Start 14-Day Trial Subscription

*No credit card required

Brian Eichhorn

Brian Eichhorn's picture
Beer, Mead & Cider Judge

Brian started diving into the world of craft beer in 2004, tracking all of the beers he tasted online, with notes. He picked up homebrewing in 2008 and began judging in 2010. Taking pride in the opportunity to give feedback to brewers of all sorts, he has progressed through the BJCP, attaining the rank of Master in 2013. He formerly acted as an Associate Exam Director for the BJCP, as well as an exam administrator and proctor, and presently holds the rank of Grand Master IV, as well as Mead judge. To him, the most important aspect of judging is to know your limits and learn how to recognize them and expand them. To achieve that end, Brian has judged in over 100 competitions in 12 states and counting, including the Great American Beer Festival, and visits innumerable breweries. He also helps organize a few competitions each year, including the role of judge coordinator for the Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beer (which you may know as FoBAB), the largest of its kind in the world.

 

cert_c0839_grand_master_iii.jpg       cert_c0839_mead_judge.jpg

My reviews

Monk's Cafe Grand Cru

Monk's Cafe Grand Cru, Brouwerij Van Steenberge
Judges Rating:
90
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Monk's Cafe Grand Cru by Brouwerij van Steenberge is being judged as a 23B Flanders Red Ale.

The beer pours a hazy deep brown-red. The nose on this is fantastic. Strong cherry notes with a faint acetic background note that stops short of vinegar. Bright acid pops out as well, along with... Read More

Vieux Bois

Vieux Bois

Montana
United States
Vieux Bois, Bozeman Brewing Co.
Description 

This Lambic inspired ale was fermented and aged in French and American Oak barrels deep in the belly of the Bozeman Underground. Over a period of 47 months a blend of bacteria and wild yeast created a complex flavor profile that is tart, funky, and fruity. During the final months of aging Plum was added to each barrel and allowed to re-ferment lending its delicate fruit flavor to the beer. TA15 pH3.37

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
5.8%
IBUs: 
5
Served at: 
45º F
Malts: 
Pale, Wheat, Oats, Acidulated Malt
Hops: 
Tettnang, Tettnanger

 

 


The rating and full judge's review for this product is available only to premium subscribers.

Login / Subscribe

Not yet a subscriber? Visit the store now.
Options start for only $9.95!


Judges Rating:
81
Appearance:
3 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Vieux Bois by Bozeman Brewing Co. is being evaluated as a 23F-Fruit Lambic. In this instance, it is made with plums, though the variety of which is not declared. This is a style that is based in history through use of specific Belgian processes to achieve a complex, wine-like beverage. This one... Read More

Excelsior Imperial Apple

Excelsior Imperial Apple

Excelsior Imperial Apple, Schilling Hard Cider
Description 

A pioneer of Imperials. This stellar cider takes flavor (and ABV) to new heights. With its tantalizingly tart fresh-pressed apples and semi-sweet profile, Excelsior launches your taste buds into an uncharted galaxy. Get ready for a complex and crushable cider experience that's out of this world!

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
8.4%
Served at: 
45º F

 

 


The rating and full judge's review for this product is available only to premium subscribers.

Login / Subscribe

Not yet a subscriber? Visit the store now.
Options start for only $9.95!


Judges Rating:
88
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Excelsior Imperial Apple by Schilling Hard Cider is being evaluated as a C1A New World Cider (per the 2021 BJCP Style Guidelines), as that seems the best fit.

This cider pours a deep burnished gold with a faint haze to it. Collapsing head here. Nose is super clean and expresses a deep... Read More

Revive

Revive

Indiana
United States
Revive by Upland Brewing Co.
Description 

In our newest creation, Revive, we took a blend of Basis, our base blonde sour ale, and aged it on pineapple and chamomile. This unique combination of ingredients creates a beer that is mildly tart with prominent flavors and aromas from the pineapple. The chamomile adds a distinct herbal quality that perfectly balances the fruit character.

Beverage Profile
Served at: 
39-45º
Malts: 
Pale, Pilsner, Raw White Wheat, Bonlander Munich
Hops: 
Aged German Spalt

 

 


The rating and full judge's review for this product is available only to premium subscribers.

Login / Subscribe

Not yet a subscriber? Visit the store now.
Options start for only $9.95!


Judges Rating:
90
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

(American Wild Ale - Wild Specialty Beer - 28C) The beer presents in the glass a hazy straw color with minimal petillant character, even on arousal and with no head. The nose is a melange of cinnamon like spice due to the chamomile, with a vague fruitiness following. The aromatic acid comes... Read More

Judges Rating:
70
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
18 / 24
Flavor:
33 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
6 / 20

Floating Dock Light IPA by 3 Daughters Brewing is being judged as a 21B Specialty IPA-Session Strength IPA. This beer pours a pale gold in the glass with hints of amber and a billow off-white head. The nose initially is a bit grassy and vegetal, light citrus notes and faint sweet malt. It seems... Read More

Judges Rating:
86
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
6 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Situational Ethics - Maple Cognac by Monday Night Brewing was judged as a 33b-Specialty Wood-Aged Beer due to the use of a spirits barrel. In addition, the base style falls under 30a Spice, Herb or Vegetable beer due to it's use of hazelnuts, pecans, cocoa nibs and vanilla.

The beer shows... Read More

Pages