Exceptional well-rounded India Pale Ale blends zesty grapefruit-peeled orange rind bittering into candied red apple, red grape, pineapple and peach tang as sharp Cascade/ Simcoe/ Mosaic hop tropicalia gains refreshing pine-needled juniper berry bite to contrast crystal-malted mineral graining.
On tap at Amazing Grapes, well-defined firkin version of mango-spiked India Pale Ale retains expected soft-toned fruitiness and mild Mosaic hop astringency. Lively tropical fruiting rises above grassy backdrop, allowing lemony yellow grapefruit peel bittering as well as sweet orange, peach, pineapple and passionfruit tang to sidle bittersweet mango adjunct.
Valiant floral-fruited Mosaic hop zest tamped down by torrified wheat-flaked crystal malting. Mild juniper bittering and resinous pine needling contrast toasted caramel creaming, deepening lemony grapefruit tang as well as subsidiary orange, pineapple, peach, apricot, tangerine and mango illusions.
Gloriously ‘jumping on the West Coast India Pale Ale bandwagon’ with an enlightened sparkle, juicy fruited medium body loads tangy yellow grapefruit zest atop bright navel orange, pineapple, peach, tangerine and mango sweetness as well as honeyed Belgian crystal malting. For contrast, lightly resinous piney hop bittering persists.
Undemanding canned saison proves worthy with its balanced blend of honeyed Belgian yeast sinew, floral peach-apricot juicing and herbal black-peppered hop bittering. Mild pastry-sugared sourdough sweetness and tart lemony orange effervescence drift above oats-dried straw wheat spine as well.
Light lager yeast allows doughy white breading to subtly influence IPA-like lemony grapefruit-seeded orange rind bittering and mildly pungent herbal hop astringency. Floral-bound pine resin seeps inside brisk citrus finish.
Mellow oak-toasted barrel aging smooths out below softly creamed caramel malting and tropical-fruited Cascade hop briskness. Mild alcohol astringency emerges alongside lemony yellow grapefruit, navel orange, mandarin orange and tangerine tang while herbaceous basil, fern and rosemary seasoning adds complexity. But its frail white bread spine falters, allowing the ripe fruity aspects to slip thru the resinous pine-wooded cracks.
Enigmatically complex hybrid brings sour saison yeast funk to wildflower honeyed mead insistence and orange-dried oats, spelt and rye rusticity. But its abstruse blend never completely suffices as oncoming white-wined Chardonnay spell, latent cider tartness and displaced sourdough bottom receive ethyl malt liquor astringency at musky groat-milled citric finish. Nevertheless, seasoned mead drinkers may find this to be the cat’s pajamas.
Pleasurable soft-watered saison made in collaboration with Italian brewer, Birrificio del Ducato, places pepper, honey and lemon balm adjuncts alongside stylish orange and yellow fruited nature as well as sweet banana-clove licks. Palm-sugared lemon balm lightens herbal white peppering, candied grapefruit-pineapple sugaring, mild honeyed tea aspect and limey mandarin orange tartness of easygoing hybridized moderation.
On tap at Ambulance, hibiscus-flowered saison brings sweet coriander spicing to light citric souring. Zesty lemon peel tang dries out above dainty floral herbage and vinous grape esters.
On tap at Craft House, affable rye-spiced Octoberfest brings lightly mocha-smoked Vienna malting, crisp barley roast and light toffee sweetness to subtle fig-dried citric bittering, dry hop foliage and dainty floral nuances. Well-balanced, though a bit passive and ambiguous.
On tap at Poor Henry’s, sharp-spiced saison brings fig-sugared caramel malting to black-peppered lemony hop foliage and perfumed cologne restraint. Mild pecan pie sweetness overtaken by ginger, cinnamon, allspice and clove seasoning at wet leafy autumnal finish.
