Monthly Archives: February 2013

HARPOON DIRECTOR’S CUT

Splotchy chestnut-browned pale ale/stout mixture needs better definition as Black & Tan styling. Ashen hop-charred walnut and Brazil nut rut as well as distant molasses-smoked chocolate malting fail to register properly above moderate citric splurge. Minor grapefruit peel bittering, wavered tobacoo roast and wispy plum wining lose out to overt carbolic fizz.
 
Press Release: Harpoon 100 Barrel Series Director's Cut Ale Now

WILLIAMSBURG ALEWERKS DRAKE TAIL INDIA PALE ALE

Highly approachable IPA places spruce-sugared brown pear, yellow apple, red cherry, nectarine and pineapple fruiting against pine-combed yellow grapefruit bittering. Creamy crystal malting heightens the sweet side while plush floral spicing decorates the juicy fruited confines. Citric-oiled tangerine, clementine and navel orange undertones gain prominence over time.  

 

 

TERRAPIN HOP KARMA BROWN INDIA PALE ALE

Massive nuttiness affirmatively alters the dark-fruited India Pale Ale nature of hybridized medium-to-full body. Brown Ale-like hazelnut-chestnut sweetness (and walnut bittering) deepen caramel-burnt dark chocolate malting. Molasses-sugared fig, raisin and plum tones coarsen toasted hop astringency. In comparison, Black IPA’s (or Cascadian Darks) utilize piney citric bitterness to counter the mocha tendencies, whereas Hop Karma relies instead upon roasted nuttiness.

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STONE 16th ANNIVERSARY IPA W/ GREEN TEA LEAFS

On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead, hybridized green tea-leafed version of lemon-sweetened Imperial IPA gains sweeter herbal sugaring and creamier malt penetration to counter bitterer citric-peeled tartness. Lemon verbena entry bulked up by ancillary orange-oiled pine nut, lemongrass, ginger, chamomile and eucalyptus illusions. Wispy blood orange, nectarine and apricot undertones flutter. Dependent upon one’s tolerance for green tea’s musky earthiness unsettling the fruiter aspects, it’s probably an acquired taste to the uninformed.
Stone 16th Anniversary IPA w/ Green Tea Leaves - Stone Brewing | Photos -  Untappd
Stone - 16th Anniversary IPA w/Green Tea Leaves ~ mybeerbuzz.com

FLYING DOG LUCKY S.O.B. IRISH STYLE RED ALE

4-leaf clovers added to St. Patrick’s Day (2013) Irish Red Ale may not influence pleasant medium body in any noticeble way, but the dry peated whiskey overtones should suffice. Sweet crystal and caramel malts enhance its citric-spiced spritz and rye-breaded biscuit bottom. Alcohol-burnt hop astringency may overly embitter tart orange candied finish. ‘Lucky’ son of a bitch on the label’s a scream. On tap at Andy’s Corner Bar, honey-toasted Vienna malt creaming, spiced orange-cherry tang and grassy hop astringency lead the way.

 Flying Dog Lucky SOB Irish Red Ale six-packs make debut | BeerPulse

BEAR REPUBLIC RACER X DOUBLE IPA

Only a tad bolder than sterling Racer 5 despite doubling down on the oily pine hop bittering. Sugary peach, pineapple, mango, guava and tangerine tropicalia contrasts moderate pine-needled grapefruit rind bite. Floral-spiced lemon zest further freshens its spruce-tipped citric fruiting above the buttery caramel malting. Tertiary red apple, brown pear and marmalade illusions play possum. Hopheads unite!
 

DOGFISH HEAD NOBLE ROT

Well-constructed wine-like saison brings rotted lemon and orange putrification to vinous white and green grape esters. Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and dry champagne wining receives raw-honeyed Belgian yeast barnyard funk as well as musty cellar-like pungency. White-peppered grassy hops lightly affect sour grape scape and latent green apple tartness.
 
Dogfish Head Noble Rot | Beer Street Journal