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Michael Heniff

Michael Heniff's picture
Beer Judge

Mike brewed his first few homebrew batches in college in 1994 and began regularly brewing in 1997.  Since then, he has brewed over 150 batches of beer, mead, and cider.  He has won over 200 medals and numerous major awards in competitions across the country.  His highest accomplishments include winning the Templeton Award (most points) of the Dixie Cup (one of the largest single-site homebrew competitions in the world) a record four times, Gulf Coast Homebrewer of the Year, and Lone Star Circuit Homebrewer of the Year.  He has had his recipes brewed at commercial breweries seven times.

Mike particularly enjoys traveling to find new beers.  He has made numerous travels abroad to find great beer, most frequently to Belgium and Germany.  He has logged over 6800 beers in his tasting journal, including over 620 beers from Belgium alone.  Mike has had brewing and beer travel articles published by Brew Your Own and Zymurgy magazines.

Mike is a current member of the Houston Foam Rangers Homebrew Club where he has held numerous officer positions.  He was also the founding President of the Lone Star Circuit and a former long time officer. He currently ranks as a Grand Master III BJCP judge.  He has judged in over 70 competitions across the United States, frequently serving on Best of Show panels.

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My reviews

La Brea Brown

Fossil Cove Beer La Brea Brown Ale
Judges Rating:
84
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
18 / 24
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

Self-described as a "Belgian Style Brown Ale," this beer unfortunately lacks many of the primary characteristics of Belgian ales -- especially fruity esters and peppery phenolics. The canned ale pours dark brown with a big tan head and excellent head retention. The aroma is moderately nutty with... Read More

None of This Makes Sense

None of This Makes Sense

Virginia
United States
None of This Makes Sense, Hardywood Park Craft Brewery
Description 

Bursting with pineapple and citrus notes, None Of This Makes Sense is an NE-Style Double IPA dry-hopped with Mosaic and El Dorado hops. With a smooth body and no lingering bitterness, this beer makes perfect sense.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
7.5%
IBUs: 
0
Served at: 
45º F
Malts: 
Pale Malt, Pilsner Malt
Hops: 
El Dorado, Mosaic

 

 


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Judges Rating:
88
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

None of this Makes Sense by Hardywood Park Craft Brewery is a Double New England-style IPA and is being evaluated as a Specialty IPA (category 21B in the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). The focus of the Double IPA style is hops, hops and more hops. Additionally,... Read More

Judges Rating:
85
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

Vacanza Coconut Cream Pie by Wild Leap Brew Co. is a fruited Gose and is being evaluated as a Fruit Beer (category 29 in the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). The fruit in Fruit Beers should complement the base style without overwhelming it. Gose beers are highly carbonated, slightly tart wheat... Read More

Judges Rating:
85
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
19 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Pfungstadter Weizen Radler is a canned radler and is being evaluated as a Fruit Beer (2015 BJCP Category 29A) according to the BJCP guidelines. But, the BJCP guidelines do not specifically include radler as a style and none of the BJCP categories are very applicable to this type of beer.... Read More

Peanut Butter Cup Cassowary

Peanut Butter Cup Cassowary

Peanut Butter Cup Cassowary, Hardywood Park Craft Brewery
Description 

Fresh Cassowary imperial milk stout is finished on cocoa nibs and peanut butter to create a rich and velvety dessert beer from a favorite classic pairing.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
11.0%
IBUs: 
35
Served at: 
50º F
Malts: 
Pale Malt, Pilsner Malt, Crystal Medium, Chocolate Malt
Hops: 
Columbus, UK Challenger

 

 


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Judges Rating:
93
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Peanut Butter Cup Cassowary by Hardywood Park Craft Brewery is a flavored Imperial Milk Stout and is being evaluated as a Spice, Herb or Vegetable Beer (category 30A from the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Spice, Herb or Vegetable Beers should have a harmonious... Read More

Small Stash Reserve - Barrel Aged Doppelbock 2020

Small Stash Reserve - Barrel Aged Doppelbock 2020

Colorado
United States
Small Stash Reserve - Barrel Aged Dopplebock 2020, Seedstock Brewery
Description 

We brewed this Barrel-Aged Doppelbock with our friends at Laws Whiskey and Propagate Labs. This beer has been aging quietly in a Laws bourbon barrel for a year. It is ruby in color with aromatic notes of vanilla, oak and caramel. It is deliciously smooth, with dark fruits (dates, plum and fig) and a subtle finish of warm bourbon notes.

Beverage Profile
Served at: 
45º F
Malts: 
Floor malted Bohemian Pilsner, Munich, Chocolate
Hops: 
Perle, Saaz

 

 


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Options start for only $9.95!


Judges Rating:
93
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

Barrel Aged Dopplebock 2020 by Seedstock Brewery is a barrel-aged Doppelbock and is being evaluated as a Wood-Aged Beer (category 33A in the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). The best examples of Wood-Aged Beers have a "harmonious blend" between the base beer and the wood/spirits resulting in a... Read More

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