Beer Review (Issue 25)

Judging Process
Our reviews are conducted in a single-blind tasting format. This method provides the best opportunity to rely on facts and to avoid favoritism, ensuring a level playing field for all brewers. It serves both the industry and the consumer to have unbiased and objective scores from qualified experts. To best implement this approach, the Judges Review is open to those with established experience as a Master Cicerone® from the Cicerone® Certification Program or as a judge that has accomplished the rank of National or higher from the Beer Judge Certification Program. In the single-blind tasting format, judges are presented with a chilled, properly poured beer and given its style category. Scoring is then done on the following basis using a 100-point scale:

Score Breakdown:
100 to 96: World Class – You need this beer in your life.
95 to 91: Exceptional – Don’t hesitate.
90 to 86: Very Good – A brew to savor.
85 to 75: Average – Somewhat unimpressive.
74 and below: Not Recommended – Just walk away.

Very Good (90 to 86)

90  |  Cosmik Debris, Creature Comforts Brewing Co. by Michael McGuire
90  |  Ocho Barril: Magic Beer Genie, Half Moon Bay Brewing Co. by Randy Scorby
90  |  Perfect Day IPA, Asheville Brewing Co. by Owen Ogletree
90  |  Commotion, Great Raft Brewing Co. by Mike Castagno
90  |  Overdub IPA, Fort George Brewery, by Tracy Hensley
90  |  6 Hop IPA, Rogue Ales & Spirits, by Richard Wong
90  |  Mango Wheat, Anchor Brewing, by Tracy Hensley
90  |  Pale Death, Double Mountain Brewery, by John C. Tull
90  |  Grapefruit King of Hop, Starr Hill Brewery, by Dan Preston
89  |  Off The Leash, Noble Rey Brewing Co. by John C. Tull
89  |  Vortex IPA, Fort George Brewery, by Tracy Hensley
89  |  Omer Blonde, Brouwerij Omer VanderGhinste by Jason Johnson
88  |  Hobo Life, Lord Hobo Brewing Co. by James Link
88  |  The Rites, Orpheus Brewing, by Michael McGuire
88  |  Watermelon Laimas, FATE Brewing Co. by Randy Scorby
88  |  Spring Saison, Blackberry Farm Brewery, by Graham L. Barron
88  |  Raspberry Jam, Tallgrass Brewing Co. by Sal Mortillaro II
88  |  4 Hop IPA, Rogue Ales & Spirits, by Richard Wong
88  |  Ape Snake, Prairie Artisan Ales, by Joseph Formanek
88  |  Rollin' & Tumblin', Southbound Brewing Co. by Michael McGuire
88  |  Prost Altbier, Prost Brewing, by Susan Ruud
88  |  Watermelon Gose, Terrapin Beer Co. by Michael McGuire
87  |  Hop Nosh Tangerine IPA, Uinta Brewing, by Randy Scorby
87  |  Southern Drawl, Great Raft Brewing Co. by Mike Castagno
87  |  Rudie Session IPA, Ska Brewing Co. by Michael Heniff
87  |  Half-Pipe Tart Pale Ale, Tallgrass Brewing Co. by Sal Mortillaro II
87  |  Chocolate Oak Aged Yeti, Great Divide Brewing Co. by Josh Weikert
87  |  Nadia Kali, Great Divide Brewing Co. by Josh Weikert
87  |  Free Spirit No. 6, Terrapin Beer Co. & Coppertail Brewing Co. by Michael McGuire
87  |  1811 Lager, Fort George Brewery, by Tracy Hensley
87  |  Sticky Hands, Block 15 Brewing Co. by Nelson Crowle
87  |  Gamma Bomb IPA, Warped Wing Brewing Co. by Sandy Cockerham
86  |  Private Stock Ale: 2016 Vintage, AleSmith Brewing Co. by Randy Scorby
86  |  Reinaert Flemish Wild Ale, De Proef Brouwerij, by Nelson Crowle
86  |  Single Origin Coffee Stout: Kona, Terrapin Beer Co. by Michael McGuire
86  |  I.P.W., Upstate Brewing Co. by Dan Preston
86  |  Dammed Double IPA, Belching Beaver Brewing Co. by Richard Wong
86  |  King of Hop, Starr Hill Brewery, by Dan Preston
86  |  Misty Mountain IPA, Back East Brewing Co. by Dan Martich

85  |  Neato Bandito, Deep Ellum Brewing Co. by John C. Tull
85  |  Or Xata, The Bruery, by Michael Heniff
85  |  Big Bend Hefeweizen, Big Bend Brewing Co. by Richard Wong
85  |  Single Origin Coffee Stout: Sumatra, Terrapin Beer Co. by Michael McGuire
84  |  Reasonably Corrupt, Great Raft Brewing Co. by Mike Castagno
84  |  Plaid, Fort George Brewery, by Tracy Hensley
84  |  Number 22 Porter, Big Bend Brewing Co. by Richard Wong
83  |  Terlingua Gold, Big Bend Brewing Co. by Richard Wong
83  |  Flyin' Rye IPA, Warped Wing Brewing Co. by Sandy Cockerham
82  |  Daily Grind, Starr Hill Brewery, by Dan Preston
82  |  Ermal's Belgian Style Cream Ale, Warped Wing Brewing Co. by Sandy Cockerham
81  |  Denver Pale Ale, Great Divide Brewing Co. by John C. Tull
80  |  Blueberry Shandy, Ipswich Ale Brewery, by Josh Weikert
80  |  Back East Summer Ale, Back East Brewing Co. by Dan Martich
80  |  Zoetzuur, De Proef Brouwerij, by Nelson Crowle
80  |  Habanero King of Hop, Starr Hill Brewery, by Dan Preston