Black as molasses and nearly as thick, deliriously creamy tan-headed ebony stout links distinct wood-burnt hop-spiced bitterness to barley-mocha roasted affluence and precocious cocoa fudged resilience. After swallowing, coarse oat groats welcome incredibly durable espresso-coffee bean finish as unrefined maple sap extract, ripe raisin flirtation, grainy walnut-Brazil nut buffing, and black cherry souring intrigue sticky milky-textured backdrop.
Monthly Archives: January 2009
IPSWICH NUT BROWN ALE
Creamier, nuttier, and more bitter than most in its class, this dry coffee-daubed medium body is full of fire but indistinct compared to Samuel Smith’s Nut Brown Ale. Astringently coarse pecan-walnut finish retains smoky mocha residue.
IPSWICH INDIA PALE ALE
Perfectly robust honey-hued I.P.A. imbued by luscious candied orange tang, caramelized pale malts and sinewy yeast for rich cookie dough essence. When poured, exquisite cascading bubbly swirl rises to the surface of heavily viscous russet treasure. Tar-like maple sap, black licorice, wet wood, and coarse nut penetrate lingering bittersweet spice-hopped silkiness to marvelous creamy finish.
IPSWICH HARVEST ALE
Heavy nickel-copper viscosity and corresponding white yeast sediment match thick glutinous red-fruited spruce-maple sweetness with profound piney cedar waft. Spicy hop dryness reinforces lilting barleywine reminder coercing wheat-y bottom.
IPSWICH E.S.B. ALE
Durable rust-hued bubbly-headed fruit-hopped Extra Special Bitter propels saturated mocha thickness above light grained citrus tang and nutty residue. Abundant carbonation never disturbs creamy barley-toasted caramel malt synergy. By robust finish, it’s nuttier than fruitier.
IPSWICH DARK ALE
Along with Guinness, Ayinger, Sam Smith, Rogue, and a host of Belgian breweries, Ipswich remains one of the finest beer and ale producers in the world. This burnt sienna (or thick cider) hued dark ale enjoins sweet burgundy essence, lingered candied yeast consistency, spicy hop tingle, and bitter cocoa-espresso confluence for fervent opening. Frisky barley-hopped strength, fluctuant almond-walnut-chicory dab, and prune-port undertones combine with rich maple-butterscotch succulence to complete fantastic full-bodied finish. Difficult to pigeonhole; continuously rewarding.
IPSWICH BEST BITTER
On tap, expressive amber-glowed Bitter integrates heavily-hopped yellow-fruited souring with lingering nutty malt pleasantry as taut mocha presence increases for rounded unfiltered pleasantry.
IPSWICH BARLEYWINE ALE
Interestingly, half-pint barleywine was packaged in a cardboard cylinder encasing the glass bottle. Cloudy sediment-imbued foam clumps can’t hide undeniably rich éclair froth. Sharp floral hops underscore red wine aroma, gunk-y caramel malt absorption, and dry burgundy lick providing moderate sweetness. Despite strong alcoholic flow, well-rounded mocha-grain finish maintains uncommonly smooth moderation.
IPSWICH ORIGINAL ALE
Sampled in smaller 12-ounce bottles, all Ipswich ales lose some rich malt-extracted excellence. Nevertheless, in half-gallon jugs, they truly kick ass! Resembling a fine brown ale with its cloudy copper-bronze body, this ‘Original’ ale’s initial cured yeast sinew provides floral bouquet that fills nostrils, then absorbs tongue. Creamy mocha, ripened prune, dark honey, and unobtrusive butterscotch give buttery-textured, frisky-hopped bitter a husky malt-draped finish. Earthen dry bark slink randomly detected.
(INVERALMOND) LIA FAIL STONE OF DESTINY ALE
Toasted barleymalt sweetness welcomes winsome chestnut-hued Scottish pleasantry. At midst, gentle hops envelop brown-sugared maple, hazelnut, and praline illusions. Thin dry prune finish picks up cinnamon banter, herbal tea spot, and earthy tobacco stint.
(INVERALMOND) BLACK FRIAR SCOTTISH ALE
Mild amber hue downplays and disguises medicinal 7% alcohol insistence as sweet butterscotch frontage and ancillary raisin-prune depth amplify soured chocolate nose. Sedate mocha malt finish picks up minor cork dryness.
INNIS & GUNN OAK AGED PALE ALE
Exemplary clear-bottled oak-barreled pale body layers soft whiskey-aged malt saturation atop smoked hickory and chipotle pepper illusions before honeyed butternut creaminess adds sweet relief. Perfectly mellow palate softener remains dry on tongue before reserved finish picks up distant sherry notes.