Fine dry-hopped bittering affirms lively lemony orange peel tongue and perfumed floral vibrancy topping buttery biscuit base to wheat-cracked toasted barley finish. Medium-bodied Prohibition knockoff’s tertairy pineapple-peach-melon conflux and brisk citrus finish nearly undermined by tinny solvency.
Monthly Archives: January 2009
SPATEN PREMIUM LAGER
Heineken crowd will gobble up versatile mild-malted bitter-hopped pilsner-like helles lager as less filling, lighter-bodied substitute. But lemony quince wince, uncertain caramel backdrop, and soapy dough finish mar its Euro-trash simplicity.
SPATEN OPTIMATOR DOPPELBOCK
Determined cola-hued double bock counters hop-roasted Vienna-Munich caramel malt sweetness with deceptive dry-fruited cocoa dusting. Cherry-soured fig-raisin core lures viscous Merlot grape nape and distant chicory coffee scour. Marshmallow, butterscotch, and anise detected deep down.
SPATEN OKTOBERFEST UR-MARZEN
Too light, unassuming for serious consideration despite claim to fame as first Oktoberfest brewed in 1872. Sweet brown sugared molasses malts enrich gentle barley-rye toasting as softening red ale-like citric hop spiciness dissipates rapidly, leaving toffee aftertaste tentative.
SPATEN CLUB WEISSBIER
Thick yeast sweetness counters mellow wheat-backed banana impetus of foamy-headed softie for unoriginal, though satisfying, lightweight. Soured citrus pleat and perfumed hop mist add depth.
SPANISH PEAKS WINTER CHEER HEARTY WINTER ALE
Busy coppery garnet medium body could pass as nut brown ale as dry Brazil nut-walnut component rises above cocoa buttered raspberry puree sweetness. Roasted cola beans, sugar plum, and earthen tobacco fill out hop-spiced pine-tipped nutmeg-cinnamon bog.
SPANISH PEAKS WHITE ALE
Peculiar turbid yellow belly aligns fruit-spiced malted hops in offbeat manner. Tangy orange peel luster, zesty grapefruit-lemon pith tartness, and black-peppered coriander-clove seasoning embittered by hop-spritzed grain persistence. Grassy hay-leather component found on milder second passing. Better choice than Celis White Ale as toned down carbonation, mountain water briskness, and softening citric finish illuminate better. Perfect with spicy foods or barbecued meat.
SPANISH PEAKS SUMMER WHITE ALE
Fruitful herb-spiced ’07 seasonal (contract brewed by Wild Goose) is well balanced moderate-bodied Belgian-styled witbier with peppery coriander spicing inundating bright orange peel expectancy to thin biscuit-y wheat spine. Refreshing eucalyptus-spearmint perk uplifts lemony bruised orange midst, effervescent tangerine-pineapple tang, and slim candied tartness of commendable knockoff.
SPANISH PEAKS PORTER
Dark as the evening sky, coffee-enriched porter promptly backs charred grain bittering with syrupy vanilla-chocolate malt sweetness. Though sticky maple outlines lingered mocha finish, too mild for full-bodied porter.
SPANISH PEAKS PEACHES & CREAM ALE
Decent rust-clouded summertime brew retains strong peach tang, but airy creaminess and phenol hop fizz make distinctions ineffective.
SPANISH PEAKS NUT BROWN ALE
Fine black chocolate-y walnut-macadamia theme enforced by caramelized maple-sapped vanilla latte creaminess. Though too light and watery to compete with serious nut brown challengers, understated butterscotch appeal suits lighter tastes well. (Now brewed in Saratoga Springs, New York).
SPANISH PEAKS MONTEREY PALE ALE
Almond-toasted barley-roasted flaked oats counter spiced hop dryness that recedes by slim citric-teased finish. Closer to a sweet amber ale.