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Dan Preston

Dan Preston's picture
Beer Judge

Dan discovered craft beer his junior year of college and never looked back. After a few years of brewery tours and tastings, he finally dove into homebrewing in 2009 when a work colleague was giving up the hobby. Shortly after, he joined one of the oldest club’s in the nation (Boston Wort Processors) and quickly got into judging beer and was a National-ranked BJCP judge by 2013. As an officer of the Worts since 2011, Dan has assisted in organizing several AHA/BJCP competitions as well as trying to promote beer education and experimentation. While he appreciates and makes all beer styles, Dan’s favorites are of the hoppy or sour variety, and has even had great luck combining the two.

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My reviews

X.P.A.

Upstate beer XPA pale ale
Judges Rating:
79
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
30 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

This beer pours a lightly hazy deep golden color with orange hues and a long-lasting white head. At first, this beer conveys a moderately hoppy aroma, mostly with notes of grapefruit and orange zest as well as some herbal grassiness. As it warms, some more tropical notes and resin begin to show... Read More

There and Back Again

Judges Rating:
81
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
14 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

There and Back Again by Equilibrium Brewery is an American Wild Specialty Beer, and is being evaluated as such (BJCP 2015 Category 28C). It falls under the specialty subcategory of the American Wild Ale category due to the use of fruit (Apricot & Peach).

It pours a deep hazy golden... Read More

Hills Pils

Hills Pils, Hanging Hills Brewing Co.
Judges Rating:
84
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Hills Pils by Hanging Hills Brewing Co. is a pilsner that best fits under the BJCP category 5D German Pils. It pours a deep straw color approaching yellow, darkened by a slight level of haze, which is a bit more than one would expect for style, as well as a bright... Read More

El Gato Mariachi

El Gato Mariachi

North Carolina
United States
El Gato Mariachi, Catawba Brewing Co.
Description 

El Gato Mariachi incorporates all the traditional Horchata ingredients into a wheat ale base – along with a healthy dose of milk sugar. An addition of rice in the grain bill lightens the body for excellent drinkability, without sacrificing its creamy mouthfeel. The beer features an enticing aroma of freshly baked cinnamon rolls. It pours a milky straw color, and finishes with just the right blend of vanilla sweetness and a touch of cinnamon spice.
The recipe for this new Limited Release was developed in the Asheville pilot brewhouse, and proved to be one of Catawba's best-selling Small Batch releases of 2019.
The release was crafted as an homage to the famous drink of taquerias across Latin America, and envisioned as the perfect beer pairing for tacos. It also happens that Taco is the name of the brewery's Sales Manager's cat. So, when it came time to name the beer and create its character, the idea of a "taco beer" and Taco the Cat naturally aligned. Taco is on the label with the piercing green eyes, dressed in his finest charro suit.
El Gato will be available in tasting rooms on draft and in 6-pack cans throughout Catawba’s 5-state distribution area.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
5.3%
IBUs: 
15
Malts: 
Two-Row Pale, Malted Wheat
Hops: 
Summit

 

 


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Judges Rating:
82
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
18 / 24
Flavor:
32 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

El Gato Mariachi by Catawba Brewing Co. is a wheat ale (BJCP category 1D), but due to the additions of lactose, vanilla and cinnamon it shifts to Spice, Herb & Vegetable Beer, which is BJCP 2015 category 30A. This beer pours a light straw color with some haze, which is normal for a wheat... Read More

Indiewave

Indiewave

Colorado
United States
Indiewave, CERIA Brewing Co.
Description 

CERIA's Indiewave IPA is a medium bodied, zero alcohol version of an American IPA, dry-hopped with Amarillo and Cascade. Indiewave pairs well with beef dishes, Mexican cuisine and chocolate.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
0.0%
IBUs: 
45
Served at: 
40 - 42º F
Malts: 
Pale, Caramel
Hops: 
Cascade, Citra, Amarillo

 

 


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Options start for only $9.95!


Judges Rating:
79
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
18 / 24
Flavor:
30 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
15 / 20

Indiewave by Ceria Brewing Co is a non-alcoholic IPA that would best fit as an IPA (BJCP category 21A). This one looks no different than a normal IPA, pouring deep yellow towards gold with some orange hues, a slight bit of haze, and a white head that hangs around. The aroma is of old school IPA... Read More

Oatmeal Porter

Oatmeal Porter by Highland Brewing
Judges Rating:
81
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
6 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

The American Porter is quite a varied style. It can be highly hopped, highly roasted, smoky, or strong -- they are all unique. With its strongly nutty, toasted oatmeal character, this one is no different. This porter is very dark brown, nearly into black, but is clear despite the darkness. It ... Read More

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