Better Life Choices IPA by Atwater Brewery is a great example of a well-crafted IPA that clearly bucks the trend against the typical “hop smackdown” IPA offerings. This is a very flavorful IPA that still delivers great balance and drinkability, and should be a definite go to brew if available... Read More
Start 14-Day Trial Subscription
*No credit card required
Joseph Formanek
Beer Judge
Joe Formanek started homebrewing in 1987 as an undergraduate in Microbiology at the University of Minnesota. He was bitten by the brewing bug after taking a tour of Summit Brewing Company within a year after they had opened in St. Paul in 1987, and he has been going ever since. Joe later went to Graduate School at the University of Illinois and helped found the Boneyard Union of Zymurgical Zealots (BUZZ) Homebrew Club. He currently resides in Bolingbrook, IL, is a Director for a food ingredient company in Itasca, IL, and is a proud member of the Urban Knaves of Grain Homebrew Club. Joe holds a National Judge ranking with the BJCP, and is a previous Midwest Regional Rep and Vice President of the organization.
Over the years, Joe has received many honors related to homebrewing. He has won numerous BOS awards at local and regional competitions, is a 6 time winner of the Midwest Homebrewer of the Year award (1999, 2001-2004, 2007) and won the American Homebrewers Association Meadmaker of the Year award in 2004. Joe is a 2 time winner of the American Homebrewers Association Ninkasi Award (2000, 2006) for winningest brewer in the final round of judging, and was honored as being named one of the two homebrewer winners of the 2011 Sam Adams Longshot American Homebrewing Competition with his Russian Imperial Stout, which was distributed nationally in the 2012 Longshot multipack.
My reviews
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Éphémère Strawberry & Rhubarb by Unibroue is an offering with quite intense fruit character, though the base Belgian beer character, particularly the fermentation flavor, is somewhat subtle. Considering that the base beer is a Wit, this is a bit more acceptable. This beer is being evaluated... Read More
Appearance:
6 / 6
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Jucifer by Gnarly Barley Brewing Co. is a very flavorful and aroma-forward take on the BJCP 21B Specialty IPA – New England IPA style. This one has aroma and flavor aplenty and really stands up for itself very well.
Extremely dank hop aromas (Citra, Mosaic, Simcoe) dominate the nose upon... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Intensified Coffee Porter is a collaboration between Brooklyn Brewery, El Salvadoran coffee growers, an East Coast coffee roaster and a Kentucky bourbon distillery. All of their efforts are evident in this monstrously large porter, clocking in at 11.8 percent ABV.
The powerful aroma has... Read More
Appearance:
4 / 6
Aroma:
24 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Surf Rock Candy Shandy by Pontoon Brewing is an interesting take on the BJCP 10A German Wheat/Weissbier style, with tropical fruits being added to the base Weizen beer. As such, this is being evaluated as a BJCP 29A Fruit been with a category 10A base. The selection... Read More
Appearance:
5 / 6
Aroma:
24 / 24
Flavor:
39 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
When you hear the words "Hop Slam" the immediate expectation is of a brew with an overwhelming and one-dimensional hop character assault on the senses. In fact, while there is solid hop presence in this beer, it offers much more – delivering a well-crafted and delicious overall package.
... Read More