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David Sapsis

David Sapsis's picture
Beer & Cider Judge

Dave has been brewing beer since 1983 and judging since 1985. He holds the BJCP rank of Grand Master II, and has served in the program as Exam Assistant Director, Exam Director, and Western Representative on the BJCP Board of Directors.  Early in his brewing, while at the University of California pursuing a degree in Forestry, he met a young woman who worked in a world-class yeast lab (the Professor of the lab recently won a Nobel Prize), who helped him build a diverse yeast bank. He married her.  

In addition to brewing beers regularly and evaluating beers wherever he goes, Dave likes to cook and dabbles in charcuterie and motorcycle racing. In his day job, he works as a wildland fire scientist for the State of California.

 

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My reviews

602 Brew

602 Brew, Helio Basin Brewing Co.
Judges Rating:
91
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

602 Brew by Helio Basin Brewing Co. was judged as BJCP Category 18A, Blonde Ale and served in a kolsch stange glass at 46o F.

The beers pours a brilliant, glistening gold, with stark clarity; a nice, thick, foamy whitecap forms of mixed-size bubbles but shows only modest stand.  A lovely... Read More

Synopsis Blueberry & Acai

Synopsis Blueberry & Acai

Connecticut
United States
Synopsis Blueberry & Acai, Area Two Experimental Brewing
Description 

This mix fermented brew uses wild and cultured yeast strains and age on wood to deliver subtle funk notes while abundant amounts of fruit create a provocative and refreshingly tart beer. Synopsis Blueberry & Acai features lush tropical notes of berry.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
6.4%

 

 


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Judges Rating:
86
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Synopsis Blueberry & Acai by Area Two Experimental Brewing is judged as BJCP category 28C: Wild Specialty Beer. Presented in a steep-sided pilsner glass at 43 degrees Fahrenheit. The color is a deep and saturated bright red with noticeable haze. Foam stand is poor, which given the style, is... Read More

Dabinett

Dabinett

Colorado
United States
Dabinett, Snow Capped Cider
Description 

100% Dabinett is estate grown English bittersweet cider apples from our century old orchards in the western slopes of Colorado at 6,130 ft. Processed unfiltered, and bottle conditioned after a long cold ferment yields a deep golden hue, fruity sweetness with rich buttery notes hinting at woody vanilla, soft tannin, and a slightly dry, bittersweet finish. Our high elevation environment produces expressive and unique apple flavors.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
8.2%
Served at: 
Chilled

 

 


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Judges Rating:
91
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Dabinett* by Snow Capped Cider is a single varietal cider being judged against  BJCP category C1A, New World Ciders.

The cider is served in a  tall, narrow pilsner glass at 48oF, exhibiting a deep gold/light amber color, brilliant clarity and lively gas exchange. The nose is light and... Read More

Stone Buenavida Hard Seltzer - Watermelon Lime

Stone Buenavida Hard Seltzer - Watermelon Lime

California
United States
Stone Buenavida Hard Seltzer - Watermelon Lime, Stone Brewing
Description 

Sweet, summery watermelon balanced perfectly with tart, tangy lime. In our quest to enable our brewers to push the boundaries of what’s possible, we took on the challenge of creating a line of hard seltzers that were so good - or rather, Buena - we simply had to show them off to the world. Buenavida Hard Seltzers, in their custom-molded glass bottles, are sugar free, gluten-free and 100 calories.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
5.0%

 

 


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Judges Rating:
90
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Stone Buenavida Hard Seltzer - Watermelon Lime by Stone Brewing is being judged as a fruited seltzer with watermelon and lime flavoring against the 2022 Beer Connoisseur Seltzer Guidelines for fruit seltzers.  The beverage is presented in a tall pilsner glass at 44oF, exhibiting no color... Read More

Mulled Cider

Mulled Cider

Mulled Cider, Kelterei Possman
Description 

Heisser Apple Cider (hot apple cider) is a must during the winter and Christmas season. It is an aromatic drink based from apple wine with the following spices added: Cinnamon, Clove, Lemon and Sugar. This traditional recipe is very popular during the colder seasons in and around Frankfurt.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
5.5%
Served at: 
42 - 48º F

 

 


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Judges Rating:
90
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Mulled Cider by Kelterei Possman is being judged as a specialty cider, style C2B, per the BJCP 2015 cider guidelines.

The cider pours a medium-gold color with notable haze. Only a very tiny bit of effervescence is evident. The aroma starts with red and green apple notes below a nice, yet... Read More

Here Comes Mango IPA

Here Comes Mango IPA by Belching Beaver Brewery
Judges Rating:
88
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Mango IPA -- Judged as BJCP category 29 A, Fruit Beer.

The  beer was presented in a kolsch stange -- 3" beer and 3" light cream head of mixed bubbles. Foam stand lasted  3+ minutes. The color is a deep gold, with brilliant clarity and abundant traces of outgassing. Looks lively and... Read More

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