Superb hop-bitten fruit cocktail originally crafted by defunct Legacy Brewery returns to glory in 2011. Well-balanced IPA counters piney juniper thrust with lemon-curried peach, pineapple, pear, nectarine, and cantaloupe fruiting to sweet-malted honeyed wheat bed. Herbaceous undertones awaken grassy hay, alfalfa, and whey sway. Orange marmalade, ambrosia, and fennel add tertiary pleasantries. A distinguished treasure thankfully rescued from Pennsylvania dustbins.

On tap, admirable 15^th anniversary celebration (circa 2011) does Baltimore proud. Woody dry-hopped red-orange-yellow-fruited full body contrasts candied sugar malting against mildly resinous piney hop bittering and dark floral tinge. Ripe pineapple, grapefruit, apple, mango, peach, orange, and tangerine fruiting absorbs harsh grain-alcohol turpentine immersion.

On tap, intense limited edition barrel-aged Double India Pale Ale combines candi-sugared Belgian yeast with aggressive American hop bittering for fruitful medium-full-bodied paragon. Twig-leafed lemon-dried orange rind bittering contrasts lively peach-tangerine-grapefruit juicing and dark floral herbage, leaving advertised rye malting to linger in the alcohol-burnt midst. Crisp, clean, tropical-fruited splendor for serious hop-heads and casual IPA buffs.

Astonishing hazy copper double India Pale Ale strengthened by well-hidden 10.8% alcohol thrust is named in homage to 2009 hop shortage in America. Sugary caramel malting and sweet peach-tangerine-cantaloupe fruiting efficiently contrasted by piney resin-hopped orange-peeled grapefruit-juiced bittering. Crisp watered flow and mild spruce-tipped freshness allow lighter drinkers to enjoy its zesty punch alongside veritable hopheads.

Bright floral-fruited alacrity lacquers creamy caramel malting contrasting resinous piney-hopped mildness of affable medium-bodied Imperial IPA. Clandestine 9% alcohol vigor stays beneath grapefruit-sugared apricot-cherry-tangerine tang and setback pineapple-mango glisten. Recessive almond, pecan, and hazelnut illusions backup well-rounded ensemble.

Completely inviting well-balanced moderate-body proves you don’t have to knock people over the head with heavy hops to be an enjoyable India Pale Ale. Sweet-buttered caramel malting anchors lacquered peach-pear-grape ripening, juicy pink grapefruit tang, and ascending tropical-fruited pineapple-mango climax. Easygoing grassy-hopped pine nut bittering never overwhelms appreciative hibiscus-rosebud flowering to polite grain bottom. Softer golden-pale ale palates will appreciate its delicate tension. Hop heads should regale its durable 8% alcohol haze and ambitious fruiting.

Bold ‘ultra rare’ ’09 collaboration between California’s Stone Brewery and UK’s Brewdog could peculiarly pass for a creamy black chocolate-y oyster stout. Magnificent full-bodied cola-hued IPA brings bitter pine-sapped resin-hopped dry-fruited expectancy to chocolate-roasted coffee-soured burnt sugar malting. Citric cherry-plum illusions drape peat-smoked molasses, alleviating ashy charcoal acridity invading pine-sapped anise-stained mocha finish. In a class by itself.

On tap, lustrous golden amber full body drapes floral-spiced hops into massive fruity indulgence. Tangy peach-cherry-tangerine frontage and subsidiary banana-bruised pineapple-mango-grapefruit tropicalia regale subtle cereal-grained toasting. Resinous pine seeps into alcohol-burnt fructose finish. But advertised rice influence is negligible.

Worthy amber-hazed full body brings resinous piney-hopped grapefruit-orange rind bittering to sticky caramel malt sweetness swaying huge marzipan-almond imprint. Rum cake, pine nut, dark spice and floral illusions fill out rounded dry-fruited finish. A hop-head lover’s delight.