Wavering spiced ale may boast kola nut, poppy seed, and guarana herbage, but these under-whelming elements barely register. Instead, brown-sugared chocolate malting, red grapefruit tang, orange-tangerine juicing, and floral hop spicing integrate with tertiary tea, hemp, and pine forest illusions. Barley-roasted heather honey sweetness validates citric malting. Nowhere near as innovative and enigmatic as label claims.
- Author: John Fortunato
- Brewery: BREWDOG LTD., FRASERBURGH, SCOTLAND
- Category: Beers A-Z
- Comments: None
- Author: John Fortunato
- Brewery: ANHEUSER-BUSCH, ST. LOUIS, MO.
- Category: Beers A-Z
- Comments: None
Buoyant limited edition pale-hazed Belgian-styled witbier retains lilting springtime pleasantry despite sharp pine needled citric nosing. Caressing spice-tingled apricot-nectarine tang, menial vanilla drift, and trifling mango-banana-pineapple tropicalia affix advertised orange-lemon-lime peels softly comforting casual coriander curtsy, remaining inoffensively stylish despite unrealized Belgian intricacies.
- Author: John Fortunato
- Brewery: BIRRIFICIO LE BALADIN, PIOZZO, ITALY
- Category: Beers A-Z
- Comments: None
Lovely quince-wafted fruit ale maintains abundant fluffy head, lively carbonation, and soft water freshness to luscious Sangria finish. Grape-ripened tangerine-honeydew tang and tart raspberry-blueberry subsidy complement sour-mashed cork dryness wrapped around cotton candy frolic. Serve to red wine drinkers as a sweet alternative.
- Author: John Fortunato
- Brewery: DOGFISH HEAD BREWERY, MILTON, DE.
- Category: Beers A-Z
- Comments: None
Yeast-y sinew clouds coppery honeysuckle-glazed eccentricity. Floral chrysanthemum-lavender embrace gathers Sangria-Muscat-pinot grape esters, beckoning peach-tangerine ripeness, and surreptitious orange-lemon-grapefruit scattering up-front. Subsequent peppery hop prickle absorbs vinous white wine acidity, obscure herbaceous tuck, and latent gin-like juniper nip.
- Author: John Fortunato
- Brewery: DOGFISH HEAD BREWERY, LEWES, DE.
- Category: Beers A-Z
- Comments: None
- Author: John Fortunato
- Brewery: NUOVO BIRRIFICIO, LURAGO MARINONE, ITALY
- Category: Beers A-Z
- Comments: None
Like a corky Belgian cuvee or gueuze spreading unripe green grape pucker and Granny Smith apple sourness atop cloudy yeast sediment, this abstruse pinkish-highlighted amber golden aperitif gains many offbeat illusions. But advertised floral promise of rose, violet, and elderberry nuances never conquer dry mandarin orange burst or fungus-like olfactory dankness. Black pepper spicing is inconspicuous.
- Author: John Fortunato
- Brewery: GRAY BREW. CO., JANESVILLE, WI.
- Category: Beers A-Z
- Comments: None
- Author: John Fortunato
- Brewery: KIUCHI BREWERY, IBARAKI, JAPAN
- Category: Beers A-Z
- Comments: None
Splendid multi-dimensional beer matured in sake casks saddles anticipatory rice wine aspect with earthen grape, stewed prune, sun-dried fig, and vinous cider souring. Reminiscent of dry oak-aged plum-wined Chardonnay at a distance, its glutinous wheat influence soon beckons heady whiskey finish, where distilled sake strengthens alcoholic punch.
- Author: John Fortunato
- Brewery: HOBOKEN BREWERY, HOBOKEN, N.J.
- Category: Beers A-Z
- Comments: None
- Author: John Fortunato
- Brewery: OTTER CREEK BREWING, MIDDLEBURY, VT.
- Category: Beers A-Z
- Comments: None
Serene golden ale with cocoa and spices inspired by ancient Aztec drink, Xocolati, counters smoked curry-pepper mandate with mild mocha. Red ale-like fruited sweetness fortifies floral backdrop and vanilla-cinnamon trickle to cardboard-y chocolate malt finish. A lighter alternative to Rogue’s Chipotle Ale?
- Author: John Fortunato
- Brewery: BROUWERIJ DE REGENBOOG, BRUGGE, BELGIUM
- Category: Beers A-Z
- Comments: None
Hazy dark blonde contrasts sugar candy balm against casual mustard seed bitterness as lively bruised lemon souring seeps through fresh cut grass and barnyard hay earthiness. Vinous mouth-puckering grape tartness curtails coriander seasoning to watery finish.
- Author: John Fortunato
- Brewery: BRASSEURS RJ, MONTREAL, CANADA
- Category: Beers A-Z
- Comments: None
Deep golden glowed ’spicy buckwheat beer’ with tan yeast particles and high viscosity generates early hop-infused coriander bittering for off-dry orange-lemon punch. Lively unripe tangerine-peach souring gains prominence as mint tingle surfaces, adding zesty elegance.


