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Joseph Formanek

Joseph Formanek's picture
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 reviews

Loving Cup

Loving Cup - Southbound Beer
Judges Rating:
91
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Southbound Brewing Co’s. Loving Cup is an interesting take on the traditional Saison style. This light golden-colored slightly hazy brew with an impressive head exhibits the appearance and the Belgian fermentation character that's expected of the style. A mildly earthy and slightly tart... Read More

Cinnabun Pastry Stout

Cinnabun Pastry Stout

California
United States
Cinnabun Pastry Stout, Garage Brewing Co.
Description 

Reminiscent of a classic breakfast treat, this Pastry Stout will delight your taste buds.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
9.5%

 

 


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Judges Rating:
92
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Cinnabun Pastry Stout by Garage Brewing Co. is a good example of the dessert style. Though there are a few quibbles, it is a quite deep and complex treat as would be expected for the style. This brew is being evaluated as a 30A Spice, Herb and Vegetable Beer with... Read More

Easy Chair

Easy Chair Upland Beer
Judges Rating:
85
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Upland’s Easy Chair Amber Ale is an example of a subtle, well-balanced brew. However, by having that subtleness and balance, it lacks aroma or flavor characteristics that jump out to allow this brew to stand out amongst its peers. Aroma-wise, this clear, amber-brown brew with a rather fleeting... Read More

pFriem Canadian Lager

pFriem Canadian Lager

Oregon
United States
pFriem Canadian Lager, pFriem Family Brewers
Description 

Inspired by our friends to the North, this Canadian Lager sparkles like glacial snow melt, pouring almost translucent, snappy with light aromas of ripening grain fields, orange flower blossom and fresh pastry. It’s off the crushability charts!

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
5.0%
IBUs: 
10
Served at: 
40 - 45º F
Malts: 
CMC Superior Pilsen, Gambrinus Pilsner, Rice Syrup
Hops: 
Perle, Tettnang

 

 


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Judges Rating:
95
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

pFriem Canadian Lager by pFriem Family Brewers is an exceptional example of the BJCP Category 2A International Pale Lager as per the 2021 BJCP style guidelines. Canadian lagers have typically been distinctive when compared to their American cousins due to a brighter, crisper and cleaner... Read More

Coffee Okie

Prairie Coffee Okie Beer
Judges Rating:
95
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
24 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

Prairie's Coffee Okie is a complex, barrel-aged spiced Imperial Brown Ale. This deep brown-colored brew with a rather quickly dissipating white head has a huge roasted coffee aroma with moderate levels of raisin, whiskey, chocolate and oak character. Very appetizing!

The first sip... Read More

Clausthaler IPA

Clausthaler IPA

Clausthaler IPA, Radeberger Gruppe
Description 

The new dry hopped Clausthaler IPA is the latest addition in the long tradition of great tasting brews from Clausthaler – the German pioneer of non-alcoholic beers. Cascade Hops and the dry-hopping brewing method make Clausthaler IPA a crisp full bodied brew with straightforward hoppy character. The result: a deep golden, unfiltered masterpiece – The German way of IPA.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
0.5%

 

 


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Judges Rating:
90
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Clausthaler IPA by Radeberger is being evaluated per the 2021 BJCP Guidelines as a Category 21C, Hazy IPA, though this is a non-alcoholic example. Clausthauer IPA is an example of a “new wave” of non-alcoholic beers, taking its cue from a more modern popular craft beer... Read More

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