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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

Colonel Kernel

Colonel Kernel The Bruery Beer
Judges Rating:
94
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
20 / 20

This bourbon barrel-aged Barleywine comes in at an astounding 14.8% ABV. The name is a homonym, referring to one of the ingredients: Corn (don’t worry, you can’t taste the corn in this one!). Upon pouring, the beer is brown and muddy with a wisp of head that quickly fades. The aroma is very... Read More

Apple Brandy Barrel Aged Barleywine

Apple Brandy Barrel Aged Barleywine

Apple Brandy Barrel Aged Barleywine, pFriem Family Brewers
Description 

Apple Brandy Barleywine is highly spirited, yet nuanced, with notes of bourbon, toffee and creme brûlée. It’s aged in American Oak with sturdy tannins and a robust ABV for the most analog of pleasures—like chit-chatting with friends or sauntering old cobblestone streets aglow in romance.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
11.8%
IBUs: 
45
Served at: 
40 - 45º F
Malts: 
Simpsons Golden Promise
Hops: 
Chinook, Cascade

 

 


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Judges Rating:
92
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Apple Brandy Barrel Aged Barleywine by pFriem Family Brewers is being evaluated as a Specialty Wood-Aged Beer (category 33B from the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Specialty Wood-Aged Beers are aged in spirit barrels and should have a harmonious blend between the... Read More

Stiegl Goldbräu

Goldbräu, Stiegl
Judges Rating:
85
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
19 / 24
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

Stiegl Goldbräu by Stiegl​ is an Austrian vollbier (generic moderate alcohol beer) and is being evaluated as a Munich Helles (category 4A in the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines).  Munich Helles are golden lagers with a moderate pils malt character with a slight hop presence throughout. Per... Read More

Albino Stout

Albino Stout by Grist Brewing Co.
Judges Rating:
90
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Being light in color but with stout-like flavors is quite the unusual objective for this beer.  Light golden at 4 SRM, the appearance certainly meets objective number one.  The aroma is a rich, roasty coffee with hints of chocolate in the background.  The flavor displays even more chocolate than... Read More

Alpha Abstraction Vol. 21

Alpha Abstraction Vol. 21

Georgia
United States
Alpha Abstraction Vol. 21, Wild Leap Brew Co.
Description 

Alpha Abstraction Vol. 21 is a juicy, double dry-hopped IPA with Idaho Gem hops. This is the twenty-first edition of the series, with a varied hop profile in each volume.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
8.0%

 

 


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

Alpha Abstraction Vol. 21 by Wild Leap Brew Co. is a Double IPA and is being evaluated as a Double IPA (category 22A in the 2021 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). The focus of the Double IPA style is hops, hops and more hops. Additionally, despite being a high-alcohol... Read More

Singillis Donker

Singillis Donker, Singillis Bieren
Judges Rating:
92
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Singillis Donker by Singillis Bieren​ is being evaluated as a Belgian Dark Strong Ale (category 26D in the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Belgian Dark Strong Ales are deceptively strong dark beers that have a harmony of rich malt, fruity esters and peppery phenolics. Singillis Bieren​ is... Read More

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