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 hazy pale 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
Quince-berry-scented fruit ale maintains abundant fluffy head, lively carbonation, and soft water freshness to staid Sangria finish. Ripe grape-tangerine-honeydew-raspberry tang complements sour mash, cork-y dryness, and mint tinge 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
Billowy-headed saffron-spiced ale gains buttery wine essence as muscat grape tartness and bright grapefruit illusion induce sugary honeyed wheat stickiness contrasting minor acidic bitterness concealing 9% alcohol margin.
- 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
Pale-bodied sunny citrus-scented tersely hop-fizzed mediocrity with sour lemon drop theme hems negligible wheat influence into limpid acidic finish. Shifty tartness cedes mere honey postscript.
- 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
Dried-out orange palate, creamy caramel malt follow-up, and puissant carbolic fizz provide fine opening for herbal red ale. Ginseng nearly lost in vanilla extract, honey maple, and citrus adjuncts. Slide this in next to Hempen and Aviator ales. Brewery defunct: 2001.
- 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.