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
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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:
5 / 6
Aroma:
24 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
Rhymes With Purple by Bhramari Brewing Co. is a delicious and refreshing take on a fruited Berliner Weisse. While the strength of the beer takes it above the expected range for the style, the berry character of the presentation complements the character of the base beer very well. This beer is... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Upland Dantalion Dark Wild Ale is a well-crafted American Sour that has the potential to improve with age.
The aroma of this brew is very complex with cherry, apple, sour fruit and spicy notes. There is a strong Lacto character along with some brown sherry aromas. Visually, this well-... Read More
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