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James Link
Beer Judge
A homebrewer in Connecticut for 31 years and a member of the BJCP for 29, Jim worked with Pat Baker, the driving force behind the creation and inception of the BJCP, while advancing to Grand Master ranking in 2001. With several decades of judging experience under his belt (along with many fine brews), Jim has served as Associate Exam Director for the BJCP, appeared on Connecticut Public Television and worked with international beer experts Michael Jackson and Jim Koch in judging Best of Show for the Samuel Adams Longshot competition in 1995. James was also a judge at the 2015,2016,2018 and 2019 Great American Beer Festival in Denver, Colorado.
My articles
Thanks to the craft beer movement and the proliferation of new breweries and beer styles, many fascinating beers of all styles are available to...
My reviews
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Reviewed as a 22A Double IPA as per the style guidelines established by the Beer Judge Certification Program. (2015 edition)
The Hop aroma of this beer was redolent with the scent of ripe citrus fruits along with undertones of mango and pineapple. Caramel malt along with a persistent... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Lightning Will Pilsner by On Tour Brewing Co. was rated as per style guidelines established by the Beer Judge Certification Program under subheading 5D German Pils.
Pale yellow in color and brilliantly clear with a fine bead and big white head that poured up nicely and quickly fell off... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Lost Carnival by Gnarly Barley Brewing Co. was reviewed in conjunction with the style guidelines provided by the Beer Judge Certification Program under subheading 33B Specialty Wood- Aged Beers after a pour from a 25.4-ounce bottle into an eight-ounce snifter.
... Read More
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Dirty Beaches by Scofflaw Brewing Co. was reviewed according to the 2021 BJCP Style Guidelines, Style 21A, American IPA.
The initial pour delivers a profusion of tropical fruity notes to the nostrils. Papayas, mangos and pineapple dominate and are accompanied by... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
This is a very different approach to a Berliner Weisse; it features a distinct peach aroma followed by a light smokiness and a firm tart character. It is pale straw in color and hazy with low head retention, which is not unusual for beers of this style due to high acid content.
The flavor... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
This evaluation was predicated on the Beer Judge Certification Program style guidelines of 2015 category 26C Belgian Tripel.
Upon initial pour a pleasant complexity of aromas comes immediately into play. Yeasty phenols are dominant and accompanied by Coriander and other secondary spices.... Read More