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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

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

pFriem Belgian-Style Dark Ale by pFriem Family Brewers is judged as Belgian Dark Strong Ale, aka BJCP Category 26D. Served at 49oF.  

The beer is presented by my assistant in a Belgian tulip glass after a vigorous pour down the middle; color deep amber-brown  estimated~12/13 SRM, with... Read More

Wolfsburg Helles

Wolfsburg Helles

Washington
United States
Wolfsburg Helles, Reuben's Brews
Description 

Our classic Helles has a great bite of bready malts and Hallertau hops.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
4.8%
IBUs: 
16
Hops: 
Hallertau

 

 


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Judges Rating:
87
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Wolfsburg Helles by Reuben's Brews was judged as BJCP category 4A, Munich Helles, the classic malt-forward golden and dry lager of Southern German origin.

The nose is lightly floral with hops and faint crackery malt but lacking the predominant continental bready malt sweetness found in... Read More

Fogged Out Hazy IPA

Fogged Out Hazy IPA

Colorado
United States
Fogged Out Hazy IPA, FlyteCo Brewing
Description 

This hazy IPA has a pale yellow color with a large amount of haze. The nose of the beer is full of citrusy hop scents as well as a subtle dankiness that is very common in this style of IPA. Strong flavor notes of orange, grapefruit, and other tropical notes make this hazy IPA a favorite among bartenders. Three different hops provide the citrus and hazy characteristics while the malt profile is built not to linger on your palate.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
7.4%

 

 


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Judges Rating:
91
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Fogged Out Hazy IPA by FlyteCo Brewing was reviewed under 2021 BJCP Category 21C, Hazy IPA. The beer is served at 46o in a tall narrow krug after a heavy pour. The beer pours a milky dark yellow with a cream-colored head with a nice, fine texture and a good but not great foam stand.  

The... Read More

Dragon's Milk Reserve Coffee Chocolate

Dragon's Milk Reserve Coffee Chocolate

Michigan
United States
Dragon's Milk Reserve Coffee Chocolate, New Holland Brewing Co.
Description 

This adventure begins with a slumber in select bourbon barrels, imparting notes of vanilla and oak to this brew. After aging for three months, the beer is finished on mountains of freshly ground coffee and cocoa.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
11.0%
IBUs: 
30
Served at: 
50 - 55º F

 

 


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Judges Rating:
88
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Dragon's Milk Reserve Coffee Chocolate by New Holland Brewing Co. was judged according to BJCP Category 33B, Specialty Wood-Aged Beer. The beer pours an opaque dark brown color with a creamy cap of tan foam that subsides quickly. 

The aroma is strong and dominated by a dark roast coffee... Read More

21 Anniversary Ale

21 Anniversary Ale by Heavy Seas Beer
Judges Rating:
94
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

This is an Imperial Rye ESB judged as English Barleywine BJCP #17D. My assistant greets me with  a tall glass of copper colored beer  capped with an inch of off-white dense foam, intoning  “Imperial Rye ESB”. Hmmm. This presents a bit of a challenge for classification. Naturally, I look to the... Read More

pFriem Vienna Lager

Judges Rating:
95
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

pFriem Vienna Lager by pFriem Family Brewers was judged as BJCP Category 7A - Vienna Lager.

The beer is served at 42o F in a standard 200-ml kölsch straight-sided stange glass, poured vigorously to produce a nice head on top. The beer is solidly amber in color, around 8-9 SRM, and... Read More

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