Pungent sour coffee coarseness blitzes astringent nuttiness, burnt toast rancor, and chalky cocoa acridity. Dry white grape esters seethe beneath intrusive woody hop fizz.
Monthly Archives: January 2009
(TRAVERSE) OLD MISSION LIGHTHOUSE ALE
Straw-hazed pale ale finds tart grapefruit-lemon rind essence gliding above daintily soured orange peel mist befitting acrid citric finish. But earthen mineral-grained mustiness and herbal lemongrass continuance come up lame hemming frail straw wheat backdrop.
TRAQUAIR JACOBITE FLAVORED ALE
Exquisite maroon-hued chestnut-highlighted coriander-spiced fruited malt brew gains burnt wood attenuation, sour coffee-chocolate strut, deep cherry ripeness, and herbal-tobacco accent ’til dry prune punctuation embellishes barleywine finish for debonair digestif.
TRAQUAIR HOUSE ALE
Roasted barleymalt thickness and warm alcohol punch underscore suitable mahogany-hued ale. Gentle water texture softens chocolate-y malt permeation and fruity barleywine illusion to subdued sweet molasses finish. Rather buoyant and smooth despite full-bodied Scottish ale complexity.
(ROCHEFORT) BELGIAN TRAPPIST ROCHE BEER
Pour slowly classy limited edition brown-bodied 9.2% alcohol-smitten smoked beer (to avoid over-carbonation). Whiskey malt sweetness, orange peel bittering, and subtle hop restraint develop better flavor profile if allowed to breathe in the glass. Pleasant barley strand emerges alongside medicinal backdrop where citrus-aided prune juice motif enjoins busy mix. Despite limited appeal for mainstream crowd, experienced pros will enjoy fascinatingly unpredictable splendor.
(SAINT REMY) TRAPPISTES ROCHEFORT ALE 10
Astounding 11.3% alcohol volume introduces deep brown sticky-sweet barleywine-styled 11.2-ounce bottled dark ale. Full-bodied syrupy chocolate malt swagger usurps firm earthen grain foundation offsetting flowery hop snip, leaving tongue-tingling carbolic spritz. Cleanly soothing burgundy finish concentrates bittersweet tangibles beautifully, but prolonged alcohol mustiness may upset lighter tastes.
(SAINT REMY) TRAPPISTES ROCHEFORT ALE 8
Vigorously acrid 9.2% alcohol assertion nearly overwhelms persistent molasses-sweetened raisin-prune-fig swagger of sponge-y beige-headed bronze body. Creamier, dewier and more peppery-hopped than lighter ‘6’ version, spreading expectant rum-caked banana-bruised coriander-nutmeg-cinnamon illusions across brown-sugared chocolate hazelnut sustenance.
(SAINT REMY) TRAPPISTES ROCHEFORT ALE 6
Steadfast burgundy whiff and ester-y grape dryness inform sour plum-prune-fig opening of intriguing hazy copper abbey ale. Heavy molasses creaminess cloaks tropical papaya, pineapple, and banana sweetness and mocha-doused anise illusion, leaving fruitcake trail. In deep recess, vinous apple tartness, port-rum variance, and whiskey-soaked cherry nuance cuddle up.
TRAILHEAD RED AMBER ALE
Deep amber-hued medium body boasts sharp spice hop resilience and dark fruit inertia. Spruce notes penetrate mild bitter finish, receding gently into night air.
TRAFALGAR WILDBERRY MEAD
Uneven pinkish amber-hued dry-malted mead (a vintage fermented beverage with wine-like characteristics) preserves bitterly unripe raspberry-blueberry-cherry theme, tart white grape skin mouthfeel, and soured green apple-cranberry squint. Tucked beneath quiet 9% alcohol deluge lies raw honeyed wisp, burly acidity, and black currant hint.
TRADER JOE’S BOHEMIAN LAGER
Yuppie grocery chain brews clear golden bottom-fermenting lager from biscuit-y lager yeast. Sweet corn-Scotch pleasantry gains sugary cereal grain malting enlivened by salty hop bottom and perfect for mainstream crew. Inconsequential yet appeasing. Picture of similar Vienna lager to left.
TRACTOR SOD BUSTER PALE ALE
Terribly tinny rocky-headed amber-hazed pale ale with ‘sod-like’ earthen parch, scorched barnyard-hay astringency, dehydrated fig rig, and green apple souring muddling phenol Cascade-hopped lemon-bruised orange-grapefruit bittering. Topsoil bottom picks up strange celery-carrot vegetation, curtailing tacky honey-malted caramel sugaring.