Rich ink black stout with sturdy 9% alcohol rush brings up-front black chocolate roast to coffee-burnt cappuccino nexus, leaving tar-like maple-molasses gunk along the way. Concealed oak-dried black cherry souring tempers murky oatmeal-walnut bottom. Only its phenol acridity mars perfection.
Monthly Archives: January 2009
THIRSTY DOG OLD LEGHUMPER ROBUST PORTER
Cascading brown head, brawny cola hue, and musty mocha waft introduce creamy caramel-malted porter. Dry coffee frontage and black licorice jot increase sharp hop-roasted dark chocolate bottom to Scotch-licked burnt maple finish. Charred wood, chewing tobaco, and tar accents add further depth.
THIRIEZ XXTRA GOLDEN FARMHOUSE ALE
Prickly dry-hopped Saison-styled farmhouse ale varies only a tad from brewers’ less resinous Blonde. Green-bottled pearly-headed yellow-clouded medium body with meringue head opens extremely carbolic. But as piney rough edge and waning leathery horse blanket waft soften, zesty lemony orange rind bittering slips into summery tangerine-melon-banana tropicalia, accruing orange blossom honey luster. Herbaceous ginger-thyme-clove schism and floral illusions stir up earthen balsam base, enhancing grassy hop constancy. Buttery white wine finish receives minor ester-y grape mustiness countering slim marshmallow sweetness.
THIRIEZ BLONDE FARMHOUSE ALE
Fine straw-hazed yeast-viscous Saison-styled farmhouse ale may ‘waft’ between cereal grained pilsner and funky Dutch lager, but its kaffir lime piquancy, precocious wildflower-honeysuckle mirage, and remedial tropical fruiting tell the story. Dry-hopped earthen barnyard bottom gains footing atop herbal thyme-rosemary-geranium sequence until acetous grapefruit rind, yellow grape skin, and apple-pear confluence overcome effervescent lemon meringue fizz, picking up candi-sugared butterscotch sweetness along the way. Quite approachable and easygoing when given chance to breathe.
THIRIEZ AMBER FARMHOUSE ALE
Highly carbolic fizz-crackling gossamer-like pearl-headed moderate body leaves ample lace along glass siding. Spritzy lemon zest, fuzzy apricot-nectarine tang, and spiced Granny Smith apple tartness fade into raw wheat-chaffed spine. Dank barnyard waft permeates mildewed yeast imprint, sopping up rising banana-butterscotch swirl, sparse raisin-fig dryness, and distant cardamom-coriander-cinnamon spicing.
THIRD COAST OLD ALE
Suspended yeast particles and sunny lemon turbidity welcome sassy spruce-hopped mineral-grained bitter. Molasses-caramel malts and black licorice counter lemony green apple finish to biscuit bottom. Richer and more complex than most easygoing blonde ales.
THE UNDERGROUND PREMIUM ALE
Dark rust-hued brew buttresses perfumed hop aroma, nutty mocha bitterness, and barley-roasted graining with buttery malt perusal, nicking brown ale styling. Only disappointment comes when lingering sweet ‘n’ sour balance dips below shallow watery texture, giving soft finish neutral blandness.
THE UNDERGROUND OLDE SUDBURY PREMIUM ALE
Light, watery, unobtrusive New England ale brags about its ‘hoppy’ 19th century history. Bitter nuttiness forms at back of the throat but slim fruitiness, spritzy carbonation, and unstable barleymalt spine lack assertiveness. For amateurs ready to crossover from run of the mill pilsners to microbrewed ales only.
THE UNDERGROUND HIPPIE-JIM’S YELLOW SUBMARINE PALE ALE
Hippie chic psychedelic bee label, citrus-y ‘Hempen Ale’ aroma, and fruited pale malts confront bitter-grained luster for rich frothy-headed complexity. Heavy Brussels lace coats the top as yeast sediment cakes the bottom of mellow Beatles-inspired curiosity.
THE UNDERGROUND DIRTY BLONDE PREMIUM ALE
Flat auburn-bodied short-headed blonde greeted by gently watered dirty grains before soft hop fizz and aromatic fruitiness brighten otherwise sterile finish.
THE SHED MOUNTAIN ALE
Surging tar-coal-tobacco chew acerbity imbues heartily bitter walnut-hued ‘strong American Ale,’ deepening hop-charred smoked wood buttress ’til clean spring water finish prevails. Resinous black chocolate, licorice, and fig add soured resilience.
THE RAVEN SPECIAL LAGER
Bright golden amber brings raspy spice-hop bitterness to wheat-roasted cereal grain sweetness. Noticeable sinewy yeast texture increases resolve and insinuating red-fruited spiciness puts it closer to a red ale.