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Brian started diving into the world of craft beer in 2004, tracking all of the beers he tasted online, with notes. He picked up homebrewing in 2008 and began judging in 2010. Taking pride in the opportunity to give feedback to brewers of all sorts, he has progressed through the BJCP, attaining the rank of Master in 2013. He formerly acted as an Associate Exam Director for the BJCP, as well as an exam administrator and proctor, and presently holds the rank of Grand Master IV, as well as Mead judge. To him, the most important aspect of judging is to know your limits and learn how to recognize them and expand them. To achieve that end, Brian has judged in over 100 competitions in 12 states and counting, including the Great American Beer Festival, and visits innumerable breweries. He also helps organize a few competitions each year, including the role of judge coordinator for the Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beer (which you may know as FoBAB), the largest of its kind in the world.
Beyond Resin by Upland Brewing Co. was judged as a 21a American IPA.
This beer pours mostly clear with a light haze. Deeply golden with a persistent white head that's very attractive. The aroma initially is intensely hop forward, showing guava and mango, followed by some durian and onion... Read More
pFriem+Alesong by pFriem Family Brewers is being judged as a 33B Specialty Wood-Aged Beer, as it is an experimental beer modeled after the famed "old fashioned" cocktail – aged in Bourbon Barrels with aromatic bitters and citrus zest. I'll leave it at that, as I don't believe the "underlying... Read More
Letiche's Bite by Low Road Brewing was evaluated as a 28C Wild Specialty Beer.
The beer pours faintly hazy with a quickly collapsing white fizzy head, not unlike an Italian soda. On the nose, it is fairly restrained, with some light berry notes and clean lactic hits as well. On the late... Read More
Gin Joy Ale by Right Brain Brewery is a vanilla cream ale that's been aged in a gin barrel. I'm judging this as a 33b-Specialty Wood-Aged Beer. In the glass, it's a very clear pale gold with a persistent white head. The nose is immediately gin botanicals. Very floral and pleasant, with a citrus... Read More
Broyhan by Seedstock Brewery is being judged based on independent research of the style as a category 27 Historical Beer.
Broyhan is a beer that falls within the Northern European wheat beer tradition, which includes witbier & gose and, historically, appears it may have been wheat... Read More
2021 New Year Cuvée by pFriem Family Brewers is being judged as a 33B Specialty Wood-Aged Beer, as a strong stout with toasted coconut and vanilla. In the glass, the beer is definitely a bit less black than anticipated, but that's just the appearance. Pours clear with a thin off-white head. The... Read More
