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Mike started homebrewing in 1983 in Baton Rouge, LA. He subsequently continued brewing when life took him to Grayslake, IL, Lancaster, PA, Vienna, VA, and Raleigh, NC. He was a founding member of the Lancaster County Brewers homebrew club, and later a member of the Brewers United for Real Potables (BURP), Wort Hogs, and Cary, Apex, & Raleigh Brewers of Yore (CARBOY) clubs.
He took the BJCP exam in 2000, became certified in 2002, and achieved National rank in 2005. In addition to judging in many regional and national AHA-sponsored competitions since 2000, he has judged in several state-specific competitions for professional breweries (e.g., the Virginia Craft Beer Cup and the Maryland Governor’s Cup).
King Cake Sour by Urban South Brewery is described as a “milkshake sour” and was judged as a wild specialty beer (BJCP sub-style 28C). It poured gold and mostly clear into the glass, forming a thick white head with excellent retention.
The aroma initially... Read More
This beer poured clear and pale gold with a very thick white head, which was present throughout the taste (as expected of a beer with nitrogenation). The nose was relatively mild, featuring wheat malt primarily. The double-edged sword of serving lighter beer styles on nitrogen is in some ways... Read More
Mystery Ship is a red ale brewed with Brettanomyces yeast (Brett) and dry-hopped. As such, by definition it has both distinctive sour and “funky,” and intensely hoppy, aromas and flavors. It poured brownish-red and hazy into the glass, sporting a thick tan-white head with good retention. The... Read More
Flotation Device Berliner Weisse - Moscow Mule by Pontoon Brewing is a Berliner Weisse brewed with ginger and lime, and was judged as a Fruit and Spice Beer (BJCP sub-style 29B). This beer, which is a creative take on the popular Moscow Mule cocktail, poured bright light amber and clear into the... Read More
Vacanza by Wild Leap Brew Co. was described as a “Tangerine Hibiscus Gose” and was judged as a Fruit and Spice Beer (BJCP sub-style 29B). In the glass it formed a thin white head atop a somewhat hazy reddish-orange brew. The aroma consisted of floral hibiscus notes followed by sweet citrus ones... Read More
Alcatraz Double Cold Brew by Alcatraz Brewing is an Imperial Stout with cold-brewed coffee and was judged as a Spice, Herb or Vegetable Beer (BJCP sub-style 30A). It poured black and opaque into the glass, forming a moderately thick white head with somewhat rapid dissipation. Its aroma featured... Read More
