Thin mineral-grained barleycorn honeying connects earthen wheat dryness to tinny hop resin of Vienna malt-sweetened moderation. Pecan-dabbed peach-apricot muting registers far below.
All posts by John Fortunato
(GREEN VALLEY) STONE MILL PALE ALE
Disturbingly acidic Anheuser-Busch castoff besets faint Cascade hops with thin barleycorn outline, dried-out grapefruit contour, and fluctuant buttery malt spine. Diacetyl flow dampers tea-like drift and vegetal accrual.
GREENSHIELDS WIT
Tenderly pumpkin-spiced clove-hopped wheat beer is merely moderate Belgian knockoff. Needs more apropos banana hint. Brewery closed due to fire 2004.
GREENSHIELDS STOUT
Acrid lemon rind-soured coffee bitterness overwhelms mild nuttiness, nimble mocha-toffee touch, and indiscernible black cherry wisp before dry pine-oak finish thaws to tannic white grape tartness weirdly reminiscent of Belgian gueuze ales. Brewery closed due to fire 2004.
HACKER-PSCHORR WEISSE BOCK
Honeyed wheat aromatics entice rich barley-oats graining, clove-spiced pep, and raisin-fig ascension unexpectedly upstaged by barleywine insistence. Mild caramel malt creaminess fortifies atypical German bock.
HACKER-PSCHORR HEFE WEISSE
Pez-like lemony fizz overwhelms delicate banana-clove-coriander sweetness. Honeyed crystal malts fluff up sour citric tang and dashing floral bouquet, but the body lacks.
HACKER-PSCHORR ORIGINAL OKTOBERFEST
From the oldest original Oktoberfest brewery in Germany (1417), consistently fine bohemian autumn brew will fill you up but won’t get you heavy. Soft-toned quince-gourd spicing enhances gently bitter hop fizz, delicate barley-oats wraparound, and buttery wheat biscuit sentiment soothing lemony orange-peeled nutmeg-clove balm to sourdough bottom.
HACKER-PSCHORR MARZEN AMBER ALE
Sessionable copper-toned amber goes down smooth, taking middle road as far as Germany’s stronger wheat ales are concerned. Tempered caramelized malts, bitter spice hops, and astringent alcohol bite never overwhelm.
HACKER-PSCHORR EDELHELL MUNICH LAGER
Silken pilsner-related honeyed wheat sweetness cloaks moderate hop-spiced mineral graining that recedes quickly as overriding lime-like fizz knocks back mild bitterness. Brisk water flow adds to refreshing nature. Perfect for Rebel Bohemian Pilsner or Budweiser fans.
HACKER-PSCHORR DUNKEL WEISSE
Delicious pearly-headed dark wheat saddles lusty banana-clove-coriander theme with sweet ‘n sour orange tang and vanilla-spiced nutmeg-jasmine easement to baked bread spine of totally exquisite German.
HACKER-PSCHORR ALT MUNICH DARK
Up-front sweet ‘n sour bitterness formed by chocolate malts, roasted barley, and tart lemony clove snip for ruddy-hued Bavarian dunkel. Caramelized malt tuft and vanilla wafer illusion soften earthen grain presence by dry powdered mocha finish.
HAAGEN LAGER
Though retaining more body than most pale lagers, lackluster Aussie’s fizzy corn sugar flow and buttery cereal grain complacency negatively affect soapy finish. Washed out caramel malts sink below diacetyl slurp.