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Michael McGuire

Michael McGuire's picture
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).

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My reviews

Samuel Adams Nitro IPA

Sam Adams Nitro IPA Beer
Judges Rating:
92
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

This beer poured clear orange with a very thick white nitro-enhanced head. The aroma was full of fruity (pear) esters and hop notes including some initial grassy ones. The intensity of the aromas was a pleasant surprise since some hop-forward nitro beers have their aroma suppressed by a thick... Read More

Blackbeard's Breakfast

Blackbeard's Breakfast

Maryland
United States
Blackbeard's Breakfast, Heavy Seas Beer
Description 

Blackbeard's Breakfast is a robust porter with a new world twist. Aged in bourbon barrels and brewed with Chesapeake Bay Roasting Company's Dark Sumatra coffee, this porter is flavorful and complex. Featuring unique English malts, this brew will have strong notes of caramel and a slight nut character. Paired with bourbon notes and the sumptuous Sumatran Coffee, Blackbeard's breakfast will please coffee and beer connoisseurs alike.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
10%
IBUs: 
40
Malts: 
UK Pale, UK Amber, Vienna, Light Crystal, Dark Crystal, Chocolate Malt, Black Malt
Hops: 
Target, East Kent Goldings

 

 


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Judges Rating:
94
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

Blackbeard’s Breakfast by Heavy Seas is a Bourbon Barrel Aged Porter brewed with coffee and was judged as a Specialty Wood-Aged Beer (BJCP sub-style 33B). It poured very dark brown (opaque) into the glass, sporting a thick creamy tan head with moderate retention.

The nose featured dark... Read More

Beyond the Clouds

Beyond the Clouds, Monday Night Brewing
Judges Rating:
87
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Beyond the Clouds by Monday Night Brewing is a Brett IPA (BJCP sub-style 28A, Brett Beer, under American Wild Ale). In the glass it formed a, thick, white, well-retained head atop a golden-orange brew that became hazy with warming (much like a New England IPA). The aroma led off with profoundly... Read More

Cape May Honey Porter

Cape May Honey Porter

New Jersey
United States
Honey Porter, Cape May Brewing Co.
Description 

Here's a taste of South Jersey, better known for farms than fist pumping. Roasted and dark crystal malts shine through in a smooth and light-bodied porter that is balanced by a hint of sweetness thanks to the local Jersey Fresh honey. Welcome to the Garden State, bro. Apiology is the bee's knees!

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
5.4%
IBUs: 
35
Malts: 
Pilsner, Caramunich III, Carafa II, Carafa III
Hops: 
Bravo, Saaz

 

 


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Judges Rating:
85
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Honey Porter by Cape May Brewing Co. is an American Porter with honey (judged as an American Porter - BJCP sub-style 20A in conjunction with sub-style 31B – Alternative Sugar Beer). In the glass it formed a thin, modestly retained white head atop an opaque dark brown brew. The aroma began with... Read More

Passion Project Berliner Weisse

Passion Project Berliner Weisse

Louisiana
United States
Passion Project Berliner Weisse, Gnarly Barley Brewing
Beverage Profile
ABV: 
4.8%
Malts: 
Pilsen, Wheat
Hops: 
Cascade

 

 


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Judges Rating:
85
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
33 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Passion Project by Gnarly Barley Brewing Co. is a Berliner Weisse brewed with passion fruit and was judged as a Fruit Beer (BJCP sub-style 29A, with consideration of its base style BJCP sub-style 23A). It poured a light gold-orange color with some haze into the glass,... Read More

Grains of Truth

Grains of Truth Ommegang Beer
Judges Rating:
94
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

Pouring orange with a thick white head, this beer’s aroma is heavily redolent of Belgian yeast with plenty of orange in the nose, and a bitter spiciness from rye, brewing spices and bittering hops. The promise of the aroma is fulfilled in the flavor profile, which is full of fruity esters and... Read More

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