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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:
3 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20
La Gosa Rita by Lakefront Brewery is being judged according to the 2021 BJCP Style Guidelines, Category 31B – Alternative Sugar Beer.
I am presented with a glass full of a lightly hazy yellow beer with rising bubbles that congregate... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
The Peanut Butter Solution by Gnarly Barley Brewing Co., an Imperial Peanut Butter Stout Aged in Heaven Hill Bourbon Barrels, is being judged according to the 2021 BJCP Style Guidelines, Category 33B – Specialty Wood-Aged Beer.
I am... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
39 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
Epitaph by Heathen Brewing is a Russian Imperial Stout and is being evaluated as an Imperial Stout (2015 BJCP Category 20C) according to BJCP guidelines. For this style expect bold, roast malt, sometimes lightly burnt and definitely with dark fruits and varying sweetness from bittersweet to... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
East Brother Red IPA by East Brother Beer Co. is a Red IPA and is being evaluated as a Specialty IPA: Red IPA (2015 BJCP Category 21B) offering according to BJCP guidelines. For this style expect an American IPA with more flavorful malt such as caramel, toffee, and/or dark fruit, but not sweet... Read More
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Quad Stack by Pontoon Brewing is a Belgian Quadrupel-style ale (a Belgian Dark Strong Ale in BJCP categorization) brewed with maple syrup. I am judging this according to the 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines, Category 31B, Alternative Sugar Beer, due to the maple syrup... Read More
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
39 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Hop Gods by Lakefront Brewery is being judged according to the 2021 BJCP Style Guidelines, Category 22A – Double IPA.
My glass arrives with a hazy, harvest moon orange beer that is mostly covered by a frothy and patchy tight-bubbled... Read More