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Rick Franckhauser
Beer Judge
Rick’s interest in beer styles and brewing began in 1975, as a part of an interest in the culinary arts but his education in beer styles began with an introduction to Michael Jackson’s “The World Guide To Beer”. In those days imported beers were hard to come by to say the least. As that began to change, his appreciation and interest in various beer styles grew stronger. Some styles remained hard to find, so in 1991, Rick began home brewing. To increase his knowledge of the brewing process he became a member of the Cincinnati Malt Infusers homebrew club in 1996, where he served as Program Director and helps to conduct an annual BJCP exam prep class. Rick became a BJCP judge in 2004 and has risen to the rank of National. But most importantly, he loves beer! After all these years, he remains fascinated with the varied aroma and flavor experiences a beer can provide.
My articles
We all know the story. The Pilgrims were floating about looking for some new digs when they ran out of beer. So, they pulled the Mayflower over,...
My reviews
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
Big Boss Lager by Big Boss Brewing Co. is being reviewed as BJCP category 4A, Munich Helles.
Pours a clear yellow gold with tiny bubbles raising to the creamy white persistent head. The aroma opens with low levels of grainy malt with hints toast. The malt is followed by some spicy and... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Sour Flower by Pontoon Brewing is being judged as BJCP category 29B, Fruit and Spice Beer.
Low levels of fresh blueberries in the aroma with a subtle impression of tartness. A touch of bready malt comes through. Nothing off but very subdued aromatics. The hibiscus is MIA (Missing In Aroma... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Low Road Brown Ale by Low Road Brewing was judged as BJCP category 19C, American Brown Ale. The aroma opens with an impression of dark toffee, a light cocoa with a rich walnut-like nuttiness and light dark fruit, fig-like esters. Very low levels of woody, earthy hops... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Big alcohol notes, including some fusel, come up in the initial aroma. Fortunately, the rum and dried fruit esters overcome the alcohol and are joined by caramel malt. A faint and rather nondescript spicy phenol peeks through as it warms up. This beer pours a somewhat hazy deep copper color with... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
39 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
Nelson Pale by pFriem Family Brewers was judged as BJCP Category 18 B, American Pale Ale, per the 2021 BJCP Style Guidelines.
Melon, peach and a little underlying pine resin and citrus all greet the nose at moderately high levels. All notes are very fresh... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Fresh tart lemons and grapefruit are first to greet you senses. Very low levels of grainy malt follow. Clean fermentation. The beer is a very cloudy light yellow color that looks almost “milky”, like Witbier. Topped with a big frothy white head which eventually dropped to a thin creamy cap. The... Read More