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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.

 

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My reviews

Marshmallow Milk Stout

Marshmallow Milk Stout, Garage Brewing Co.
Judges Rating:
80
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
19 / 24
Flavor:
33 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
14 / 20

This beer was judged as a 30A-Spice, Herb or Vegetable beer, with a base style of 16A-Sweet Stout, with Vanilla added, though the bottle does say "Marshmallow Flavor." The beer is a deep brown/black with ruby at the edges, with a big billowy tan head that sticks around. The nose initially does... Read More

Key Lime Cider

Key Lime Cider

Florida
United States
Key Lime Cider by 3 Daughters Brewing
Description 

Hard apple cider blended with key lime juice for a uniquely Florida taste. The semi-sweet apple flavor is nicely balanced by the tart, zesty key lime juice. Serve cold for a refreshing break from the hot Florida sun.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
5.5%
Served at: 
55º

 

 


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

Key Lime Cider by 3 Daughters Brewing is being reviewed as a C2B Cider with Other Fruit. This cider pours a pale straw color with a thin fizzy head that dissipates and a fair amount of haze. On smelling the cider, it's clearly a lime one! Reminiscent of key lime pie, there are some faint floral... Read More

Chimay Dorée

Chimay Dorée, Abbaye de Scourmont
Judges Rating:
88
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

An oddball beer that was given as a witbier, but with the option as a Trappist Single. Given that it's a Trappist beer and obviously a Belgian, Chimay Dorée by Abbaye de Scourmont was judged as a 26a-Trappist Single. It is worth noting that spicing is not typically appropriate in this style, per... Read More

Deepfake Non-Alcoholic IPA

Deepfake Non-Alcoholic IPA

Maryland
United States
Deepfake Non-Alcoholic IPA, Flying Dog Brewery
Description 

What on the surface might smell and taste like an IPA, is in fact, a masterful forgery engineered to trick the senses – a smooth drinking non-alcoholic brew bursting with delicious hop flavor.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
<0.5%
IBUs: 
10
Malts: 
Munich, Caramel Malt
Hops: 
Mosaic, Simcoe, Citra

 

 


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Judges Rating:
71
Appearance:
3 / 6
Aroma:
19 / 24
Flavor:
28 / 40
Mouthfeel:
5 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

Deepfake Non-Alcoholic IPA by Flying Dog Brewery is a difficult one to review, so I'm evaluating it as a 21B Specialty IPA with a non-alcoholic aspect. On the nose, it's initially juicy and orange juice-heavy, with grapefruit lingering. Beyond this, however, I'm getting a buttery/butterscotch... Read More

Pickerel

Pickerel

Pickerel, Moniker Brewery
Description 

This is a collaboration beer with the brewery's neighbor restaurant of the same name.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
5.7%
IBUs: 
15
Served at: 
40 - 45º F
Malts: 
Flaked Rice, Cara Pils, Cara Foam
Hops: 
Saaz, Tettnang, Magnum

 

 


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Judges Rating:
92
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Pickerel by Moniker Brewery is a Japanese Rice lager that I'm evaluating as a 1B American Lager. Into the glass it pours a pale straw color with the faintest of hazes and a persistent ring of fine white bubbles. Certainly looks the part.

The nose is quite interesting and almost perfumy... Read More

Hard Apple Cider

Hard Apple Cider

Florida
United States
Hard Apple Cider by 3 Daughters Brewing
Description 

Refreshingly crisp, this semi-sweet cider packs a big apple flavor perfect for the beach or wherever you chill. This is how Florida does apple cider.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
5.5%
Served at: 
50º

 

 


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Judges Rating:
81
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
18 / 24
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
15 / 20

Hard Apple Cider by 3 Daughters Brewing is being judged as a C1A New World Cider. This Cider pours a quite clear pale straw color, fizzy with minimal head. Initial aroma is distinct fermented apple, but it does come across a bit apple sauce-like, lacking complexity of traditional ciders, leading... Read More

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