Flat deep burgundy English-styled brown ale spreads yummy chocolate-y hazelnut sweetness over almond-walnut subsidy and minor dried fruiting, but needs thicker malt depth.
All posts by John Fortunato
KING’S CHERRY ALE
Must quaff nickel-hued pale ale at room temperature after billowy head subsides or risk acrid Seltzer fizz overpowering shrewd fruity core and ester-y citric bittering. Red cherry essence too thin for tart lambic comparison and sterile grain malting lacks sufficient bulk, but latent green apple, yellow grape and white peach illusions fill out baked wheat bread bed nicely before dusky cherry souring prods prolonged aftertaste.
KINGFISHER PREMIUM LAGER
Gold-hazed puffy-headed musty-hopped lightweight with watery softness countering smoked malt bottom to bittersweet rye-grained finish. Brisk refreshment balances spicy Indian foods but gets soapy if warmed.
KINGFISHER LIGHT LAGER
Malted barley sweetness, smoked hop bittering, and wispy lemony snicker consume front end of unassuming lightweight. Bread-y yeast nuance underscores neutral finish.
KINGFISHER LAGER
“India’s best selling premium” suffers from soapy mouthfeel, washed-out wheat palate, and dull pale malt finish in its blah American version. Bitter fruited esters countering candy-coated backdrop insufficient to carry the load.
(W.J. KING) RED RIVER ALE
Soft flowing dry Scotch malt affluence inundates scarlet-hued medium-bodied English pale ale. Sweet grains and muted spices get musty peach-fig-plum dab.
KING & BARNES OLD PORTER STRONG DARK ALE
Somewhat peculiar chocolate porter ‘ale’ with blood-thickened yeast sediment, deep grain permeation, and minor tart-fruited holiday spicing penetrating mocha midst to evolving sugar-maple malt finish.
KING & BARNES I.P.A.
Cloudy rust-hued tan-headed full-bodied IPA places rich roasted chocolate malting atop tinseled yeast sweetness and mildly spiced hops. Lingering smoked cedar finish resonates.
KING & BARNES FESTIVE ALE
Silken bottle-conditioned caramel-hued ale with lilting barleywine essence augmenting unassuming 5.3% alcohol index. Pleasant buttery creaminess enriches gentle chocolate finish. Ultimately understated, but festive treat will please even the heartiest of thirsts.
KING & BARNES CHRISTMAS ALE
Not at all typical of spicy winter ales since nutmeg, cinnamon, and coriander don’t jump out at you. Nevertheless, refreshing chocolate mint aromatics welcomes well balanced honey-dipped maple-malted hop-fueled Brit.
KING & BARNES BROADWAY ALE
Unspecified brown ale-like mocha-nut register and subdued barley sweetness lack distinction to bland caramel finish. Bright citric-hopped tinge evaporates thusly. Brewery had been sold as of 2005 and its beers remain defunct.
KING LAGER
Muted cereal-grained crystal malt opening of soapy bronze trepidation pungently embittered by caustic citric dash. Musk-y sourdough finish picks up peppery hop fizz.