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Brad Darnell
Beer Judge
Brad became interested in the science behind beer while taking a senior Chemical Engineering elective course, Biochemical Engineering, where the professor spoke of enzymes (among other things) and took the class on a brewery tour. He has since begun home brewing and earned a BJCP Grand Master II rank, currently serving as the Mountain/Northwest Regional Representative and Associate Exam Director while continuing to judge competitions around the U.S. and educating himself and others. In his spare time Brad visits breweries around the world, always on the hunt for those who produce world-class examples of hard-to-find, obscure or innovative styles.
My articles
Whiskey. Every libation-loving person across the world knows about this wonderful beverage, which refers to a barrel-aged distilled spirit made from...
Cool, crisp air ushers in a new season while the pumpkin and Oktoberfest beers of late summer and fall slowly give way their shelf space and tap...
The dog days of summer linger stubbornly for many of us around the world, while elsewhere the nights begin their gradual transition towards crisp...
My reviews
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
Ruby's Red by Garage Brewing Co. is being judged according to the 2021 BJCP Style Guidelines, Category 15A – Irish Red Ale.
A beautiful, brilliantly clear mahogany beer fills my glass while a thick, creamy and somewhat bubbly light beige... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Lawyers, Guns & Money by Crazy Mountain is a Barleywine and is being evaluated as an American Barleywine (2015 BJCP Category 22C) offering according to the BJCP guidelines. For this style expect a bold, even assertive American hop character and a rich, strong ale which lingers and “one ups”... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
39 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
Oatmeal Stout by East Brother Beer Co. is an Oatmeal Stout and is being evaluated as an Oatmeal Stout (2015 BJCP Category 16B) offering according to BJCP guidelines. For this style expect a dark and full-bodied ale with roasty malt.
The initial aroma is of roasted malt, nearly chocolate... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20
You've Got A Friend In Me by Peter B's Brewpub is a Barrel-Aged Amber and is being evaluated as a Specialty Wood-Aged Beer (2015 BJCP Category 33B) offering according to BJCP guidelines. For this style expect the base beer style blended well with characteristics picked up during the wood-aging (... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Blood Orange Hefeweizen by Garage Brewing Co is being judged according to the 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines, Category 29A – Fruit Beer.
Huge, fragrant and freshly squeezed blood orange emerges from below the thick, frothy white head, which is sitting atop a... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20
Triple Vanilla Hefeweizen by Garage Brewing Co. is being judged according to the 2021 BJCP Style Guidelines, Category 30A - Spice, Herb, or Vegetable Beer.
I am presented with a cloudy dark golden straw beer that has a two-inch, rocky... Read More