The Bluprint by Birds Fly South Ale Project is an extremely dank rendition of the BJCP 21A American IPA style. There is an indication that guava is being used to a certain level in this recipe, however as it might be at background level, it will not be evaluated as a Cat. 29A Fruit Beer. While... Read More
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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 reviews
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
24 / 24
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Takeout Rye IPA is a well-crafted example of a mild rye-based ale, but is a bit too subtle to be considered a truly exemplary Rye IPA.
This brilliantly clear, amber-colored brew with a somewhat fleeting white head starts out with a touch of woody hop aroma with a background rye spicy note... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Lemon Blueberry Blonde by Low Road Brewing is a surprisingly approachable offering in the Category 29A Fruit Beer as per the 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines with the base beer being a Blond Ale. While the balance between the fruits/berries used is perhaps not ideal, the... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
39 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
Roughtail’s 3rd Anniversary Ale is a very solid Double IPA. It is also an example of the recent trend in the industry towards murky, hazy IPAs. Visually, this moderately carbonated brew pours a very cloudy gold with a solid, creamy and small head with some lace. The assertive aroma in this brew... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
24 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
Chocolate Factory by Clocktown Brewing Co.is an impressive example of how judicious use of chocolate in a solid base stout recipe can deliver a great marriage of flavors in a complete beer package. This brew is being evaluated as a Category 30A Spice, Herb and... Read More
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
33 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20
The aroma of this brew is quite fruity with a considerable amount of cherry and berry character, along with a light barnyard funk and aromatic sourness. The base dubbel makes itself known with an evident brown malt and light raisin aroma. Visually, this somewhat lightly carbonated, quite clear,... Read More