Swampy tan-headed, brown-bodied dark ale invites roasted nuttiness to sharp hop char and creamy mocha malting for up-front maltose penetration. Walnut-skinned peanut shelling lightly embitters maple-sugared hazelnut, butternut and cola illusions. Perhaps less assertive and gentler than richer nut browns, but mild silken nature perfect as crossover fare for pilsner-lager fans.
Monthly Archives: January 2009
CLIMAX INDIA PALE ALE
Pleasant caramel malts, sanguine wood burnt grains, and lace-y foam linger within bittersweet orange-peeled pineapple, peach and grapefruit confines. Tender, softly calibrated, milder hopped change of pace away from thicker, richer, more complex rivals like Ipswich IPA. Serve to more attenuated pale ale and lager fans.
CLIMAX EXTRA SPECIAL BITTER
Wispily aromatic tangerine zesting prickled by spiced hop phenols as bright tropical fruiting serenades thinly sinewed butterscotch-yeast pleasantries juxtaposing smoky peat malting of dry bitter. Softly settling mocha finish punctuated by maple-cedar wood tones and ashen earthiness.
CLIMAX CREAM ALE
Amiable creamy-headed straw-hazed sparkling ale combines dark Belgian malts with sinewy yeast funk, bitter citrus spicing, and tea-like splendor for casually perplexed moderate body. As hoppy as an IPA (with wispy yellow grapefruit, green apple, and orange fruiting), but softly crisp-watered and lightly grained, allowing pilsner fans a chance to catch their breath.
(CLAY PIPE) PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS WINTER WARMER
Thickly chewy caramel malting allows radiant red-fruited punctuality to shine through 8% alcohol heft and floral-hopped bitterness. Though lacking distinct seasonal nutmeg spicing, appealingly overripe apple-grape cameo and toasted barley base broaden depth.
(CLAY PIPE) BACKFIN PALE ALE
Honeyed maple sweetness usurps resinous hop-roasted dryness, bread-y grain thrust, and bland lemon-grapefruit acidity. Rye malts and toasted almond fend off tinny scuff.
(NOUVELLE) CLAIRE FONTAINE PALE ALE
Easygoing yellow-hazed pale ale maintains simple buttery-nosed pilsner appeal as pale-malted banana-orange-apricot dryness caresses barley-wheat mildness. Picture courtesy of www.ratebeer.com
CISCO WINTER VINTAGE NANTUCKET LAGER
Middling hazy yellowed amber moderation retains soft-bubbled white head and sunny lemon dryness. Herbal tinge bedecks wheat backbone sufficiently.
CISCO 10 ALE
Deeply penetrating prune theme (flavor-hue-aroma) gains congruent fig-raisin insistence to celebrate island-bound brewers’ ten-year anniversary (blending Baggywringle Barleywine with Whale’s Tale Pale Ale inside strawberry-strewn bourbon barrel). Vinous strawberry tartness lingers through oaken cherry pucker and mild bourbon warmth. Tertiary grape esters and bruised orange souring add further complexity, though mossy earthiness and dank basement finish seem peculiar.
CISCO SUMMER OF LAGER
After yeast particles settle, turbid yellow-glowed Helles lager brings acidic lemon tartness to grassy hop bittering, staying lightheartedly fizzy. Metallic clink negates citrus-y wildflower souring, cork-y dryness, and floral outline, but crisp, clean finish welcomes softer palates to summery session beer.
(CISCO) SANKATY LIGHT LAGER
Almost as bright and resilient as Southampton Double White, this fine light-bodied floral-hopped golden lager delivers a fetchingly crisp grapefruit-peach-orange souring and starchy plantain balm to wispy grain-backed ginger-spiced bittersweet conclusion. Phenol nature precludes excellence.
CISCO MOOR PORTER
Pour slowly frothy New England islander or risk overt carbonation. Bitter coffee bean profile allows sour chocolate, tangy prune, and tannic grape illusions to offset lactic charge of blackened ruby, rocky beige-headed, bottle-conditioned port. Fuller body texture and richer barley roast would increase worth.