Start 14-Day Trial Subscription
*No credit card required
Brad Darnell
Beer Judge
Brad became interested in the science behind beer while taking a senior elective course, Biochemical Engineering, where the professor spoke of enzymes (among other things) and took the class on a brewery tour. He has since begun home brewing and earned a BJCP Grand Master I rank, currently serving as volunteer exam grader while continuing to judge competitions around the U.S. and educating himself and others. In his spare time Brad visits breweries around the world, always on the hunt for those who produce world-class examples of hard-to-find, obscure or innovative styles.
My articles
Whiskey. Every libation-loving person across the world knows about this wonderful beverage, which refers to a barrel-aged distilled spirit made from...
Cool, crisp air ushers in a new season while the pumpkin and Oktoberfest beers of late summer and fall slowly give way their shelf space and tap...
The dog days of summer linger stubbornly for many of us around the world, while elsewhere the nights begin their gradual transition towards crisp...
My reviews
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Pie Thief by Wren House is a Wheat Whiskey Barrel Aged Pumpkin Wheat Wine and is being evaluated as a Specialty Wood Aged (2015 BJCP Category 33B) offering according to BJCP guidelines. For this style expect variety depending upon the base style and the spirit barrel. The length of time in the... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
Fastback Racer by Bear Republic Brewing Co. is a Double IPA and is being evaluated as a Double IPA (2015 BJCP Category 22A) offering according to BJCP guidelines. For this style, expect intense hops and sufficient supporting malt that stops short of the sweetness of an American Barleywine. While... Read More
Appearance:
3 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Honey Please by Armadillo Ale Works is a Mesquite Bean Blonde Ale with Texas honey and is being evaluated as a Spice, Herb, or Vegetable Beer (2015 BJCP Category 30A) offering according to BJCP guidelines. For this style expect the base beer to remain present while spice, herb, or vegetable... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
39 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
Imperial Peanut Butter Korova Milk Porter by Gnarly Barley Brewing Co. is being judged according to the 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines for Spice, Herb or Vegetable Beer (Style 30A).
My glass arrives with what I originally believe to be a melted peanut butter cup! The peanut butter aroma is as... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Starship Ranger by Grain Theory is being judged according to the 2021 BJCP Style Guidelines, Category 18B – American Pale Ale.
I am presented with a beautiful harvest orange and mostly clear beer that supports a medium-sized eggshell... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Jomax by Wren House is a Coffee Oatmeal Stout and is being evaluated as an Oatmeal Stout (2015 BJCP Category 16B) offering according to the BJCP guidelines. For this style expect a bold, dark malt presence with varying creaminess based on the amount of oats used. While this style typically has... Read More