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Michael Heniff

Michael Heniff's picture
Beer Judge

Mike brewed his first few homebrew batches in college in 1994 and began regularly brewing in 1997.  Since then, he has brewed over 150 batches of beer, mead, and cider.  He has won over 200 medals and numerous major awards in competitions across the country.  His highest accomplishments include winning the Templeton Award (most points) of the Dixie Cup (one of the largest single-site homebrew competitions in the world) a record four times, Gulf Coast Homebrewer of the Year, and Lone Star Circuit Homebrewer of the Year.  He has had his recipes brewed at commercial breweries seven times.

Mike particularly enjoys traveling to find new beers.  He has made numerous travels abroad to find great beer, most frequently to Belgium and Germany.  He has logged over 6800 beers in his tasting journal, including over 620 beers from Belgium alone.  Mike has had brewing and beer travel articles published by Brew Your Own and Zymurgy magazines.

Mike is a current member of the Houston Foam Rangers Homebrew Club where he has held numerous officer positions.  He was also the founding President of the Lone Star Circuit and a former long time officer. He currently ranks as a Grand Master III BJCP judge.  He has judged in over 70 competitions across the United States, frequently serving on Best of Show panels.

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My reviews

KEREL Bière de Garde

KEREL Bière de Garde

KEREL Bière de Garde, Verbeeck-Back-De Cock Brewery
Description 

The brewing process of a “Bière de Garde” (“Beer for keeping”) is an artisanal high-wire act because you’re looking for a brew that’s simultaneously rich and sinewy; clean and earthy; muscular and refreshing. It’s a good thing Kerel has lots of experience combining muscles, beauty and a complex character.

Taste: Very malty, very high-maintenance but irresistible to the true beer connoisseur. Try it for the touch of caramel, stay for the complex character full of delicious paradoxes.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
7.0%

 

 


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Judges Rating:
92
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

KEREL Bière de Garde by Verbeek-Back-De Cock Brewery is a Bière de Garde and is being evaluated as a Bière de Garde (category 24C in the 2021 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Bière de Gardes are a family of malty French lagers that can vary from blonde to brown in color... Read More

Judges Rating:
85
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

Vacanza Coconut Cream Pie by Wild Leap Brew Co. is a fruited Gose and is being evaluated as a Fruit Beer (category 29 in the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). The fruit in Fruit Beers should complement the base style without overwhelming it. Gose beers are highly carbonated, slightly tart wheat... Read More

Judges Rating:
85
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
19 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Pfungstadter Weizen Radler is a canned radler and is being evaluated as a Fruit Beer (2015 BJCP Category 29A) according to the BJCP guidelines. But, the BJCP guidelines do not specifically include radler as a style and none of the BJCP categories are very applicable to this type of beer.... Read More

Full Circle

Full Circle

Michigan
United States
Full Circle, New Holland Brewing Co.
Description 

Full Circle is our take on a tried-and-true German classic; a clean and crisp Kölsch-style ale. This easy-drinking beer brings the consumer’s experience full circle with simple, high-quality ingredients and a balanced flavor. Full Circle is a New Holland legacy brand dating back over 20 years.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
4.4%
IBUs: 
20
Served at: 
40 - 45º F
Malts: 
Pilsner, White Wheat
Hops: 
German Magnum, Mt. Hood

 

 


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Judges Rating:
95
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

Full Circle by New Holland Brewing Co. is a Kölsch and is being evaluated as a Kölsch (category 5B in the 2021 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). The Kölsch style is a German ale that has a delicate balance of malt, hops and esters.

Full Circle pours straw in color,... Read More

Black is Beautiful (Pontoon)

Black is Beautiful (Pontoon)

Black Is Beautiful, Pontoon Brewing
Description 

This beautiful, deep black-hued Imperial Stout came about as a call to action for breweries, big or small, to help spread the message that black is beautiful and that more needs to be done to stop systemic racism in this country. With notes of decadent dark chocolate, smooth caramel, subtle smoke, and medium roasted coffee swirl around on top of a thick malt base. We decided to add graham cracker, coffee from Black and Bold, chocolate, and pecans to make a chocolate lasagna version of Black is Beautiful!

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
10.0%
IBUs: 
20
Served at: 
60º F

 

 


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Judges Rating:
95
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

Black is Beautiful Imperial Stout by Pontoon Brewing is a flavored Imperial Stout and is being evaluated as a Spice, Herb or Vegetable Beer (category 30A in the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Spice, Herb or Vegetable Beers should have a harmonious balance between the spices, herbs or... Read More

Evil Haze Factory

Evil Haze Factory

Colorado
United States
Evil Haze Factory, WeldWerks Brewing Co.
Description 

Double India Pale Ale brewed with a villainous amount of Galaxy, Nelson Sauvin, El Dorado and Lotus hops. All our favorites hops make for a balanced, smooth DIPA exploding with tropical, citrus and stone fruit.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
8.7%
Hops: 
Galaxy, Nelson Sauvin, El Dorado, Lotus

 

 


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Judges Rating:
93
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Evil Haze Factory by WeldWerks Brewing Co. is a New England Double IPA and is being evaluated as a Specialty IPA (category 21B in the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). The focus of the Double IPA style is hops, hops and more hops. Additionally, despite being a high-alcohol content style, Double ... Read More

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