Pedestrian amber-toned Oktoberfest could use spicier seasoning, more musty berry assertion, and wilder floral fruitiness. Closer to a fizzy pilsner.
Monthly Archives: January 2009
PETE’S WICKED AMBER ALE W/ NUTMEG & RASPBERRY
Possibly farmed out by Pete’s Wicked to Washington State brewery to make use of sparkling Northwest water (which adds crisp flow to persistent fruitiness). Lively up-front hops brighten raspberry extract and sweet wheat as nutmeg seasoning and piney hints spice up the zesty backdrop. Finish becomes a tad mainstream, but this is one fine fruity treat.
PETER’S BRAND PILSENER
Distinct musk-like hop-grained aromatics and crisp-watered bread-like yeast mouthfeel could be mistaken for Heineken (Holland’s better brand) in a heartbeat. But heavy carbolic fizz and soapy finish become obtrusive obstacles, narrowing its appeal. Canned version gets metallic.
PERONI NASTRO AZZURRO
Disappointingly innocuous clear straw moderate-bodied Italian lager with noxious skunked vegetable waft uncloaks lackluster white-breaded rye frontage receding to negligible lemony hop bittering. Dismal metallic-chemical truculence siphons crisply bland carbolic fizz. Could pass as musty subpar German lager worse than Becks and Warsteiner.
PERONI GRAN RISERVA LAGER
Buttery Scotch malts and moderated roasted hop bittering engage brown-sugared chocolate-spiced cocoa bean undertones for heavily liquor-laden lager. Sweet corn and honeyed wheat provide backdrop. Just a tad acidic and harsh.
PERLA MOCNA
Centrist-minded Polish strong lager brings sour honeyed malt pungency and dank yeast sweetness to obtrusive rust watering. Frisky carbonation obscures bittersweet grassy-hopped grain persistence, finishing lighter than expected. Inessential.
PERLA CHMIELOWA PILS
Buttered whiskey malts sharpen salted hop-fizzed pep and wheat straw banter. Slight sugared lemon tingle fades by seltzer finish.
PENTANGEL SUPERIOR ENGLISH ALE
Charging more for 11-ounce (instead of twelve) 4 pack (‘stead of 6), bold amber compares favorably to Samuel Smith (though it’s a half-level below) and its regal name matches its ‘Superior’ affluence. Barley roasted chocolate hazelnut and mild apple-plum dalliance sweeten palate. Firm yeast foundation solidifies its base.
PENNICHUCK 2-6-0 MOGUL VIENNA-STYLE RAILYARD ALE
Sweet marzipan creaminess gets spread across buttered rye frontage, seeping into hop-spiced repose and biscuit-y wheat bottom. Ensuing toasted almond, pecan, and vanilla illusions supplement medium-bodied lager. Brewery defunct: 2010.
(PENNICHUCK) THE BIG O OKTOBERFEST LAGER
Pleasant chestnut-hued barley-roasted caramel-malted autumnal lager averts commonplace seasonal stylizing for sulky honey-roasted cherry-peach-tangerine tang. Creamy butternut illusion and toasted almond tease add depth. Brewery defunct: 2010.
PENNICHUCK SHOUBOUSHI FIREFIGHTER GINGER PILSNER
Robust chameleon-like amber pilsner with muted dry ginger root flavoring changes mood at whim. Incisive juniper hop bittering may overwhelm lighter tastes, but creamy clover-honeyed rye whiskey malting, cinnamon-toasted apple jacking, abbreviated blueberry nosing, and ashen coal swerve surely widen range. Spearmint-evergreen waver is contestable. Brewery defunct: 2010.
PENNICHUCK SAINT FLORIAN DOPPELBOCK LAGER
Excuse doppelbock descriptive and re-label this full-bodied lager a buttery Flemish ale/ toasted lager blend. Its chewy brown sugared marzipan opening and oncoming brown chocolate-y toffee sweetness pile-drive minor cocoa-powdered bittering to ripe raisin finish. Recessive hazelnut illusions linger below. Brewery defunct: 2010.