Stylistic piney-hopped fruitiness glistens up-front as rich corn-husked grain-toasted malts settle behind. Floral-spiced peach-pineapple-grapefruit tang dangles surefire bittersweet template above phenol alcohol astringency.
Monthly Archives: January 2009
(TROUTBROOK) THOMAS HOOKER BLONDE ALE
Strange cabbage-y vegetal waft and off-putting diacetyl souring stifle miserly citric-herbal hop fizz outlasting honeyed wheat declination of cacophonous hazy golden medium body. Pleasingly, syrupy creamed corn sweetness not nearly as cloy or tacky as cognate beechwood-aged Budweiser.
(TROUTBROOK) THOMAS HOOKER AMERICAN PALE ALE
Well-rounded golden red-bodied ale gathers lively fruited spruce essence, honeyed barley-oats abundance, and perfumed floral component, resembling red ale more than labeled pale ale style. Autumnal cinnamon-allspice backdrop increases sour orange rind bittering and cherry tartness as raw-hopped pine nut harshness intensifies.
(CARACOLE) TROUBLETTE ARTISANAL WHITE ALE
Subtle yellow-clouded white-headed witbier stays moderate-bodied and less explosively carbolic than most pale Belgians. Spunky candi-sugared malting, lemony peach-orange-apple tartness and white-peppered clove-coriander spicing soften corky barnyard-hay dryness to medicinal finish. A bit askew for its class, as wheat influence neutralized by pungent alcohol-stricken sharpness.
TROMPE LA MORT DOUBLE BOCK
(TROIS MOUSQUETAIRES) D’ARTAGNAN BLONDE LAGER
Heavily hopped hazy golden medium body with raw-grained initiation leaves toasted barley sweetness at back-throat. Herbal-vegetal restraint adds wispy nuance to mildly astringent citric finish.
(TROIS MOUSQUETAIRES) ARAMIS LAGER ROUSSE
Virtuous red lager brings caramel malt swell to toasted hop nicety, orange blossom waft, and candied sugar zap. Minor creaminess pads berry-cherry tingle.
TROEGS TROEGENATOR DOUBLE BOCK
Heavenly juicy-fruited medium-bodied dark amber may lack alcoholic chocolate-rimmed citric-dried inertia of richer bock competition, but fig-spiced bruised cherry entry dazzles. Spry floral-hopped briskness enhances luscious melon sweetness and mildly tart grape-quince sequel solidifying toasted wheat bed. Instantly approachable for lighter thirsts, yet bold enough for strong ale heads.
TROEGS SUNSHINE PILS
Sunny opaque light-bodied German pils erects husked wheat fortress around bright nectar-tangerine-peach tang and mildly zesty lemon souring. Grassy wet-leafed hop mildness sidles refreshing mineral-watered crisping to clean citric finish. Fine summertime beach fodder.
TROEGS RUGGED TRAIL NUT BROWN ALE
Ruggedly coarse ruby-marooned tan-headed English-styled full body pushes milk chocolate-y hazelnut sugaring above roasted barley-hop clip, tenuous coffee ground slip, and coarse walnut snip. Dry cocoa finish picks up meager cola nut, tea leaf, and peat illusions.
TROEGS PALE ALE
Bittersweet fruited malt surge acquires floral-hopped bouquet juxtaposing nutty bottom. Raspy blueberry-raspberry sweetness anchors off-dry medium body. On second passing, sharp orange-peeled lemon rind zest punctuates whiskey-soaked wheat husk, leaving spritzy mandarin orange aftertaste.
TROEGS OATMEAL STOUT
Ascending black coffee roast, molasses-sapped burnt caramel creaminess, and supportive hop-embittered nuttiness linger loudly to driest lactose-chocolate finish, picking up charred pine-maple wood tones, flaked oat stipend, and raisin-prune dalliance. Creamy soured mocha center reveals teensy black licorice dash. Even its exquisite jet black hue, maroon-burgundy highlights, rocky tan head, and lacey remnant encourage attention.