Stellar cocoa-spiced stout gathers delectable dry mocha serenity and flowery hop seasoning for subdued cinnamon-toasted brown sugar opening. At midst, sweet caramel chocolate malts and toasted oat flakes resonate above pervasive bitter nuttiness. Though lacking rugged assertion of richer stouts, its not-so-subtle complexity compares favorably to excellent Rogue Chocolate Stout.
Monthly Archives: January 2009
LAGUNITAS BROWN SHUGGA
Exemplary barleywine coalesces bittersweet spruce-hopped orange-tangerine tang with ripe melon, cherry, red grape, and fig-prune nuances, becoming medicinal as almond wine succulence secures alcohol-smitten oaken dryness. Chewy malt sugaring renders creamy maple, molasses, and cookie dough richness.
(EUMUNDI) LAGUNA BAY PALE ALE
Polite rust-hued Aussie pale ale combines mild roasted malt sweetness and demure dry hop bitterness with dark fruit pungency for refreshing summer sentiment. Water crispness and delicate carbonation imbibe light-grained lager-like finish.
LA CHOULETTE LES SANS CULOTTES
Effervescent French blonde brings buttery white wine entry to streamlined honey spicing, mild earthen graining, white peppered herbage and eclipsed floral bouquet. Although meshed well, indistinction yellow grape finish slacks off to relative blandness.
LA CHOULETTE FRAMBOISE
Fruitful copper-hazed pink-highlighted oak-seasoned farmhouse brew confronts cavernous sour raspberry frontage with dry-hopped cherry pungency, green apple gape, and tannic red grape tartness. At wheat-husked finish, tangy citric authority enhances dry white wine reminder.
LA CHOULETTE DE NOEL WINTER ALE
Ripened raisin prominence and pertinent stewed prune sequel saturate sugary candied malts for heady alcoholic holiday ‘biere de garde’ feast. Richer, creamier than ruby-amber hue suggests, settling into somber cognac appeal.
LA CHOULETTE BLONDE BIERE DE GARDE
Hazy white-headed artisanal blonde with up-front floral bouquet settling to grassy-hopped white grape midst before oak dryness permeates cork finish and mild medicinal aftertaste. Tangerine, peach, and pineapple spotted in deep recesses.
LA CHOULETTE AMBREE
Succulent artisian French ale reminiscent of apple wine or berry brandy. Butterscotch overtones invigorate vanilla, banana, and clove fluctuation while elegant hops tingle the tongue. Develops more character with each passing, finishing as a perfect aperitif.
LA BINCHOISE BIERE DES OURS HONEY ALE
Resinous amber-clouded alcohol-fueled ale maintains fine wine luster. Honeyed yeast heft receives vinous cider innuendo at resilient white grape-dabbed wheat wine finish.
LA BINCHOISE ARTISANAL BRUNE
Ambitious prune-browned middleweight gains dry raisin assertion and pliable orange-peeled tangerine tartness above soft earthen dewiness. Fizzy carbolic fluff undermines soothing barley-roasted nuttiness, losing some luster by fruit-dried malt-smoked finish.
LA BINCHOISE ARTISANAL BLONDE ALE
Fizzy carbonation bubbles crackle when pouring elegantly flowing pale Blonde with heady 6% alcohol kick. Cloudy smoothie cushions bright lemon-orange peel nose, dry fruity spicing, and unobtrusive hop bittering with clove-coriander before settling into mellow lemon lime finish. Subtly versatile ale reminiscent of a sourball candy works fine as either aperitif or digestif.
LA BINCHOISE ARTISANAL AMBER ALE
Turbid rust-hued artisan-watered Belgian with aromatic yellow-fruited clove spicing absorbed by sour prune or plum wine mouthfeel. Softly textured considering well disguised 9% alcohol content, yet more robust than brewers’ Blonde and Brown Ales. Perfect melange of barleywine, chocolate cake, and morning dew accent busy finish.