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Joseph Formanek
Beer Judge
Joe Formanek started homebrewing in 1987 as an undergraduate in Microbiology at the University of Minnesota. He was bitten by the brewing bug after taking a tour of Summit Brewing Company within a year after they had opened in St. Paul in 1987, and he has been going ever since. Joe later went to Graduate School at the University of Illinois and helped found the Boneyard Union of Zymurgical Zealots (BUZZ) Homebrew Club. He currently resides in Bolingbrook, IL, is a Director for a food ingredient company in Itasca, IL, and is a proud member of the Urban Knaves of Grain Homebrew Club. Joe holds a National Judge ranking with the BJCP, and is a previous Midwest Regional Rep and Vice President of the organization.
Over the years, Joe has received many honors related to homebrewing. He has won numerous BOS awards at local and regional competitions, is a 6 time winner of the Midwest Homebrewer of the Year award (1999, 2001-2004, 2007) and won the American Homebrewers Association Meadmaker of the Year award in 2004. Joe is a 2 time winner of the American Homebrewers Association Ninkasi Award (2000, 2006) for winningest brewer in the final round of judging, and was honored as being named one of the two homebrewer winners of the 2011 Sam Adams Longshot American Homebrewing Competition with his Russian Imperial Stout, which was distributed nationally in the 2012 Longshot multipack.
My articles
AB InBev unveiled a commercial during Super Bowl LIII that focused on the differences between its Bud Light and MillerCoors's Miller Lite and Coors...
In the more than 30 years I have been a homebrewer, I’ve seen remarkable progress in both the homebrewing knowledge base as well as available...
My reviews
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Flor de Jamaica by Miel Brewery & Taproom is being evaluated as a Category 30A Spice, Herb and Vegetable Beer with a Category 27 Historical Beer – Gose base as per the 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines.
The aroma has a moderate tart lactic character along with a... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
Oatsmobile Ale is a good example of a Session IPA with enough body and flavor to satisfy and compensate for the style's hallmark – a lack of alcohol.
Moderately complex dank hop characteristics dominate the aroma, with the earthy dankness augmented by roasted onion and garlic notes up... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
What The F$@! Is A Kilometer Special Bitter by Moniker Brewery is a quaffable rendition of the Best Bitter style. This brew represents the style rather well, but could stand a few tweaks to make it stand out from the rest. This is being evaluated as a Category 11B,... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
33 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20
Sunlight Cream Ale by Sun King, like most offerings of the 2015 BJCP Category 1C Cream Ale style, is a rather simple beer. This is typically an entry level style for those first initiates into the Craft beer scene. As such, Sunshine fits the criteria, being unassuming, yet with enough... Read More
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Thai Peanut Brown Ale by Right Brain Brewery is a unique experience to be sure. This is meant in a very positive way, and if you are a fan of Pad Thai (as I am), this will definitely fit the bill! This Brown Ale with spicy Thai peanut butter is being evaluated as a Category 30A Spice, Herb and... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
24 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
Found by Upland Brewing Co. is a very straightforward, uncomplicated American Wild Ale (Cat 28B – Mixed Fermentation Wild Ale as per the 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines) that is a bit “wilder” than most, using a culture isolated from the Smoky Mountain wilds for fermentation. It appears that this... Read More