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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:
5 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20
Soul Sacrifice by Peter B's Brewpub is a Mexican hot chocolate-inspired bourbon barrel-aged imperial red 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... Read More
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20
Cucumber Berliner Wiesse by Garage Brewing Co. is being judged according to the 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines, Category 29A – Fruit Beer.
Freshly cut cucumber and bright, lactic tartness erupt from the glass as it approaches my nose for first full sniff. 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
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Local's Stash Rum Barrel Aged Dark Ale With Ginger And Lime by Crazy Mountain is being evaluated as a Specialty Wood-Aged Beer (2015 BJCP Category 33B) offering according to the BJCP guidelines. For this style, expect the barrel that is selected to impart its characteristics into the beer from... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Gold IPA by East Brother Beer Co. is an American IPA and is being evaluated as an American IPA (2015 BJCP Category 21A) offering according to BJCP guidelines. For this style expect a strong pale ale that is quite hoppy and bitter, largely showcasing American hop varieties. The beer is hop-... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Lounging Iguanas by Abita Brewing Co. is a Hazy (aka New England) India Pale Ale (IPA), and I am judging this beer according to the 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines, Category 21B, Specialty IPA: New England IPA.
The beer pours moderately hazy and cloudy straw gold with a large, bubbly and foamy... Read More