Tropic of Thunder Lager by Stone Brewing Co. was judged as an Experimental Beer (34C). The aroma is dominated by fruit from the abundance of aroma hopping. The fruitiness is very tropical, mostly mango and papaya, with a back note of herbal quality. There are no off notes and only a hint of malt... Read More
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John C. Tull
Beer Judge
John Tull began making beer for himself and his friends in 1994 just prior to moving to Utah to begin graduate school. While working on his Ph.D. in Reno, Nevada, John became interested in judging beer, mead and cider through his friends and colleagues in the Washoe Zephyr Zymurgists, a homebrew club with strong and early representation in the Beer Judge Certification Program. He took the BJCP exam in 2001 and gradually has risen to the rank of Grand Master I. John has judged in more than 50 beer competitions and organized eight, including the AHA National Homebrew Competition final round in 2009. Outside of his life as a beer judge, John is a wildlife ecologist focused on conservation of fragile desert landscapes and the wildlife that live there. He and his wife Marlene have two wonderful daughters and a French Brittany named Jaca.
My reviews
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Rocket Dog Rye IPA by Laughing Dog Brewing is a Rye IPA and was judged as a Specialty IPA: Rye IPA (21B). The aroma of this beer is decidedly malty with a modest hop aroma for an IPA. The malt is slightly caramelly and sweet. The hop aroma is primarily floral with more of an Old World hop... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
There is an aroma of rich malt, mostly caramel with toasted hints that may be from the wood. The beer has prevalent oaky wood aromas with whiskey barrel and vanilla overtones. Subtle tangerine hints from hops are lurking beneath the wood and malt. The color is light copper and very clear with a... Read More
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Beta Test One by Belching Beaver Brewery was judged as an American IPA (21A BJCP 2021). Befitting the style, this beer is very much hop-dominated in the aroma. Tropical fruit notes and a distinctly pithy, green pepper character (think of the white flesh on the inside of a green pepper) are first... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Floral hops, light fruit esters and some caramel malt aromas can all be found in the aroma of this beer. Otherwise, it has a very clean nose. The color is a dark copper with exceptional clarity. A nice off-white head of fine bubbles gathers at the top and sides of the glass. Rich caramel malts,... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Früh Kölsch by Cölner Hofbräu Früh was judged as Kölsch, Style 5B per the BJCP 2021 Style Guidelines.
A light grainy sweetness is evident along with a very subtle, nondescript fruity quality right away. There are no hop qualities that stand out in the aroma. The color is dark straw, not... Read More