Bitter Chinook hops activate smoked nuttiness and prune souring of unconventional pitch-black porter. Oak-dried cherry pucker reinforces raspberry puree midst until tar-like acridity overwhelms parched cocoa chalkiness and baker’s chocolate wither to clean watered ice coffee finish.
Monthly Archives: January 2009
(GOLDEN VALLEY) CHEHALEM MOUNTAIN I.P.A.
Pleasant floral-fruited sweetness envelops Cascade-hopped peach-gourd sash and soft-watered purity of well-balanced medium body.
GOLDEN PHEASANT PREMIUM LAGER
Supposed ‘traditional Slovak’ golden lager sinks dry-hopped grain overtones into pasty caramel malt pleasantry. Herbal citric spicing tingles lingered nut bread finish, but light-bodied watery nature lacks depth of better Eastern Europeans such as Czechvar.
GOLDEN GATE PALE ALE
Musty grain holding and beckoning barleymalt sweetness convey lager sensibility, but spicy orange peel aroma, compressed citrus midst, and persistent hop bitterness place this firmly in pale ale territory. Not as organic or busy as most first-rate West Coast brews, however. Brewery defunct: 2003.
GOLDEN GATE ORIGINAL ALE
Foamy-headed golden-hazed medium body opens with soft hops garnishing sourdough snippet, wimpy nuttiness, and pale malt lag. Bittersweet grains sag by watery finish. Brewery defunct: 2003.
GOLDEN GATE HEFE WEIZEN
Sourdough aroma influences promising wheat aspect, as hints of orange peel, banana, and lemon tickle tongue, then decorate well-defined clove-influenced yellow-fruited finish. Cloudy medium-bodied Californian competes favorably with Germany’s finest weizens. Brewery defunct: 2003.
GOLDEN GATE COPPER ALE
Slim malt chocolate continuation muddles fizzy hops and subtle nuts to moderately creamy finish. A tad bland and slick – like macrobrew gunk. Brewery defunct: 2003.
GOLDEN GATE AMBER ALE
Spicy-hopped fragrance embodies bittersweet fruitiness and murky barleymalt sweetness. Soft-bodied texture counters hearty thrust and berry hints coat toasted finish. Resilient without being harsh. Brewery defunct: 2003.
GOLDEN EAGLE LAGER
Pale-toned medium body with charred wood palate enhancing remarkably expansive honeyed Scotch likeness. Extremely dry rye backbone and lessened lime-hopped briskness further assure bitter alcohol-stricken finish. Single malt whiskey snobs may sing its praises but less adventurous lagerheads will be put off.
(GOLD COAST) SHANGHAI PALE ALE
Despite soft grain-roasted malting and snippy hop spot, rather strong and dark for pale ale styling. Initial corn sugar explosion gets in the way of floundering fruit adjuncts and recessive spice dusting beneath surface. Brewery defunct: 2002.
(GOLD COAST) HOBOKEN SPECIAL RESERVE ALE
Thick creamy head and extreme foamy froth receive burst of champagne-like carbonation that hits the schnozzle hard. Reminiscent of rustic American wheat ale, but not as refined or complex as fine German weiss competition. Brewery defunct: 2002.
(GLUEK) RATTLESNAKE PALE LAGER
Smoked salami nose matches strange cured meat smudge of agavi-spiced (?) bitterness. Though reminiscent of busier Mexican pilsners, dry malt souring at dismal phenol finish insults faded orange hint and unleavened bread nuance.