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Jessica Sullivan

Jessica Sullivan's picture
Beer and Cider Judge

Jess is a BJCP National ranked beer judge, award winning cider maker, and Assistant Professor of Developmental Psychology at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY. Jess studies how children (and adults!) use language (e.g., words) to describe their perceptual experiences (e.g., the things we see, smell, and taste). Judging beers, ciders, and meads allows her to combine her love of fermentation with her research interests -- Jess loves the challenge of using the precision of language to represent the complicated and intense experience of tasting, smelling, and seeing a brew.

 

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My reviews

HHG APA

HHG APA by Central Waters Brewing Co.
Judges Rating:
90
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

I am judging this beer as an American Pale Ale (BJCP category 18B). 

The aroma of this beer was vibrant with clean lemon peel and grapefruit peel notes. The malt character was mild and every so slightly grainy. While the aroma was overall mellow and a hair low in malt complexity for the... Read More

Judges Rating:
84
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
6 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

I am judging this beer as an American Barleywine (BJCP category 22C) that has been Wood Aged (category 68). 

The aroma on this beer was very compelling, and immediately revealed the beer to be a barleywine. There was a rich caramel aroma with low and pleasant butteriness that combined... Read More

Space Ghost

Space Ghost Central Waters Brewing Co.
Judges Rating:
79
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
24 / 24
Flavor:
28 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
15 / 20

I am judging this beer as a vegetable beer (30A), with the base style being Imperial Stout (20C).

The aroma began with complex malt-derived scents: licorice, coffee, chocolate, and anise. Under the malt complexity was a low level of black pepper and what I initially believed to be cayenne... Read More

Wild Night

Wild Night by Swamp Head Brewery
Judges Rating:
90
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Wild Night Honey Cream Ale by Swamp Head Brewery is a cream ale with honey added. I am judging it primarily as a BJCP Category 1c (Cream Ale).

The aroma has a low pils malt character with a low corn sweetness. I detected a medium-low spicy hops aroma, along with a very low herbal nearly-... Read More

Big Nose IPA

Big Nose IPA by Swamp Head Brewery
Judges Rating:
81
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
14 / 20

I am judging Big Nose IPA by Swamp Head Brewery as a Category 21A American India Pale Ale. 

The aroma has a strong American hop character present, with a low caramel malt background and low red apple esters. There is a surprising amount of sweetntess in the nose (more what I would expect... Read More

Rose Du Gose

Rose Du Gose, Cape May Brewing Co.
Judges Rating:
87
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Rose Du Gose by DC Brau and Cape May Brewing Co. is being reviewed as a Gose with fruit (29 A: Fruit Beer).

The aroma is of overwhelming peachiness. There is a low acidity that reminds me of lemons, and a moderate sweetness, and I detect no hop aroma whatsoever. The appearance was quite... Read More

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