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Brad Darnell

Brad Darnell's picture
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 reviews

Hammer Chain

Hammer Chain, Odell Brewing
Judges Rating:
87
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
19 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Hammer Chain by Odell Brewing Co. is being evaluated as a Double IPA (2015 BJCP Category 22A) offering according to BJCP guidelines. For this style expect intense hoppiness supported by malt without being as sweet as an American Barleywine.

The initial look shows a lightly hazy golden... Read More

Arches Festbier

Arches Festbier

Georgia
United States
Arches Festbier, Arches Brewing
Description 

This Märzen-style lager is brewed with 97% local malts from Riverbend Malt House in Asheville, NC. The nutty, sweet malt character takes center stage as a hearty foundation of this beer. The spicy yet elegant hop character balances the malt body and provides sharp bitterness before a clean finish.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
6.0%
IBUs: 
20.5
Served at: 
38 - 42º F
Malts: 
Riverbend Malt House Vienna Malt, Light Munich, Expedition Pilsner, Aromatic Malt
Hops: 
Magnum, Hersbrucker, Tettnang

 

 


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Judges Rating:
90
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Arches Festbier by Arches Brewing is an Oktoberfest-style lager that I am judging according to the 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines, Category 4B, Festbier.

A brilliantly clear and sparkling bright copper-colored beer supports a large, bubbly beige head that persists somewhat. Rich caramel malt... Read More

White Oak

White Oak

Louisiana
United States
White Oak, Urban South Brewery
Description 

We aged this Citra Dry Hopped IPA on White Oak chips. The white oak imparted deep vanilla tones, toasted hazelnut and a soft, velvety mouthfeel!

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
6.3%
IBUs: 
25
Hops: 
Citra

 

 


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Judges Rating:
92
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

White Oak by Urban South Brewery is being judged according to the 2021 BJCP Style Guidelines, Category 33A – Wood-Aged Beer.

Soft, lightly sweet oak greet me immediately alongside medium cedar, coconut and mandarin orange hops and light... Read More

pFriem Oktoberfest

pFriem Oktoberfest

Oregon
USA
pFriem Oktoberfest, pFriem Family Brewers
Description 

Munich’s Oktoberfest is the largest fair in the world, but you don’t have to go to all the way to Germany to celebrate. pFriem Oktoberfest is our easy-drinking tribute. Its notes of honey, sourdough, and white grape will have you celebrating stateside.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
6.1%
IBUs: 
22
Served at: 
40 - 45º F
Malts: 
Weyermann Pilsner, Gambrinus Pilsner, Weyermann Vienna
Hops: 
Spalt, Tettnang

 

 


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Judges Rating:
91
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

pFriem Oktoberfest by pFriem Family Brewers was judged according to the 2021 BJCP Style Guidelines, Category 4B – Festbier.

A lightly hazy, rich and deep golden straw-colored beer arrives with a two-inch tall, bubbly and somewhat fizzy... Read More

Starburst IPA

Starburst IPA by Ecliptic Brewing
Judges Rating:
90
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Starburst IPA by Ecliptic Brewing is an IPA and is being evaluated as an American IPA (2015 BJCP Category 21A), according to BJCP guidelines. For this style, expect a hoppy and bitter beer with balanced malt character. These are bolder than American Pale Ales and present a hop-forward balance, a... Read More

180 Shilling

180 Shilling, Odell Brewing
Judges Rating:
85
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

180 Shilling by Odell Brewing Co. is an Oak-Aged Ale and is being evaluated as a Wood-Aged Beer (2015 BJCP Category 22A) offering according to BJCP guidelines. For this style expect intense hoppiness supported by malt without being as sweet as an American Barleywine.

I am presented with a... Read More

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