Judge’s Review: Desert Dawn by Southbound Brewing Co. is a Belgian Style Saison Ale brewed with elderberries and was judged as a Specialty Fruit Beer (BJCP sub-style 29C). It poured reddish-purple into the glass where it set up somewhat hazy with a modest white head consisting of small bubbles... Read More
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Michael McGuire
Beer Judge
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).
My reviews
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Devil’s Harvest Breakfast IPA by Southern Prohibition is a session-strength IPA and was judged as an American IPA (BJCP sub-style 21A). It poured very light, with a straw-like color and mostly clear into the glass, where it displayed a modest white head with moderate retention. Its aroma led off... Read More
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
31 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
15 / 20
Woodbreaker by Urban Artifact was described as a black cherry lemonade and a “Midwest Fruit Tart” with sweet dark cherries, lemon juice and vanilla beans, and it was judged as a Fruit and Spice Beer (BJCP sub-style 29B). In the glass it formed a mildly fizzy white head with virtually no... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
NITRO Cali Creamin’ by Mother Earth Brew Co. is a nitrogenated cream ale with vanilla and was judged as a Spice, Herb, or Vegetable beer (BJCP sub-style 30A).
It poured light gold and slightly hazy into the glass, forming a thick, long-lasting white head formed by the gas used to... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Fancy Pants by Urban South Brewery was judged as a Spice, Herb or Vegetable Beer (BJCP sub-style 30A).
It poured dark mahogany and opaque into the glass, producing a thick white head with robust retention. The aroma featured intense... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
15 / 20
This beer poured clear and gold with a relatively thin white head. The aroma emphasized wheat malt, mild yeastiness and light spices (e.g. white pepper). The flavor profile begins and ends with restrained wheat malt sweetness, light fruity esters (e.g. pear and/or apricot) and hops. The... Read More