pFriem Canadian Lager by pFriem Family Brewers is an exceptional example of the BJCP Category 2A International Pale Lager as per the 2021 BJCP style guidelines. Canadian lagers have typically been distinctive when compared to their American cousins due to a brighter, crisper and cleaner... Read More
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Joseph Formanek
Beer Judge
Joe Formanek started homebrewing in 1987 as an undergraduate in Microbiology at the University of Minnesota. He was bitten by the brewing bug after taking a tour of Summit Brewing Company within a year after they had opened in St. Paul in 1987, and he has been going ever since. Joe later went to Graduate School at the University of Illinois and helped found the Boneyard Union of Zymurgical Zealots (BUZZ) Homebrew Club. He currently resides in Bolingbrook, IL, is a Director for a food ingredient company in Itasca, IL, and is a proud member of the Urban Knaves of Grain Homebrew Club. Joe holds a National Judge ranking with the BJCP, and is a previous Midwest Regional Rep and Vice President of the organization.
Over the years, Joe has received many honors related to homebrewing. He has won numerous BOS awards at local and regional competitions, is a 6 time winner of the Midwest Homebrewer of the Year award (1999, 2001-2004, 2007) and won the American Homebrewers Association Meadmaker of the Year award in 2004. Joe is a 2 time winner of the American Homebrewers Association Ninkasi Award (2000, 2006) for winningest brewer in the final round of judging, and was honored as being named one of the two homebrewer winners of the 2011 Sam Adams Longshot American Homebrewing Competition with his Russian Imperial Stout, which was distributed nationally in the 2012 Longshot multipack.
My reviews
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
24 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
Prairie's Coffee Okie is a complex, barrel-aged spiced Imperial Brown Ale. This deep brown-colored brew with a rather quickly dissipating white head has a huge roasted coffee aroma with moderate levels of raisin, whiskey, chocolate and oak character. Very appetizing!
The first sip... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Clausthaler IPA by Radeberger is being evaluated per the 2021 BJCP Guidelines as a Category 21C, Hazy IPA, though this is a non-alcoholic example. Clausthauer IPA is an example of a “new wave” of non-alcoholic beers, taking its cue from a more modern popular craft beer... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
Insurrection by Fulton is being evaluated as a Double IPA (Category 22A) from the 2015 BJCP guidelines. Having just judged this category in the Chicago region of the 2017 AHA 1st round Nationals the previous weekend, I felt that my palate would be prepared for the hoppy onslaught of this beer. ... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Upslope Craft Lager by Upslope Brewing Co. is a refreshing American lager that, when cold, is a quite delicious treat, but when it warms, there are a few issues noted. This beer is being evaluated as a Category 1B American Lager as per the 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines.
A light Saaz hop... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
24 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Double Barreled Maple Stout by Avery Brewing Co. is a monster of a brew, weighing in at over 15 percent ABV. While there is a lot going for this extremely complex concoction, there is a bit of an issue with sweetness, as is seen many times in a huge Imperial Stout type such as this. This beer is... Read More