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Susan Ruud

Susan Ruud's picture
Beer Judge

Susan Ruud is a Grand Master IV BJCP judge and holds a mead certification.  She has been judging and making beer, mead and cider since 1996 and assisted in creating the Mead judge exam for the BJCP and was the assistant exam director from 2006 to 2013.   Susan was on the American Homebrewers Association Governing Committee from 2000 to 2017 and has held the office of secretary for this organization for many years.  She has been a judge for the Great American Beer Festival since 2000. 

Susan is married with two children and three grandchildren and works at North Dakota State University doing agricultural research in potatoes and canola. She has been there since 1990 and hopes to retire in the next year or so to work full time at the Meadery her husband and her have opened, Prairie Rose Meadery.

 

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My reviews

pFriem Winter Ale

Winter Ale by pFriem Family Brewers
Judges Rating:
90
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

This beer was judged as BJCP 2015 Category 19A – American Amber Ale.

This beer poured a wonderful copper/amber color with a huge off-white head and clear body. It had a pleasant citrus hop and grainy malt aroma that blended well with low, soft alcohol notes. The flavor followed the aroma... Read More

pFriem Brut IPA

pFriem Brut IPA, pFriem Family Brewers
Judges Rating:
91
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

pFriem Brut IPA by pFriem Family Brewers was judged as a 21A - American IPA. It poured a brilliantly clear yellow gold color with a huge white head and plenty of lacing. The nose was a beautiful, huge aroma of mango, papaya and melon hop notes with just a hint of bready malt in the background.... Read More

Oskar Blues IPA

Oskar Blues IPA Beer Can
Judges Rating:
86
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

The newest year-round offering from Oskar Blues has a nice earthy hop aroma with soft vanilla notes and tropical hop flavors blended with a soft malt presence in the background. An overly powerful garlicy aroma and flavor profile (presumably from the hop selection) distracts from the overall... Read More

Rustler IPA

Payette Beer Rustler IPA
Judges Rating:
91
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

This American IPA pours a beautiful dark golden to light amber color. The beer greets you with citrusy and spicy hops up front blended with a lightly toasted malt both in aroma and flavor. There are hints of spiciness, a touch of apricot and hints of pine blended in throughout. A clean and... Read More

pFriem Oud Bruin

Oud Bruin by pFriem Family Brewers
Judges Rating:
96
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
39 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

This beer was judged as an Oud Bruin using BJCP 2015 Category 23C.

This brew poured a lovely dark brown color with striking red highlights, a clear body with a huge, light tan head leaving behind pretty white lacing around the glass. This was a gorgeous beer that had me more than ready to... Read More

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