Generic honey-browned ruby-tinged German-styled altbier from Vietnam tosses soured chocolate malt astringency across rice-sweetened powdery cocoa parch. Metallic cardboard ridge depletes mild raisin-date snip and raw molasses acridity. Frisky 5% alcohol range, relatively high for Asian brew, never impinges.
All posts by John Fortunato
HUMES STEEP CANYON STOUT
Decisive brown-hued beige-bubbled stout with extremely strong coffee persistence gains rich smoked mocha bitterness by dry hop finish as ripe citrus and black licorice form backdrop. White resin flakes, creamy malt extract, and sediment at bottom doubtlessly boost flavoring. Brewery defunct: 2002.
HUMES OLD HOP HEAD BARLEYWINE STYLE ALE
Frothily cloudy reddish beige-headed barleywine brings sour yeast assertion, malted grain sinew and fruited hop sharpness to sturdily creamy body. Flat finish lacks stylish intention, but retains thorough consistency as worthy second-tier contender. Brewery defunct: 2002.
HUMES JAIPUR PALE ALE
Caramel malt abundance, sweet barley conduit, and lively citric hop pivot provide enormous up-front appeal. Wicked malt-lacquered finish picks up mint-y tingle and medicinal riptide that never distract pale ale essence. Blows away the competition. Brewery defunct: 2002.
(HUMES) CAVEDALE ALE
Fruity wine essence, lively hop presence, and sticky yeast sweetness contain dissipating berry tang before sourdough bitterness collars smoky ash finish. Tart orange peel backdrop further refines well crafted easy-drinkin’ ale. Brewery defunct: 2002.
HUMBOLDT WINTER NECTAR HOLIDAZE ALE
Dazzling winter brew as refreshingly crisp as a cold December evening offers dark fruitiness to sedate cinnamon-coriander-clove seasoning contrasting sharp juniper-hopped bitterness. Chewy caramel malt creaminess gains sweet nectar and candied maple dalliance beneath.
HUMBOLDT RED NECTAR ALE
Wholly organic amber-styled ale guided by musty mildewed malts, mineral grains, and bitter hops. Clustered berry-nut tones underpin subtlest nectar sweetness. At fruity finish, resounding orange peel bittering gathers mossy intrigue.
HUMBOLDT OATMEAL STOUT
HUMBOLDT HEMP ALE
Here’s some competition for mighty Hempen Ale! Made with hemp seed, this 5.7% alcohol brew backs sweet malt consistency and bitter hop shard with robust graining. Hemp adds thick resin to pungent earthen finish. Serve to weary stoners.
HUE LAGER
Sparkly carbonation, tepid malt sweetness, and lively hop bittering inform unassuming lager too plain and simple to attract serious attention and closer to boring domestic pilsners than inviting Asian imports.
HUDSON VALLEY RIP’S HOP AWAKENING PALE ALE
Dry-hopped citrus-scented pale ale links organic grains to fresh mineral water flow. Heavily hopped sweet barley template ensues. Brewery defucnt: 2002.
HUDSON VALLEY OLD MAN ALE
Don’t let the rancid flatulent aroma fool you! This fine moderate-bodied burgundy-hued fruity-hopped ale welcomes earthen-grained chocolate-embittered nutty subtleties and dark-spiced adjuncts. Reminiscent of seasoned holiday ale thanks to lilting nutmeg-plum tinge. Brewery defunct: 2002.