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Pete Garofalo

Pete Garofalo's picture
Beer Judge

A Grand Master IV beer judge, Pete has been appreciating good beers since the days when locating a tavern with two “alternative” taps was a major find. He has been a homebrewer since 1991 and an active member of the Beer Judge Certification Program since 1994. He formerly served on the BJCP Board of Directors as the Northeast/International representative and remains active as a judge. 

 

BJCP Certificate

My reviews

HopBack

HopBack Troegs Beer
Judges Rating:
84
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

The initial aroma is of caramel and toasty malt, followed by woody, earthy hops that have a pithy character. Moderate strawberry esters have an overripe fruitiness, with a low-level sour/sulfury quality that is distracting. The flavor starts off with moderately toasted caramelly malts that are... Read More

Organic Pale Ale

Samuel Smith's Organic Pale Ale beer
Judges Rating:
89
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

The aroma of this beer initially came across as a mélange of fruit: strawberries, raspberries, cherries, and stone fruit with a touch of honey. The flavor features nutty, biscuity malt with hints of caramel and toffee that fade as a sharp wave of minerally bitterness washes through mid-taste.... Read More

Jacobite Ale

Jacobite Ale
Judges Rating:
91
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Spicy woodiness greets the nose followed by a caramel/toffee malt with a whiff of alcohol. Fruity character includes a dark dried fruit (fig, date, raisin). The flavor focuses first on the malt then adds a touch of woodiness, drying out as spiciness emerges toward the finish. Alcohol is subtle,... Read More

Old Brown Dog

Old Brown Dog Smuttynose Beer
Judges Rating:
87
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

Malt dominates this beer with tones of chocolate, nutty toastiness and dark dry fruit. Hops are restrained and allow the malt to shine with its many layers including cocoa, bread crust and light caramel. Hop bitterness is just enough to balance the complex malt and alcohol dries out the finish.... Read More

Judges Rating:
86
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Dark fruity esters and rich malt rule the aroma, with elements of raisin, fig, and date complementing the lush malt backbone of molasses, chocolate, and roast grain. Some barrel-derived wood character contributes a coconut aspect that adds to the overall appeal. The first sip reveals rich, chewy... Read More

Judges Rating:
86
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Peaches initially leap out from this beer with a sugary, candylike quality. As the aroma opens up, some spicy/peppery yeast character and grainy/bready malt join in. The flavor continues the peach-first theme, buttressed by apricot and tangerine notes. The fruit is supported by bready malt with... Read More

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