Inadequate dry moderation becomes acidic as washed-out orange candy blip, dried apple quip, and unripe cherry snip quickly recede to tinny void. Earthen backdrop obstructs tenuous spicing.
All posts by John Fortunato
JEROME CERVEZA NEGRA
Negligible mahogany-hued dry stout ransacks milk-soured chocolate malting, settling for coarsely char-hopped burnt toast innocuousness. Prickly Concord grape esters affect muted prune-raisin chasm and black licorice stint but deplorably relegate coffee bean discretion.
JEROME CERVEZA DIABLO
Blasé golden-hazed English-styled strong ale from South America debunks hearty expectancy. Lively corn-husked lemony peach spritz, dinky herbal lick, and flighty almond clip lean against frail wheat backbone.
JENLAIN FRENCH COUNTRY ALE
Thick-headed honey-toned rustic-grained lightweight (a.k.a. Jenlain Ambree) mired by rigid hop-stricken astringency. Unlike many French ales, lacking wine-y appeal. Instead, light watery flow flattens barley-oats spine and tangy fruit adjuncts for boring finish.
JENLAIN FARMHOUSE ALE
Soft-toned chestnut-hued fleshy-headed amber ale boasts crisp artisan water, emitting floral, cedar, and earthen horsehide-hay illusions to subtle grain-toasted finish, where delicately embalmed cork dryness picks up barleywine lick.
JENLAIN BLONDE PUR MALT
Buttery white-headed straw-bodied French golden ale retains musty malt pungency countering corn-sugared challah breading and honeyed yeast sweetness. Gentle barley bottom reinforces peppery hop fizzle, but spiced fruitiness is lost.
JENLAIN BIERE DE NOEL
Surreptitiously soured cork-wafted winter warmer (with 6.8% alcohol) provides sugar plummed fig-prune-cherry surge to recessive nutmeg-cinnamon tingle and earthen herbal subtlety. Vinous tannic citrus tartness and musk-y orange tang pick up barest cocoa hint by pastry-caked finish.
(JEANNE D’ARC) GRAIN D’ORGE BLONDE DES FLANDRES
Champagne-styled bottle with cork set-up contains hefty 8% alcohol abbey-styled artisan ale. Sugared barleymalts, musty wheat grass, and highly fermented herbal-spiced yeast provide straw-hued blonde with full-bodied assertiveness alleviated by resinous grain-hopped bittering to buttery caramel finish. Bold after dinner treat makes fine alternative to French wine.
(JEANNE D’ARC) BEL ZEBUTH PUR MALT STRONG ALE
Devilish reddish-golden malt-lacquered Frenchie could be better medication than Ny-quil with astounding 13% alcohol strength (second only to Sam Adams Triple Bock). Creamy cognac sweetness, chewy caramel richness, and pliant buttery yeast texture provide firm foundation for medicinal Halloween treat not for fainthearted.
(JEANNE D’ARC) AMBRE DE FLANDRES
Like fine champagne, took whiff of cork to predict worthiness. Prevalent sweet wine refinement offers exquisite tangy grape sharpness and vinous dry oak tartness to expedient grain-enriched yeast heft. Sip foamy-headed amber-hazed pleasantry slowly to enjoy every ounce.
JASPER MURDOCK’S WHISTLING PIG RED ALE
Herbal tea spicing placates earthen grains, floral hops, and vegetal backdrop. Chocolate-covered cherry undertones lace cocoa-powdered mocha bitterness surging beneath.
JASPER MURDOCK’S STACKPOLE PORTER
Though lacking specificity and mired by antiseptic roasted coffee linger, coarse cola-walnut nudge, slim black licorice resonance, and ashen earthy bottom intensify pleasing scorched wood dryness of hybridized Brit-styled (?) porter.