Promising coffee-oiled cappuccino entry and transient cocoa-dried dark chocolate spell bring dissipating up-front pleasantry. But oats-charred hop bittering and ashen tar acridity subsume initial mocha bounty as well as ancillary dried-fruited cherry-fig souring and smoked nut segue, allowing musty earthen graining to relegate mushroomed piney bottom.
Monthly Archives: January 2009
WOLAVERS BROWN ALE
Sweet yeast aromatics grace organic barley-hop palate, initiating elegant butterscotch mouthfeel complemented by silken crisp-watered carbonation. Only the quickly dissipating mocha finish keeps this from absolute perfection.
WITKAP-PATER ABBEY-SINGEL ALE
Yet another brew that rips us off for .8 ounces (11.2 oz. instead of 12). Smooth, somewhat fruity Belgium ale goes down like clove-spiced champagne. Musty apple-pear misting and phenolic lemony grapefruit dissonance reach ransacked doughy bottom. A tad too sudsy to fully satisfy the beast within, lacking body and character (especially when compared to finer Belgian ales).
WIT BOCK BLACK
Black-as-night Belgian bock with brown chocolate sweetness, stiff hop bite, and stout-heavy mocha finish softened by toned down grain subtleties. Muted fruit spicing and orange blossom inflate deep roasted caramel malt backdrop of unexpectedly gentle ‘black beer.’ Brewery defunct: 2005.
(SPRING STREET) WIT BLACK WHEAT ALE
Made from a 1444 recipe, this reddish-brown Belgian-styled ale has sassy appeal but lacks focus. Dark roasted grains blend with exotic spices and smoked mocha-chocolate, but flaccid wheat finish needs extra strength. Brewery defunct: 2005.
(SPRING STREET) WIT AMBER
Deceptive prune-hued wheat brew gives unexpected dry plum essence a flirtatious chocolate truffle shuffle and teasing caramel lag countering butterscotch-candied souring to slim lemon-coriander coil. Brewery defunct: 2005.
WILLOUGHBY WHEAT
Ticklish hop fizz delicately underscores water-softened chaff wheat profile of straw-hued light body. Grassy mouthfeel permeates tempered peat-backed oats nuance, casual grain bitterness, and slight banana snip, but uninvolved finish fades to sweet pilsner-like oblivion.
WILLOUGHBY RAILWAY RAZZ ALE
Pink-magenta head fades as easy flowin’ raspberry nose confirms fizz-hopped berry permanence, mild cherry tartness, and red grape hint. But soft wheat backbone and soapy finish dilute fructose funk.
WILLOUGHBY PALE ALE
Bitter-hopped fresh hay persistence and concurring earthy wheat husk embody translucent dry-bodied ale. Grassy mouthfeel complements tea leaf midst, leathery bottom, and rye malt aftertaste.
WILLOUGHBY IRISH RED ALE ALE
Deep amber Irish-styled ale opens with raspy fruited hop bitterness, but weak grain foundation and soapy finish obstruct buttery malt seduction.
WILLIAMSBURG WASHINGTON PORTER
Inviting mahogany-hued tan-headed medium body integrates oily coffee bean sourness, underlying espresso bitterness, and harsh nuttiness with oak-dried hop-charred smoked hickory protrusion. Roasted chocolate malts waver in and out of black licorice binge, tar-like singe, and charcoal tinge. Brewery defunct: 2006.
WILLIAMSBURG WHEAT
Fizzy hazy golden bottle conditioned dry wheat beer retains sour lemony orange tartness as banana-pineapple-quince illusions caress corky parch. As citric finish recedes, bleached-out honeyed barley roast advances. Brewery defunct: 2006.