Cordial candied malt sweetness overlays crisp spruced hop bitterness, but dark citrus undertones unable to overcome stark grain frivolity of hazy amber light body.
Monthly Archives: January 2009
GREAT DIVIDE BEE STING HONEY GOLDEN ALE
Ill-defined ruddy-clouded moderation balances bittersweet honey tartness with lackluster sourdough dryness. Poor, undeveloped finish lacks honey essence to set it apart and earn its moniker.
GREAT DIVIDE ARAPAHOE AMBER ALE
Not far removed from tepid Bee Sting Honey Golden, though surprisingly, the honey flavoring sticks out more for this timidly indistinct amber. Supposed “nutty malt” influence dulls by unsettling sour citric-rotted finish.
GRAY’S OATMEAL STOUT
Robust mahogany dry stout gains lactic chocolate malt creaminess above black cherry tartness and coffee bean bitterness, forging superb black mocha assertion. Hop-roasted oats toasting begets latent wood-smoked char.
GRAY’S HONEY ALE
Sunny citrus-scented pale-bodied hop-fizzed mediocrity with sour lemon drop theme hems negligible wheat influence into limpid acidic finish. Shifty orange-dried tartness cedes mere honey postscript.
GRAY’S BLACK & TAN
Pert roasted hop impression greets dry chocolate malt sweetness and receding cocoa hint. Though better than most bottled B&T’s, oily finish disturbs deep mocha assertion.
GRASSHOPPER WHEAT ALE
Not necessarily your typical German-styled kristalweizen, lacking initial carbonated thrust, assertive banana backing, and sweet wheat wine-y nose. Never too strong and a tad flat, its roasted barley-wheat essence doused too quickly by watery crispness. Now brewed by Canada’s Big Rock.
GRAND TETON SWEETGRASS INDIA PALE ALE
Bright spruce-y nectar surge elevates sticky tropical fruitiness and juicy tangerine tang, nicely countering prolonged lemon-hopped bittering. Pleasant citric malt finish ebbs as mountain water crispness crystallizes surfacing floral notes.
GRAND TETON BITCH CREEK E.S.B. ALE
Well-rounded English-styled Bitter connects initial barley-roasted earthiness to sweetly soured clover-honeyed cocoa-powdered mocha muck. Rye-pumpernickel breading and recurrent dried cherry-apple sweetness broaden scope. Damning phenolic astringency is only drawback.
GRAIN BELT PREMIUM LAGER
Dinky Scotch malt essence, dewy earthiness, and aromatic cream corn sweetness peak early, allowing pettily dry banana-agave tinge to perk up unsettled cloy finish. Serve to lightweights only. Now brewed by August Schell.
GOUDEN CAROLUS TRIPLE
Spotty yeast sediment clouds alcohol-fueled burnished gold tripel. Sour malt aroma and maize-like astringency severely downsize floral-hopped honeysuckle savor, but brimming creaminess will knock guzzlers for a loop. Sticky ethanol malt liquor cheapness ruins the buzz.
GOUDEN CAROLUS NOEL
Rich prune-hued winter seasonal proudly displays sugary spice and everything nice. Lovely overripe purple grape landscape picks up burgundy-dried raisin thrust. Tongue-tingling prickly hops awaken mint-y green apple satchel, souring to ester-y white wine reticence.