Well-established brown-bodied dry stout brings creamy cascading froth and aromatic mocha-nut ogle to mellow coffee bean entry. Grain-toasted chocolate malt solace and watery texture soften over time. Recessive hazelnut, cola nut, and walnut notes linger softly. Compared to thicker, richer Irish stouts, a tad flat or unassuming, though subtle nature perfect for less hearty thirsts at sunny afternoon barbecue.
All posts by John Fortunato
MURPHY’S AMBER ALE
Admittedly, this amber ale must be a bit stronger and flavorful when brewed for Irish consumption (especially on tap), but imported version is too light, watery, and conventional. Rich mocha creaminess and whiskey malt impression relegated to mild hop-roasted background status, leaving auburn amber too soft for serious drinkers.
(HOFBRAU) KINDL WEISSBIER
Explosive carbolic overload of fluffy white-headed russet-bodied German weiss leaves clinging Brussels lace along glass. Cracked wheat spine straggles orange peeled banana-clove illusions, but watery texture flattens out its true character, ruining smattered butterscotch, prune, and vanilla notes.
(HOFBRAU) ALTESTER MAI BOCK
Munich’s 1st bock since 1614 retains hearty chocolate malt sweetness and sturdy ripe raisin persistence. Supportive mocha-spiced hop bite tantalizes butterscotch creaminess and nimble burnt caramel tinge.
MOYLAN’S TIPPERARY PALE ALE
Pour slowly explosive, rocky-headed, wholly organic Californian or wait out billowing foam. Candied yeast sweetness counters sour honeyed malts and dry floral-hopped bouquet of blossom, gypsum and rosewood. Fresh cut grass and wheat straw earthiness given ginger-spiced dalliance mid-palate, broadening sunny orange, tangerine, apricot, and lemon accents.
MOYLAN’S OLD BLARNEY BARLEYWINE ALE
Perhaps closer to extremely sweet brandy or raisin-dried porter since terrific syrupy malt sinew and thick prune depth offer full-bodied richness. Inviting caramel, cocoa, chocolate, and molasses creaminess increases mighty complexity. Spiced hop bitterness underpins milky malted flow to further accent fabulous Irish-styled champion.
MOYLAN’S MOYLANDER DOUBLE I.P.A. ALE
Incredible coppery-russet full body fills frontal lobe with expansively aromatic pine needle abruptness dominating lusty alcoholic front end. Deepening floral wheat setting receives spice-hopped rosewood bittering thusly absorbed by chewy cookie dough thickness and honeysuckle sweetness. Piney theme eventually evens out as vinous grape esters, dry lemon pith, and tertiary orange marmalade, peach melba, and grapefruit rind illusions rise above grassy bottom.
MOYLAN’S KILT LIFTER SCOTCH ALE
Nice n’ smooth tawny-hued rust-headed moderate body manages to retain full-flavored assertion. Scotch whiskey essence gains tangy bruised orange regalia over its welcoming candy apple path leading into a sturdy tangerine spleen. Barren nuttiness affects off-dry hops. Bitter cocoa malts carve earthen peat trail, accruing a smidgen of dried fruit esters.
MOYLAN’S INDIA PALE ALE
Explosive carbonation, festooned caramel creaminess, and frisky piney hop bittering outline organic citric-grained facade of billowy flush-headed golden body. Elegant sweet yeast essence grips stunning orange fruitiness and subsequent stimulating spiciness. Pour slowly to let it breathe properly for best effect. Only regret: citric component should linger on tongue longer.
MOYLAN’S IMPERIAL STOUT
Impeccable black-bodied stout brings sweet chocolate overtones to expresive espresso bittering, judicious vanilla creaminess and rich nutty bottom. Tertiary prune, golden raisin and black licorice illusions complement strong mocha malt pungency. Arguably the finest Imperial available.
MOYLAN’S HOPSICKLE IMPERIAL I.P.A.
Bold coppery triple-hopped (Cascade-Centennial-Tomahawk) India Pale Ale with pushy 9.2% alcohol flow stays strong as honeyed nectar sweetness and sticky spruce malting complement tenacious piney resin bittering. Curvaceous grapefruit-orange rind souring and expansive floral-backed juniper snip likewise counteract tropical pineapple-honeydew-passion fruit tang thereafter. Rosemary, thyme, and wildflower linger below woodsy trail.
(CARDINAL) MOUSSY NON-ALCOHOL LAGER
Best alcohol-free bid comes from this creamy-headed ice tea-hued Swiss. Rye bread nose expands barley-wheat roast and washed-out caramel snip to dry finish as crystal rainwater flow saunters.