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Jim Koebel

Jim Koebel's picture
Grand Master Beer Judge

Jim is a Grand Master beer judge and former Associate Exam Director for the Beer Judge Certification Program. He began enjoying good beer in the mid aughts and started homebrewing shortly thereafter. Regardless of style, Jim is always on the lookout for breweries that are good at what they do.

 

   

My reviews

Last Snow

Last Snow by Funky Buddha Brewery
Judges Rating:
87
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

Last Snow is a limited release porter with special flavorings, judged as BJCP Category 30C, Winter Seasonal Beer. 

Coconut, vanilla, and coffee-and-cream are the aromas here, in decreasing order of strength. The coffee-and-cream aspect is especially nice, and would have been adequate all... Read More

Judges Rating:
94
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

Bastogne Ardenne Saison by Brasserie de Bastogne is a Saison refermented with Brettanomyces, judged as BJCP Category 25B. This beer has a restrained, fruity aroma consisting of peach and pear. It is complemented by an equally mild Brett aroma and spicy hop character. After it warms, the aroma... Read More

Ramblin' Rubus

Ramblin' Rubus

South Carolina
United States
Ramblin' Rubus, Revelry Brewing Co.
Description 

Turbid mash and a 3 hour boil before a rest in our coolship is the beginning of Ramblin' Rubus. After an overnight rest in the open vessel, the wort is transferred to French Oak for primary fermentation for approximately 9 months. After primary fermentation, the beer is racked into stainless steel on red raspberries for a secondary fermentation taking another 3 months. Finally, the beer is bottle conditioned another month before it is ready.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
7.0%
Served at: 
45º F
Malts: 
Pilsner, Wheat, Raw Wheat
Hops: 
Aged

 

 


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Judges Rating:
85
Appearance:
3 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20
Ramblin' Rubus by Revelry Brewing​ was judged as a Wild Specialty Beer (BJCP Category 28C).   The aroma is very fruity with noticeable raspberry. It also has a nice level of funk and sourness in the background. Flavor is also fruity, and quite sweet. It is tart with no hops. This beer has a medium... Read More

Hibiscuwit

Hibiscuwit
Judges Rating:
89
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

The best Spice, Herb, and Vegetable beers combine an array of flavors -- often unfamiliar -- and become something greater than the sum of their parts. This beer, brewed with hibiscus, succeeds in that. Its aroma is anchored by a grainy, bready, wheat malt character, supported by a subtle blend... Read More

Hazy Like a Fox

Hazy Like a Fox

Virginia
United States
Hazy Like a Fox, New Realm Brewing Co.
Description 

Hazy Like a Fox features a blend of pale malt, oats, wheat, flaked barley and milk sugar for a pillowy mouthfeel. It pours pale gold with an opaque haze. A double dry hop creates waves of pineapple and tangerine aromatics that compliment soft, juicy orange and tangerine notes which delight the palate.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
6.5%
IBUs: 
40
Malts: 
Wheat, Oat, Flaked Barley
Hops: 
Azacca, Citra, Mosaic, El Dorado

 

 


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Judges Rating:
88
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

Hazy Like a Fox by New Realm Brewing is a New England IPA, judged as BJCP Category 21B Specialty IPA.

Grapefruit, lemon, pine and resin make up this beer's potent aroma and are classic badges of the IPA style set. It pours a turbid yellow color with dense, white head. Its flavors are... Read More

Roughtail Pale Ale

Roughtail Pale Ale Beer
Judges Rating:
87
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
33 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

This Pale Ale's aroma consists of grapefruit and passion fruit at first, then takes on a familiar piney hoppiness. It is clear and copper-gold with a moderate off-white head. This beer's flavor manages to take on quite a different hop character than the aroma. Quite hoppy from beginning to end,... Read More

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