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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

Postcard Porter

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

Judged as BJCP category 20A American Porter.

The beer is presented in a classic Cologne stange after a solid pour of half the beer: a big 2 inch mixed foam stand of medium beige, above a dark brown, almost opaque but distinctly ruby cast beer. Looks great, and the foam lasts for most of... Read More

Citrus Zest IPA

Citrus Zest IPA by pFriem Family Brewers
Judges Rating:
90
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Citrus Zest IPA by pFriem Family Brewers was judged as BJCP Category  21A, American IPA.  Served at 41 °F.

The beer comes to me in a large snifter and presents a medium-gold color with a dense off-white head that is lush and thick with an excellent foam stand. Clarity is almost bright,... Read More

Little Red Cap

Little Red Cap, Grimm Brothers Brewhouse
Judges Rating:
94
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

Little Red Cap by Grimm Brothers Brewhouse is being judged as BJCP category 7A, Altbier. It comes to me after a full pour into a classic German stange cylinder great for evaluating beers. Beer is served at is 44oF. 

The color is a lovely orange-bronze of roughly 11-12 SRM, with a faint... Read More

Abita Amber Lager

Abita Amber Lager

Louisiana
United States
Abita Amber Lager, Abita Brewing Co.
Description 

Amber Lager is a Munich style lager brewed with pale and caramel malts and German Perle hops. It has a smooth, malty, slightly caramel flavor and a rich amber color. Abita Amber was the first beer offered by the brewery and continues to be our leading seller. Amber Lager is Abita’s most versatile beer for pairing with food. It has been voted "best beer" in numerous New Orleans reader polls and is used frequently in recipes of great Louisiana chefs.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
4.5%
IBUs: 
17
Served at: 
40º F
Malts: 
Pale, Caramel
Hops: 
German Perle

 

 


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Judges Rating:
93
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Abita Amber Lager by Abita Brewing Co. was judged against the 2015 BJCP guidelines for category 2B International Amber Lager.  

Amber lagers owe their provenance to the Vienna style first brewed by Anton Dreher in 1840s Austria. They combined the crispness of the emerging lager family ... Read More

Redux Dark Cherry Rum Porter

Redux Dark Cherry Rum Porter

California
United States
Redux Dark Cherry Rum Porter, Garage Brewing Co.
Description 

Jamaican Rum Barrel Aged with rum, oak, cherries, and chocolate combined for a complex balance of flavors culminating in a quick and dry cherry chocolate finish.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
11.8%

 

 


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Judges Rating:
85
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

Redux Dark Cherry Rum Porter by Garage Brewing Co. is being judged against the 2021 BJCP style guidelines for category 34B, Mixed-Style Beer.

The beer casts a deep ruby/garnet color upon illumination through the glass (a large tulip snifter), with some haziness and a nice, tan-colored... Read More

Stone 27th Anniversary Lemon Shark Double IPA

Stone 27th Anniversary Lemon Shark Double IPA

California
USA
Stone 27th Anniversary Lemon Shark Double IPA, Stone Brewing
Description 

For this year’s anniversary beer, we found inspiration in the southern hemisphere. This double IPA is brewed with Peacharine and Riwaka hops, along with a special ingredient called Phantasm – an extract from sauvignon blanc grape skins – all sourced from New Zealand. Combined with some good old fashioned Mosaic hops from the US and an amped up grain bill and we’ve got ourselves a unique sensory experience full of dankness and tropical citrusy notes. Coming in at a smooth 9.6% in honor of the year we started: 1996.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
9.6%
IBUs: 
43
Hops: 
Peacharine, Riwaka, Mosaic, Magnum

 

 


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Judges Rating:
88
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
19 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Stone 27th Anniversary Lemon Shark Double IPA by Stone Brewing is being judged according to BJCP category 22A, Double IPA, from the 2021 Guidelines. Despite the addition of Phantasm, a grapeskin-derived product designed to promote fruity aromas, the beer was not... Read More

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