The beer itself pours a beautiful copper-orange with exceptional clarity and a bright white head. The aroma is a mélange of classic “C” type American hops, blending into a combination of woody, weedy, and citric components. The flavor is a rustic blend of toasty/cookie-like malt combined with an... 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:
20 / 24
Flavor:
33 / 40
Mouthfeel:
6 / 10
Overall Impression:
15 / 20
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
18 / 24
Flavor:
30 / 40
Mouthfeel:
6 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20
Delaware-based Dogfish Head Brewing Company and inimitable owner Sam Calagione continue to produce a world renowned lineup of quirky brews. Midas Touch, the first in Dogfish Head’s Ancient Ales series, is based on a recipe that is a millennia old, boasting aromas of honey, fragrant saffron, and... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Our lone Michigan entry in this issue’s tasting, Red’s Rye PA, presented itself very nicely amid a sea of heavy contenders. Known for their sometimes quirky take on classic beer styles, Founders has developed a devoted following wherever their beers are found. Red’s certainly deserves its... Read More
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
Yet another amazing brewery from “The Class of ’96,” Paso Robles-based Firestone Walker Brewing Company has built a reputation for decidedly hop-centric ales of exceptional character. Dry hopped with three different varieties, Firestone Walker Pale 31’s aroma abounds with fistfuls of pine forest... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
For such a hefty beer, Malheur 12 is surprisingly quaffable and should be approached with more than a modicum of restraint and caution. As a “Quadrupel,” this beer falls loosely within the Belgian dark strong ale style and is dominated by alcohol, chewy malt and spices. The nose swirls with... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Seattle’s Dick Cantwell has been a mainstay on the brewing scene for more than two decades and opened his own operation, Elysian Brewing, in 1996. Since then, Elysian has earned its avid following, producing wickedly good ales, and the occasional lager. The seasonal Dark O’ The Moon is a lightly... Read More