Monthly Archives: October 2012

LONG TRAIL IMPERIAL PUMPKIN ALE

Beers A-Z

Dryer and more alcohol burnt (8%) than most stylistic competitors, 2012 autumnal seasonal takes sinewy gourd-spiced bittering to whiskey-licked medicinal candied finish. Metallic astringency absorbs nutmeg, allspice, ginger and cinnamon spicing plus red cherry, orange and tangerine snip, leaving slight vegetal whim at the backend. Serve to open-minded British bitter imbibers during Octoberfest as a musky alternative.

 

TERRAPIN/ SHMALTZ REUNION ALE (2012)

Beers A-Z
Invitingly diverted cinnamon-toasted Graham cracker frontage picks up huge dextrose-sugared cocoa nibs/ vanilla conflux for uniquely hybridized brown ale. Beneath, soft liquor-stained vodka smoothing cuts through sharp dried fruited spell and Cafe Du Mond chicory coffee niche. In deep recess, almondine, chestnut, toffee and milky Yoo-Hoo chocolate illusions add further richness.
 

 Shmaltz and Terrapin offer us 'A Beer for Hope' - Plano craft beer

CLOWN SHOES VAMPIRE SLAYER SMOKED IMPERIAL STOUT

Beers A-Z
Broad-ranging lactic full body allows ‘vampire killing stakes,’ malt-smoked hickory and ashen resin to promulgate wood-burnt bittering contrasted by everlasting milk-sugared dark chocolate theme. Relaxing bourbon vanilla and Jack Daniels whiskey tones waver beside dried-fruited black cherry, raisin and fig snip as well as wispy anise, cardomom and black currant nuances. Mild espresso tinge fortifies rich molasses-sweetened mocha finish.    

CISCO ISLAND RESERVE RUSSIAN IMPERIAL STOUT

Beers A-Z
Dissuasive full-bodied stout unconvincingly blends deep anise richness into molasses-buttered pumpernickel breading, Tootsie Roll-like sweetness and mild dark-roasted coffee bittering. Furthermore, despite its softly creamed Godiva chocolate froth and tertiary brown-sugared cola-hazelnut roast, the expansive flavonoids don’t mesh as well as more regimented and stylistically specific Imperials marketed towards mocha lovers.
 

 Cisco Island Reserve Series Russian Imperial Stout | GreatBrewers.

RUCKUS EUPHORIA BELGIAN-STYLE TRIPEL

Beers A-Z
Stimulatingly euphoric ‘ale brewed with spices’ places candi-sugared yeast and sweetly soured citric fruiting above soft-hopped sourdough breading. Subtle ethanol burn scours lemony orange juicing, tangy cherry-peach-canteloupe-melon-pineapple gleam, ripened banana sweetness and withering white grape tannins as spice-racked white peppering contrasts almond-buttered butterscotch and vanilla dalliance. 

SIERRA NEVADA BEER CAMP FLORAL I.P.A.

Beers A-Z
On tap at Andy’s Corner Bar, vaguely defined English-styled India Pale Ale nonetheless scores points for intriguing hybridized blend. ‘Floral’ rose hips, rose petal, honeysuckle, dandelion, lavender and wildflower illusions merely play backup for lacquered lemon-orange-grapefruit zest, resinous hop-oiled pine needling and white-peppered tea-leafed herbage. Sweet caramel malted backbone brings sugary resolve to hop-prickled fruited floral frolic, negating phenol-spiced metallic reminder.

 

SIERRA NEVADA BEER CAMP OATMEAL STOUT

Beers A-Z
On tap at Andy’s Corner Bar, middling full-bodied after dinner drink (a.k.a. Snowed In Imperial Oatmeal Stout) retains silken dark-brown chocolate creaminess over rolled oats-smoked cocoa beaning and mild molasses-draped caramelization. Bourbon vanilla-extracted serenity hits the midst alongside soy-milked espresso tinge, teasing fennel-anise nip and restraint nuttiness. But slick mocha finish allows slight plasticity to sully its rangy profile.

SAMUEL ADAMS FAT JACK DOUBLE PUMPKIN ALE

Beers A-Z
Luxurious 2012-vintage Imperial Pumpkin Ale offers powerful gingerbread-glazed pumpkin pie spicing to brown-sugared nutmeg-cinnamon-cardomom-allspice sweetness above sharp carbolic hop briskness. On tap, sugar plum, dried cherry, pecan, vanilla and caraway illusions firm up the busy backend. Spiced rum boozing and tingly brandy nip add boozy whir. Bottled version may have less creamy sugar-spiced malt thrust, coarser wood-grained bourbon smidge and astringent gourd glitch, but its raspy cinnamon-toasted pumpkin spicing loses little luster.