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Official Review (Issue 57)
The latest beer and cider 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.
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)
97
Smooth Operator Peanut Butter Porter
Low Road Brewing
96
Kiwi Double IPA
Lawson's Finest Liquids
96
Jockamo Juicy IPA
Abita Brewing Co.
Exceptional (95 to 91)
95
Heady Topper
The Alchemist
95
Rebellious Red Head
Low Road Brewing
94
High Pines
Highland Brewing Co.
94
Focal Banger
The Alchemist
94
Port Aged Barleywine
Low Road Brewing
94
ASW Barrel Aged Vanilla Ice Cream Stout
Wild Leap Brew Co.
94
Rye Whiskey Barrel Aged Imperial Brown Ale
pFriem Family Brewers
94
Alpha Abstraction Vol. 18
Wild Leap Brew Co.
93
Samuel Adams Just The Haze
The Boston Beer Co.
93
Euphonia Pilsner
New Realm Brewing
93
Surf Rock Candy Shandy
Pontoon Brewing
92
Birthday Month Mango Cryo Hop IIPA
Wild Leap Brew Co.
92
Fruit Cup Vol. 2
Pontoon Brewing
91
Birthday Month Flowers and Fruit Double IPA
Wild Leap Brew Co.
Very Good (90 to 86)
90
Rise and Shine Breakfast Sour
Gnarly Barley Brewing Co.
90
Birthday Month Blueberry Cryo Hop IIPA
Wild Leap Brew Co.
90
Lemon Blueberry Blonde
Low Road Brewing
90
Leder-Hoser Oktoberfest
Low Road Brewing
90
Unscrupulous
Low Road Brewing
88
Hazy Like A Fox
New Realm Brewing
88
Heritage Helles
Arches Brewing
88
Rocket Pop Gose
Urban South Brewery
87
Coconut Rum Barrel Aged Stout
Wild Leap Brew Co.
87
Zulu King Coconut Porter
Low Road Brewing
86
pFriem Bourbon Barrel Aged Barleywine
pFriem Family Brewers
Average (85 to 75)
85
Samuel Adams Wicked Double IPA
The Boston Beer Co.
84
We're Gonna Need a Bigger Pontoon
Pontoon Brewing
84
Rhubarbebier
Bozeman Brewing Co.
83
Turbulence
Arches Brewing
81
Vieux Bois
Bozeman Brewing Co.
81
Black Currant Sour
Low Road Brewing
80
Birthday Month Hop Latte Cold Brew Double IPA
Wild Leap Brew Co.