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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 Saison

KEREL Saison

Belgium
KEREL Saison, Verbeeck-Back-De Cock Brewery
Description 

Everybody knows that if you want a great summer body, you need to work on it during winter. The same goes for this beer’s complex body of flavors. It is traditionally brewed during winter and savoured during spring / summer. It’s usually very fruity with deep earthy yeast tones and a mild tartness. The VBDCK version has all of that, plus a dry character and medium bitterness perfectly suited to bathing suit season and beyond.

Taste: This easy to love thirst quencher uses different kinds of hops and grains so you’ll discover new aspects of its flavor with every sip or swallow

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
5.5%

 

 


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Judges Rating:
87
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

KEREL Saison by Verbeek-Back-De Cock Brewery is a Saison and is being evaluated as a Saison (category 25B in the 2021 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines).  Saisons are typically well-carbonated and well-attenuated ales with a complex balance between phenolics, esters, and hops... Read More

Swipe Light

Swipe Light

New York
United States
Swipe Light, Southern Tier Brewing Co.
Description 

Swipe Light bridges the gap between craft beer flavor and lower calorie, easier drinking beers. This refreshing ale is perfect for occasions where craft drinkers are looking for lighter options but still want more flavor than other light beers offer. Swipe Light provides both the flavor and drinkability that craft consumers are looking for. At 4% ABV and only 110 calories, it’s lighter than other craft options. But because it’s brewed with a focus on flavor, Swipe Light delivers more complexity for a truly ‘craft’ drinking experience.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
4.0%

 

 


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Judges Rating:
94
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
20 / 20

Swipe Light by Southern Tier Brewing Co. is an American Light Ale and is being evaluated as an American Light Lager (category 1A from the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). American Light Lagers (such as Bud Light, Coors Light, or Miller Lite) are known for their very light malt flavor, no hop... Read More

Humulus Terreux

The Bruery Humulus Terreux beer
Judges Rating:
95
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

The Humulus Terreux series from The Bruery is known for its various use of hops and Brettanomyces strains, and this beer doesn’t miss on either of these two elements. The Brett is immediately apparent in the aroma with characteristic cherry pie and leather elements along with a little barnyard... Read More

Velvet Uppercut

Velvet Uppercut

Washington
United States
Velvet Uppercut, Flying Lion Brewing
Description 

There I was, enjoying the complex blend of fruity esters and subtle spice, ready to have another of this extraordinarily smooth beer when, POW! I got that Velvet Uppercut. To be continued...

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
9.0%
IBUs: 
37
Served at: 
40 - 45º F
Malts: 
Pale, Aromatic, Munich
Hops: 
Perle, Saaz, Styrian Goldings

 

 


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Judges Rating:
94
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

Velvet Uppercut by Flying Lion Brewing is a Belgian Golden Strong and is being evaluated as a Belgian Golden Strong Ale (category 25C from the 2021 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Belgian Golden Strong Ales are noted for their deceptive strength, light color and simple... Read More

Jungle Joy

Brussels Beer Project Jungle Joy, Brussels Beer Project
Judges Rating:
85
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

Jungle Joy by Brussels Beer Project is a fruited Belgian Dubbel 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. Belgian Dubbels are moderately-strong malty beers with... Read More

Evergreen Terrace

Evergreen Terrace

Georgia
United States
Evergreen Terrace, Pontoon Brewing
Description 

This West Coast Double IPA is all that you want in a west coast IPA: punchy, hoppy, piney, citrusy and powerful! We took the Standy By recipe and boosted it to give the Vienna and caramel malt more of a presence that would otherwise be masked by the absurd amount of hops in this beer. With bittering, whirlpool and dry hop additions of Citra, Simcoe and Chinook, you get bold notes of pithy tangerine, noble pine and dank resin. Warning, this beer packs a punch!

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
8.0%
IBUs: 
100
Served at: 
45 - 50ºF
Hops: 
Citra, Simcoe, Chinook

 

 


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Judges Rating:
89
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Evergreen Terrace by Pontoon Brewing is a Double IPA and is being evaluated as a Double IPA (category 22A 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 IPAs are fairly... Read More

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