Tiny Norwich Inn offers several quality one-off microbrews worth exploring (check Brewpub section). Floral rosebud-tulip-sunflower nosing and peppery-hopped citric frontage anoint tropical mango-pineapple-peach tang. Earthen grain bottom embittered by hay-horsehide acridity to complete durable cedar-tinged I.P.A.
All posts by John Fortunato
JAMES BOAG’S PREMIUM LAGER
JAG LAGER
Sharp hop fizz, corn malt usurpation, and tailing grain bitterness coerce lemon-lime briskness to watery finish, settling into medium-bodied oblivion.
JACOBINS GUEUZE LAMBIC
Fermented in oak barrels, soured lambic offers sharp citrus sweetness debunking acrid white wine pucker and earthen barnyard-hay-horsehide acridity many dry Belgian gueuze rely upon, making it easier for casual drinkers to consume. At taut finish, tart green apple concision embraces green grape esters.
JACOBINS FRAMBOISE LAMBIC
Featuring odd pink-headed copper-bodied combination and natural fruit flavor, sour-fruited Belgian retains up-front raspberry theme and vinous white grape pucker to blanched black cherry soda finish. Could be more assertive considering lambic tag, but experienced drinkers should try it out.
ITHACA PARTLY SUNNY WHEAT ALE
Vivacious light-bodied straw-glowed summertime session beer with slight turbidity retains infectious lemony clove-coriander influence, flirty banana uplift and peppery Belgian yeast-like spunk above sturdy cracked wheat base. Floral peppermint-ginger curiosity enlightens mouth-puckering hard candy tartness, cloaking petty vinous acidity.
ITHACA PALE ALE
Mildly creamy grassy-hopped ale counters sharply red-fruited orange-peeled grapefruit bittering with sweet caramel malt wake suppressed as bottle drains. Floral spicing recedes too quickly.
(ITHACA) OLD HABIT STRONG RYE ALE
Impeccable limited edition brew is truly complex. Fermented in Tennessee whiskey barrels, its toasted rye theme leads the way, informing vanilla bean, black cherry, and oaken bourbon illusions. Brown chocolate-sweetened Black Forest cake midst absorbs pureed cherry jubilee nuance contrasting bitter tobacco chew. Grainy hazelnut-cashew tease and spicy anise tinge heighten pumpernickel bread motif.
ITHACA NUT BROWN ALE
Translucent chestnut-hued light body with caramelized mocha current loses some oomph by dry macadamia-almond-butternut-induced finish, seeming too watery, oily, and reserved for its style. Creamy maple-sapped malts depart just as dirty vegetal graininess stalls interest.
(ITHACA) KAFFINATOR DOUBLE ESPRESSO BOCK
Impressive ‘continental breakfast lager’ is a fearsome doppelbock and perfect nightcap. Enormous espresso frontage allows hop-roasted ground coffee and baker’s chocolate illusions to expand atop equally compelling chewing tobacco, pine tar, and chicory bittering. Definite caffeine booster sweetened by vanilla fudged interlude and malt-smoked burnt cedar residue.
(ITHACA) GORGES SMOKED PORTER
Dry wood-burnt kindling-smoked frontage dissipates before coffee-stained tobacco leaf midst and thin chocolate roast finish intercept fluffy carbolic nature.
ITHACA FLOWER POWER INDIA PALE ALE
Foremost grapefruit-peeled orange rind bittering mellows out in front of barley-roasted wheat biscuit crisping reminiscent of a toasted lager. Lime-y mineral bottom picks up minor Scotch malt sash, clover honey hint, and quick cinnamon stint, but watery finish tires spicy hop prod. On tap at Smiling Chameleon, subtle citric bittering, ancillary pineapple tang, delicate wheat backdrop and soft-watered flow embellish approachable moderation.