On tap at Andy’s Corner Bar, fantastic bourbon-barrled oatmeal stout soothingly coalesces residual wood flavoring from Elijah Craig, Four Roses, Pappy Van Winkle, Woodford Reserve and Buffalo Trace spirits. Dark chocolate syrup drapes anise-spiced rum sugaring and brandy-soaked dried fruiting above molasses-sapped oats. Dried-fruited dark cherry, sugarplum and fig illusions deepen friendly cocoa-milked whiskeyed bourbon complexion.
On tap at Poor Henry’s, mild Berliner Weiss aged in French oak foeders brings tannic white grape acidity and salted lemon lime tartness to dry barnyard acridity above easygoing sourdough malts. Sour-milked yogurt spurt reinforces stylish citrus salinity.
On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead – Haledon, velvety coffee-infused oatmeal stout really hits the spot. Marvelous Columbian coffee roast picks up slickly creamed cocoa nibs influence, vanilla bourbon sweetness, dainty chicory snip and toasted marshmallow reminder while a ‘touch of lactose milk sugaring’ dries out at the mocha-rich finish.
On tap at Biggie’s, briskly sharp hop-forward rye spicing deepens persistent ESB-like earthen grain rusticity and resinous lupulin bittering alongside lemon-seeded grapefruit, orange and pineapple tanginess of 2017 IPA – picking up mild pepper breading at finish.
On tap at Blind Tiger, fine oak-aged 2017 blonde barleywine (with 11% ABV) retains lovely wildflower-honeyed vanilla spicing and coconut-toasted tropical fruiting. Tangy pineapple-peach-orange conflux, caramel-sweetened pale malts and boozy bourbon refrain douse vintage amber-hued dessert treat. Sugar cookie, banana liqueur, syrupy pear, butterscotch, toffee and marshmallow illusions add further luster.
On tap at 381 Main, bold 20th Anniversary Imperial IPA plies zesty lemony orange-tangerine tang to pine-needled hop bittering, dark-roasted wheat malts and mildly creamed sugar spicing. Ancillary grapefruit, mango and peach illusions add fruitful depth.
On tap at River Of Beer, fabulous mocha-imbibed Belgian quad (heady 16.6% ABV) retains rich full-bodied robustness. Sweet candi-sugared bourbon warmth douses syrupy chocolate creaminess and sappy molasses sinew. Caramel-malted barley roast and torrified wheat spine fortify oak-toasted coconut, pecan pie and cigar tobacco illusions. Mild purple grape, fig and raisin undertones create dried fruited respite for bourbon chocolate essence.
“Classic” yellow-cleared German-styled pilsner retains citric-herbed hop earthiness and biscuity pale malt toasting. “Hoppy” IPA-like bittering brings forth zesty yellow grapefruit and orange peel subtleties. Wispy white-peppered lemongrass snip imbues refreshingly clean floral-citric finish.
On tap at Amazing Grapes, saison-styled sour ale blends French and American oak-barrel aged Opal Saison, thrusting lactic brettanomyces acidity upon lightly vinous lemon-seeded green grape tartness and rustic barnyard-grained musk. Delicate Sauvignon Blanc, unripe peach and apricot wisps dissipate beneath lemony white wine tannins.
On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead – Hoboken, approachable moderation tones down the grassy-hopped citrus pining its American-styled IPA profile promotes, yet still gains a refreshingly crisp gin-like juniper boozing and delicate herbal wisp to engage the lightly embittered yellow grapefruit, orange rind, pineapple and lemondrop illusions. Great clarity of flavor.
On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead – Hoboken, mild marzen links lightly creamed raw-honeyed Augustiner Vienna malting and biscuity lager yeast to serene citric-spiced briskness and dewy leafy-hopped earthiness. Note: ‘Oak’ in Oaktoberfest refers to Oakland, California’s annual beer festival instead of any true oak influence on the flavor.
