Alpha Abstraction, Vol. 8 by Wild Leap Brew Co. was described as a “Double IPA” and was judged as one (BJCP sub-style 22A). In the glass it formed a medium white head atop a light orange beer with only a slight chill haze. Unlike many hop-bomb Double IPAs that assault the senses with piney... Read More
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Michael McGuire
Beer Judge
Mike started homebrewing in 1983 in Baton Rouge, LA. He subsequently continued brewing when life took him to Grayslake, IL, Lancaster, PA, Vienna, VA, and Raleigh, NC. He was a founding member of the Lancaster County Brewers homebrew club, and later a member of the Brewers United for Real Potables (BURP), Wort Hogs, and Cary, Apex, & Raleigh Brewers of Yore (CARBOY) clubs.
He took the BJCP exam in 2000, became certified in 2002, and achieved National rank in 2005. In addition to judging in many regional and national AHA-sponsored competitions since 2000, he has judged in several state-specific competitions for professional breweries (e.g., the Virginia Craft Beer Cup and the Maryland Governor’s Cup).
My reviews
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Cosmic Pyrokinesis by Mother Earth Brew Co. is a New England IPA and was judged as a Specialty IPA (BJCP sub-style 21B).
It poured golden into the glass with a slight haze, forming a modest white head with moderate retention. Its aroma featured complex fruity hop notes up front,... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
King Cake Sour by Urban South Brewery is described as a “milkshake sour” and was judged as a wild specialty beer (BJCP sub-style 28C). It poured gold and mostly clear into the glass, forming a thick white head with excellent retention.
The aroma initially... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
29 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
15 / 20
This beer poured clear and pale gold with a very thick white head, which was present throughout the taste (as expected of a beer with nitrogenation). The nose was relatively mild, featuring wheat malt primarily. The double-edged sword of serving lighter beer styles on nitrogen is in some ways... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Mystery Ship is a red ale brewed with Brettanomyces yeast (Brett) and dry-hopped. As such, by definition it has both distinctive sour and “funky,” and intensely hoppy, aromas and flavors. It poured brownish-red and hazy into the glass, sporting a thick tan-white head with good retention. The... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Snozzberries Taste Like Snozzberries by Pontoon Brewing is a complex fruit beer and was judged as a Fruit and Spice Beer (BJCP sub-style 29B). It poured bright purple and opaque into the glass, where it formed a moderate lighter purple head with modest retention. An appearance resembling... Read More