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Rodney A. Tillinghast

Rodney A. Tillinghast's picture
Beer Judge

Rodney Tillinghast has been pursuing the perfect pint after his first sip of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale in a Buffalo tavern in 1988.  Since then, he expanded his beer horizons at every opportunity, including homebrewing for the past 25 years, being a BJCP beer judge for 21 years, working commercially as a brewer at Brown’s Brewing Company for a spell, and tasting beer throughout his travels all across the US and abroad.  He attained the BJCP rank of National Judge early in 2015.  

Rodney presently lives in North Carolina with his “beer widow” wife and two fine sons.

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My reviews

Captain's Daughter

Captain's Daughter IPA Beer Grey Sail Brewing
Judges Rating:
95
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

A style with all of the subtleness of a tomahawk to the skull: Double IPA. But, for beer lovers and those who appreciate hop-derived goodness, this beer is a home run. 

The brew pours a dank, hazy yellow with a billowy head and persistent lacing during the entire glass.Various aromas... Read More

Improved Old Fashioned

Brooklyn Brewery Improved Old Fashioned beer
Judges Rating:
92
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

This complex, vinous beer opened up initially with significant amounts of lemon zest, clove and a touch of Angostura bitter aromas. It was also underpinned with cinnamon and star anise. The brew poured a very murky brown, with a quickly dissipating head and very limited carbonation. Upon... Read More

Eureka Nerd

Judges Rating:
86
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

The muddled orange fizziness of the IPA (Style guideline 21A –American IPA) settled in my glass. It was topped with a spectacularly white head, which held firm as I readied my notebook. While it sat, firm aromas of navel orange, papaya, grapefruit and mango leapt from the glass. As I focused on... Read More

Trooper Light Brigade

Trooper Light Brigade, Robinsons Brewery
Judges Rating:
78
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
32 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
15 / 20

Robinsons Trooper Light Brigade by Robinsons Brewery was judged as a British Golden Ale (Style 12A). This beer features robust golden color, extremely clear in the glass, with a small head that fell quickly but not excessively lacking for lace. 

Slight biscuit aroma, becoming more... Read More

Flagship

Grey Sail Brewing Flagship Beer
Judges Rating:
83
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

Face it — American craft cream ales don’t get much respect. You never see anyone at the bar furiously logging into their favorite beer rating service to proclaim the greatness of a newly discovered American craft cream ale. It just doesn’t happen like that.

This example of the style pours... Read More

On Fleek

Stillwater On Fleek Imperial Stout Casita Cerveceria
Judges Rating:
95
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

This ale tumbled into the glass like hot oil draining from a car’s drainplug. I picked up my snifter to check it against the light, but to no avail -- it would not give up its secrets so easily. A thick, tobacco-colored foam lifted towards the top, and stayed in place during the entire sampling... Read More

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