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David Sapsis

David Sapsis's picture
Beer & Cider Judge

Dave has been brewing beer since 1983 and judging since 1985. He holds the BJCP rank of Grand Master II, and has served in the program as Exam Assistant Director, Exam Director, and Western Representative on the BJCP Board of Directors.  Early in his brewing, while at the University of California pursuing a degree in Forestry, he met a young woman who worked in a world-class yeast lab (the Professor of the lab recently won a Nobel Prize), who helped him build a diverse yeast bank. He married her.  

In addition to brewing beers regularly and evaluating beers wherever he goes, Dave likes to cook and dabbles in charcuterie and motorcycle racing. In his day job, he works as a wildland fire scientist for the State of California.

 

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My reviews

Stone Buenavida Hard Seltzer - Mango

Stone Buenavida Hard Seltzer - Mango

California
United States
Stone Buenavida Hard Seltzer - Mango, Stone Brewing
Description 

Heady, tropical mango transports you directly to island time. In our quest to enable our brewers to push the boundaries of what’s possible, we took on the challenge of creating a line of hard seltzers that were so good - or rather, Buena - we simply had to show them off to the world. Buenavida Hard Seltzers, in their custom-molded glass bottles, are 100 calories, sugar-free and gluten-free.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
5.0%

 

 


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Judges Rating:
88
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Stone Buenavida Hard Seltzer - Mango by Stone Brewing Co. is being judged as a fruited seltzer with mango flavoring against the 2022 Beer Connoisseur Seltzer Guidelines for fruit seltzers.

The seltzer is presented to me at 42 degrees Fahrenheit in a kölsch stange, a narrow tube-shaped... Read More

Phantom Bride IPA

Phantom Bride IPA by Belching Beaver Brewery
Judges Rating:
91
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

This beer was judged as BJCP category 21.A (American IPA) and served at 45 degrees F.

The beer comes to me in a nonic imperial pint after a robust pour: the beer is medium gold in color (~5 SRM) with a distinct haze. The foam is a thick off-white of mixed bubbles exhibiting excellent... Read More

Judges Rating:
84
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
19 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Breckenridge Biere de Garde by Breckenridge Brewery​ is being judged as BJCP category 24C, Biere de Garde.

It comes served in a narrow-tapered glass, and the color is a deep orange/polished copper and both clarity and foam are fantastic. The beer is evidently highly conditioned as the ... Read More

Lightpoint

Lightpoint

Michigan
United States
Lightpoint by New Holland Brewing Co.
Description 

Lightpoint is a Functional White Ale that offers a low-calorie option without compromising full craft flavor. Brewed with Coconut Water, Raw Honey and Orange Peel, this refreshing brew is best enjoyed with friends after a day of hard work and exercise.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
3.7%
Served at: 
40 - 45º F

 

 


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Judges Rating:
91
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Lightpoint by New Holland Brewing Co. is billed as a "Functional White Ale" and was judged against BJCP category 24A, Witbier, a fantastic style of Belgian wheat beer typically exhibiting wheat character, aromatic perfuminess and spicing from coriander and dried orange peel -- often both bitter... Read More

pFriem Bourbon Barrel Aged Barleywine

pFriem Bourbon Barrel Aged Barleywine

pFriem Bourbon Barrel Aged Barleywine, pFriem Family Brewers
Description 

Bourbon Barleywine is spicy and a bit surly, a beautifully big sipper with soft hits of caramel, baking spice and oak. Spicy and impetuous now, with years of aging, this big brew will mellow with transcendent complexity and luscious mouthfeel.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
11.0%
IBUs: 
33
Served at: 
45º - 50º F
Malts: 
Simpson’s Golden Promise, Carafa II, Demerara sugar
Hops: 
Chinook, Cascade

 

 


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Judges Rating:
86
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

pFriem Bourbon Barrel Aged Barleywine by pFriem Family Brewers is being judged under the guidance of BJCP category 33B, Specialty Wood-Aged Beer, where distinct alcohol and barrel character are expected to carry over to the finished beer.  In this case, the underlying style is barleywine, an... Read More

Stone 26th Anniversary Imperial IPA

Stone 26th Anniversary Imperial IPA

California
United States
Stone 26th Anniversary Imperial IPA, Stone Brewing
Description 

25 years ago we celebrated the 1st Anniversary of our fledgling brewery with a beer that was far away from the craft beer norms at the time. It was far too intense. It was far too hoppy and bitter. Yet it became the shot heard ‘round the world, and beer history was changed forever. We’re talking of course about our flagship Stone IPA. So, to celebrate the beer that (eventually) launched generations of hop fanatics, we present this imperial version of the beer that made our name among the (budding) craft beer legions. Loaded with gloriously bitter notes of piney, citrusy, resinous dankness, it’s everything we love about our classic West Coast style IPA…properly turned up to celebrate 26 years.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
9.7%
IBUs: 
80
Hops: 
Centennial

 

 


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Judges Rating:
82
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
18 / 24
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

Stone 26th Anniversary Imperial IPA by Stone Brewing is being judged as a Double IPA, in accordance with the 2021 BJCP Style Guidelines, category 22A.  The beer is served in a kölsch stange at 48oF, after a vigorous pour. The beer casts a deep gold color with some noticeable haze, while... Read More

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