Standard Lager by Fulton is being evaluated as an International Amber Lager (Category 2B) from the 2015 BJCP guidelines. As such, it is expected to be a relatively simple mild beer with a touch of interesting caramel malt character. This beer fits that bill quite well. This is an unassuming, yet... 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:
22 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Cold Press Black by Bent Paddle Brewing Co is a bit of an anachronism. While having the strength of an IPA and comes off similar to a Black IPA, it is actually a Coffee Ale due to the addition of locally-sourced cold pressed coffee. Due to this, this beer is being evaluated as a Category 30A... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Maui Waui IPA by Altamont Beer Works is a quite dank rendition of the BJCP 21A American IPA style, with the hop character being perhaps a bit on the high end of the style. Nonetheless, this is still a well-crafted and enjoyable brew.
Dank hop aromas (Citra, Mosaic) are well noted upon the... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Southbound Brewing Co’s. Loving Cup is an interesting take on the traditional Saison style. This light golden-colored slightly hazy brew with an impressive head exhibits the appearance and the Belgian fermentation character that's expected of the style. A mildly earthy and slightly tart... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Cinnabun Pastry Stout by Garage Brewing Co. is a good example of the dessert style. Though there are a few quibbles, it is a quite deep and complex treat as would be expected for the style. This brew is being evaluated as a 30A Spice, Herb and Vegetable Beer with... Read More
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Upland’s Easy Chair Amber Ale is an example of a subtle, well-balanced brew. However, by having that subtleness and balance, it lacks aroma or flavor characteristics that jump out to allow this brew to stand out amongst its peers. Aroma-wise, this clear, amber-brown brew with a rather fleeting... Read More