... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Another fine brew in Avery's ever-growing repertoire, this IPA is jam-packed with a profusion of aromas and flavors that all manage to play well together. Known for producing some bruising hop monsters, Avery keeps their IPA true to its stylistic roots and doesn't try to crush your senses. This... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
Boasting a whopping 10.5 percent ABV, Gulden Draak is a seriously hefty brew. Bottle conditioned after using wine yeast for the secondary fermentation, Gulden Draak’s aromas are dominated with notes of caramel, milk chocolate, black currants and alcohol. Rick picked out whiffs of “dark toffee... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
24 / 24
Flavor:
39 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Weighing in at a respectable 11 percent ABV, Cigar City’s Marshal Zhukov’s Imperial Stout is a beer to be treated with respect. Situated in Tampa, Fla., the brewery is a relative newcomer but has quickly established itself as a brewing force to be reckoned with. Marshal Zhukov’s displays the... Read More