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Scott Birdwell

Scott Birdwell's picture
Beer Judge

Scott became interested in quality beer while traveling Europe in the summer of 1977, discovering the beer in Great Britain, Germany & Czechoslovakia. After seeing some homebrewing supplies in shop windows in the U.K., his interest was piqued. When he returned back to Houston he stopped by DeFalco’s, bought some supplies and equipment and made his first batch of beer. It wasn’t great, but it was drinkable! 

When he returned to DeFalco’s to purchase his second set of ingredients, he was offered a part-time job there. Scott jumped at the opportunity! After purchasing the business in 1980, forty-one years after he first set foot in the door, Scott is still there!

Scott helped organize the Foam Rangers in January 1981 and the first Dixie Cup Homebrew Competition in 1984. When the BJCP was formed in 1985 as a joint venture of the American Homebrewers Association and the Home Wine & Beer Trade Association, Scott became an early participant. He became the program’s first Master Judge in the summer of 1988, by virtue of scoring over 90 points on the exam and accumulating the requisite 40 experience points. He administered several exams in the Houston area in the late 80s/early 90s including the first exam in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area around that time.

Scott has served several offices in the Home Wine & Beer Trade Association, including treasurer, vice-president and president. He also served for several years on the initial Board of Advisors to the AHA in the early 90s. Scott has been awarded the Instone Trophy Recognition Award for the HWBTA in 1996 as well as the AHA Governing Committee Recognition Award in 2001, but perhaps his real claim to fame is having a 240-barrel bright beer tank named after him at St. Arnold’s Brewing Co.!

My reviews

Dark Woods Barrel-Aged Stout

Dark Woods Barrel-Aged Stout

Dark Woods Barrel-Aged Stout, Batson River Brewing
Description 

Aged for over 6 months in our own Bourbon & Rum barrels and expertly blended for a velvety, smooth 9.3% imperial stout. You can expect a rich, mocha profile supported by creamy vanilla & luscious chocolate notes.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
9.3%
IBUs: 
53
Served at: 
52º F
Malts: 
Maris Otter, Pale, Munich, Crystal, Special B, Flaked Barley, Roasted Barley, Chocolate Wheat, Aromatic, Roasted Barley
Hops: 
Magnum, East Kent Goldings

 

 


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Judges Rating:
95
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

Dark Woods Barrel-Aged Stout by Batson River Brewing & Distilling was judged as a Specialty Wood-Aged (Style 33B) per the 2021 BJCP Style Guidelines.

Dark Woods Barrel-Aged Stout weighs in at a hefty 9.3% abv. My sample arrived well-cooled, but not cold. It poured very dark brown, and... Read More

Lyrical Poet

Lyrical Poet, Sun King Brewery
Judges Rating:
91
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Lyrical Poet by Sun King Brewery is an Imperial Stout aged with chocolate and raspberries for 13 months in bourbon whiskey barrels. It is considered a Mix-Style Beer (category 34B in the BJCP Guidelines). The trick with these mixed style beers is balancing the two different styles. Imperial... Read More

Thomas Hardy's Ale, The Historical 2018

Thomas Hardy's Ale, The Historical 2018

Thomas Hardy's Ale - The Historical 2018
Description 

Thomas Hardy’s Ale is a Barley Wine whose peculiar aromas and flavours can develop over the years with a taste that matures in a manner comparable to that of the finest red wines.
The first vintage dates back to 1968 and was inspired by the classic 19th century English Barley Wines. It was aged in oak barrels. Thomas Hardy’s Ale “The Historical” is a tribute to this honored tradition. This project has been released in a Limited Edition with the goal of placing Thomas Hardy’s Ale in wooden barrels and adopting aging techniques that change every year.
The 2018 edition of “The Historical” was matured for six months in Scotch whisky barrels, which releases its typical roasted and spicy notes, rounding up the warm and sweet aromas of Thomas Hardy’s Ale.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
13.7%
Served at: 
50 - 55º F
Malts: 
Warminster Marris Otter, Light Crystal
Hops: 
Fuggle, Golding

 

 


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Judges Rating:
93
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

Thomas Hardy's Ale, The Historical 2018 by Meantime Brewing Co. is being judged under category 33A, Wood-Aged Beer, with the base style being 17D, English Barleywine.

This strong ale pours deep mahogany brown in my glass, with a low level of carbonation and foam. Not surprising is the... Read More

La Mûre

La Mûre

Oregon
United States
La Mûre, 2 Towns Ciderhouse
Description 

Inspired by the historic lambic beers of Belgium, La Mûre embodies the Flemish styles of old. Northwest apples and Oregon grown Marion blackberries are fermented wild with Lactobacillus. Aged in Willamette Valley pinot noir barrels for one year, this unique cider is then removed from these dusty casks and bottle conditioned, revealing complex aromatics and a lactic tang that only time can unfold.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
6.9%
Served at: 
40 - 45º F

 

 


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Judges Rating:
81
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
18 / 24
Flavor:
32 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

La Mûre by 2 Towns Ciderhouse was judged as a Specialty Cider/Perry, BJCP Style C2F.

2 Towns Ciderhouse La Mûre Lambic-Style Cider pours a beautiful bright burgundy color. You can detect the lambic sourness in the nose, but not overwhelmingly so. The Marion Blackberries used in the cider... Read More

KEREL Kaishaku

KEREL Kaishaku

KEREL Kaishaku, Verbeeck-Back-De Cock Brewery
Description 

A specialty developed yeast allows us to work with a higher alcohol percentage. This high percentage combined with the use of specific varieties of hops creates an incomparable taste.
TASTING NOTES:
Ultimately Belgian with a Japanese twist.
Color: Suicide Blond
Character: Banzi / Bursting / Outré

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
15.0%
Served at: 
50 - 55º F

 

 


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Judges Rating:
84
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
18 / 24
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

KEREL Kaishaku by Verbeeck-Back-De Cock Brewery is being evaluated as a Belgian Golden Strong Ale (BJCP Style #25C). The beer pours deep golden in my glass with good clarity. The head, while not thick, does linger. Initial impressions from its bouquet is one of over-the-top alcohol content. Not... Read More

Double Dust

Double Dust, Pure Project Brewing
Judges Rating:
93
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

Double Dust by Pure Project Brewing is a sneaky strong Double IPA from the good folks in San Diego, California. It weighs in at 8.7 percent ABV! When poured into the glass, you know you have released a citrus bomb. The hop bouquet is very citrusy and quite intense. I don’t pick up a lot of malt... Read More

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