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Official Review (Issue 76)
The latest beer reviews, cider reviews and hard seltzer reviews by The Beer Connoisseur's panel of judges.
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, insuring 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.
Rated 90 to 86: Very Good – A brew to savor.
85 to 75: Average – Somewhat unimpressive.
74 and below: Not Recommended – Just walk away.
World Class (100 to 96)
Rated 97
Framboise Hibiscus Lambicus
Brouwerij Timmermans
Rated 97
pFriem Double IPA
pFriem Family Brewers
Rated 96
Grape Expectations
Irrigation Ales
Rated 96
Dive Beer
Lakefront Brewery
Rated 96
Kriek Black Pepper Lambicus
Brouwerij Timmermans
Rated 96
Nelson Pale
pFriem Family Brewers
Exceptional (95 to 91)
Rated 95
Tiers for Years
Ivanhoe Park Brewing
Rated 95
New Grist IPA
Lakefront Brewery
Rated 94
Thomas Hardy's Ale, Golden Edition 2018
Meantime Brewing Co.
Rated 94
Ube Hazy IPA
Garage Brewing Co.
Rated 94
pFriem Hazy IPA (2024)
pFriem Family Brewers
Rated 94
pFriem Lager
pFriem Family Brewers
Rated 93
Riverwest Stein NA
Lakefront Brewery
Rated 93
Tasty IPA
Manhattan Brewing Co.
Rated 93
Peaceful Groove
New Realm Brewing
Rated 93
PsycHOPathy (2024)
MadTree Brewing Co.
Rated 93
Chaise Longue
The Establishment Brewing Co.
Rated 92
Dad Strength IPA
Dad Strength Brewing
Rated 92
Gouden Carolus Imperial Dark
Brouwerij Het Anker
Rated 92
Apple Pie-Secco
Nine Pin Ciderworks
Rated 92
Kingston Black
Snow Capped Cider
Rated 91
Hell or High Twilight
21st Amendment Brewery
Rated 91
The Russets
Snow Capped Cider
Rated 91
2024 Vinifera Saison
pFriem Family Brewers
Very Good (Rated 90 to 86)
Rated 90
Bretta V
pFriem Family Brewers
Rated 90
Sinfully Wicked
The Original 40 Brewing Co.
Rated 90
Mulled Cider
Kelterei Possman
Rated 90
Apfelwein Gold
Bembel With Care
Rated 89
Gouden Carolus Cuvée Van De Keizer Rood
Brouwerij Het Anker
Rated 89
Barrel Aged Saison VII
pFriem Family Brewers
Rated 89
Apfelwein Kirsch
Bembel With Care
Rated 88
Frankfurter Apfelwein
Kelterei Possman
Rated 87
South Pacific IPA
pFriem Family Brewers
Rated 86
Saturnine Feline
Attic Brewing Co.
Rated 86
Pure Cider Rosé
Kelterei Possman
Average (85 to 75)
Rated 85
Pure Cider
Kelterei Possman
Rated 85
Veltins Radler
C. & A. Veltins
Rated 84
Return to Joyland
Ivanhoe Park Brewing
