Early astringency nearly inhibits honey-roasted malt creaminess, chocolate cherry splurge, and dried raisin imminence of turbidly tawny bottle-conditioned medium body. Yet imaginative sweet ‘n’ sour mocha-molasses variance perfectly suits sharply spiced banana-clove finish.
Monthly Archives: January 2009
ERDINGER OKTOBERFEST WEIZEN
Mild hop astringency impedes sweet peach-apricot tang and brisk grapefruit bittering as slightest rye-barley dryness gains malt-y pastiness to clean finish, leaving wispy eggshell lace along glass siding.
ERDINGER KRISTALLKLAR WEISBIER
Pour slowly billowy fluffy-headed wheat beer or risk overt carbonation. Though lightweight and arid, crystal malt sweetness, clove-hopped spritz, dainty floral waltz, and modest vanilla ice cream finish rescue it from mediocrity.
ERAWAN ALE
Mildly turbid prune-hued smoke-spiced Northerner reminiscent of full-bodied India Pale Ale, only sweeter and with more sediment yeast particles. Buttery malt whiskey waft proves headier than initial sourdough stipend, affable jasmine spicing, and fragile rice-barley spine.
(ENGEL) GOLFER’S CHOICE GERMAN ALE
1-pint tin can features picturesque golf design collectors will deem worthy. Gooey spiced malt sweetness, corn sugar base, and mild tea innuendo lack robustness, but as lightweight German pilsner (listed as an ale) it’ll please amateurs turned off by bulkier bitter-hopped rivals.
(ENGEL) BOMBERS PIN-UP BEER
Unique German lager packaged in bomber canteen pours light despite creamy density. Soft hop tingle and corn-sweetened malt liquor finish fade abruptly. Could use more character and body for $5 a can.
ENDURANCE PALE ALE
Bottled by Mercury Brewing, this well hopped citric-embittered pale body retains lemon rind, orange peel, and unripe grapefruit-peach tang deepening raw-honeyed medicinal stipulation, long-lasting black currant resolve and coarse coal aftertaste. Metallic oxidation tucked beneath hay-grass appeasement.
ENDURANCE GLACIER GOLD
Crisply dry yellow-fruited golden ale raises strong black tea influence above raw-honeyed cracked wheat backdrop. Soapy finish slightly mars acidic lemon rind and grapefruit peel tang.
EMPERORS GOLD PILSENER
Little-known pale-bodied pils nicely integrates sugared malts with honeyed cereal grains for sweetish simplicity, losing luster over time. Compromised diacetyl finish comes to the fore after few sips.
(ELYSIAN) THE WISE E.S.B.
Worthy copper-toned Bitter counters sticky mocha malt pleasantry with piney floral-hopped bittering and dry cedar wood seduction. Nutty caramel-chocolate sweetness reaches sturdy charcoal-blackened grain backbone. A full-bodied libation sans stomach-bloating heaviness.
(ELYSIAN) THE IMMORTAL I.P.A.
Translucent amber tone as light and soft as the ale itself. Polite roasted barley opening, subtle burnt hop resonation, and silky spice serenade beckon buttery malt sweetness for moderate-bodied simplicity.
(ELYSIAN) PERSEUS PORTER
Well-respected robust porter boasts tongue-coating bitter coffee usurpation, charred hop resilience, and black licorice finish underscored by variant illusions of black cherry, cocoa leaf, ashy tobacco, and tar. Thick molasses oeuvre is perfect for serious ‘bitter’ fans.