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Michael Heniff

Michael Heniff's picture
Beer Judge

Mike brewed his first few homebrew batches in college in 1994 and began regularly brewing in 1997.  Since then, he has brewed over 150 batches of beer, mead, and cider.  He has won over 200 medals and numerous major awards in competitions across the country.  His highest accomplishments include winning the Templeton Award (most points) of the Dixie Cup (one of the largest single-site homebrew competitions in the world) a record four times, Gulf Coast Homebrewer of the Year, and Lone Star Circuit Homebrewer of the Year.  He has had his recipes brewed at commercial breweries seven times.

Mike particularly enjoys traveling to find new beers.  He has made numerous travels abroad to find great beer, most frequently to Belgium and Germany.  He has logged over 6800 beers in his tasting journal, including over 620 beers from Belgium alone.  Mike has had brewing and beer travel articles published by Brew Your Own and Zymurgy magazines.

Mike is a current member of the Houston Foam Rangers Homebrew Club where he has held numerous officer positions.  He was also the founding President of the Lone Star Circuit and a former long time officer. He currently ranks as a Grand Master III BJCP judge.  He has judged in over 70 competitions across the United States, frequently serving on Best of Show panels.

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My reviews

Motorworks Oktoberfest

Motorworks Oktoberfest, Motorworks Brewing
Judges Rating:
87
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

Motorworks Oktoberfest by Motorworks Brewing​ is a Marzen and is being evaluated as a Marzen (category 6A from the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines).  Marzens are known for being rich, malty lagers with the malt character focused on bready and toasty flavors. 

This Marzen pours amber in... Read More

Villager

fort point beer ipa
Judges Rating:
81
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
6 / 10
Overall Impression:
14 / 20

This canned IPA is brewed with Jarrylo, Warrior and Centennial hops. The aroma is prominently hoppy with characters of floral, citrus, perfume and tangerine with very little malt to be found. The flavor is slightly less hoppy than the aroma with herbal, grassy, floral hops along with light... Read More

Stick Shift Lager

Stick Shift Lager

California
United States
Stick Shift Lager, Garage Brewing Co.
Description 

This crisp, clean and refreshing beer has a low ABV making it perfect for those lazy afternoons when you are cruisin' at home (or on vacation) and want to enjoy the great taste of a craft beer without getting too buzzed.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
3.9%

 

 


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Judges Rating:
95
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

Stick Shift Lager by Garage Brewing Co. is an American Light Lager and is being evaluated as an American Light Lager (category 1A from the 2021 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). American Light Lagers are known for their very light flavor profile, low bitterness and high... Read More

Judges Rating:
88
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Anchor Christmas Ale - 2019 by Anchor Brewing Co. is a spiced beer and is being evaluated as a Winter Seasonal Beer (category 30C from the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Winter Seasonal Beers are spiced beers that are suggestive of Christmas or the winter season (such as mulling spices or... Read More

Mosaicism

Mosaicism by Grist Brewing Co.
Judges Rating:
95
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

This single hop Mosaic session IPA measures in at 4.6% abv and 52 IBU.  The aroma is very prominently Mosaic hops with aromas of citrus, tropical fruit, mango, and a bit of dankness.  The hop flavor is slightly cleaner with citrus, peaches, mangoes, and  herbs with a background of nutty malt. ... Read More

KEREL Saison

KEREL Saison

Belgium
KEREL Saison, Verbeeck-Back-De Cock Brewery
Description 

Everybody knows that if you want a great summer body, you need to work on it during winter. The same goes for this beer’s complex body of flavors. It is traditionally brewed during winter and savoured during spring / summer. It’s usually very fruity with deep earthy yeast tones and a mild tartness. The VBDCK version has all of that, plus a dry character and medium bitterness perfectly suited to bathing suit season and beyond.

Taste: This easy to love thirst quencher uses different kinds of hops and grains so you’ll discover new aspects of its flavor with every sip or swallow

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
5.5%

 

 


The rating and full judge's review for this product is available only to premium subscribers.

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Options start for only $9.95!


Judges Rating:
87
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

KEREL Saison by Verbeek-Back-De Cock Brewery is a Saison and is being evaluated as a Saison (category 25B in the 2021 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines).  Saisons are typically well-carbonated and well-attenuated ales with a complex balance between phenolics, esters, and hops... Read More

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