Likable moderate-bodied yellow-hazed pale ale (with unobtrusive 7.3% alcohol) plies candi-sugared Belgian yeast sweetness to white-peppered clove-coriander-saffron spicing as well as curacao orange, white grape, apricot, and mango tartness for summery Saison-like sensation. Banana bubblegum illusions emerge as polite lemon pith bittering heightens dry citric finish.
All posts by John Fortunato
GREAT DIVIDE FRESH HOP PALE ALE
Laudable clear amber medium-bodied ‘hophead’ fave updated from initial ‘Maverick’ version listed below. Dry pine needled green hop prickle given lemony grapefruit, orange peel, and juniper bitterness contrasting luscious spruce-sapped peach-nectarine sweetness to biscuit-y wheat bottom. Spicy floral-herbal tinge envelops tertiary fresh-cut grass, resinous hemp, and moldy wood remnants.
GREAT DIVIDE DENVER PALE ALE
Cordial candied malt sweetness overlays crisp spruced hop bitterness, but dark citrus undertones unable to overcome stark grain frivolity of hazy amber light body.
GREAT DIVIDE BEE STING HONEY GOLDEN ALE
Ill-defined ruddy-clouded moderation balances bittersweet honey tartness with lackluster sourdough dryness. Poor, undeveloped finish lacks honey essence to set it apart and earn its moniker.
GREAT DIVIDE ARAPAHOE AMBER ALE
Not far removed from tepid Bee Sting Honey Golden, though surprisingly, the honey flavoring sticks out more for this timidly indistinct amber. Supposed “nutty malt” influence dulls by unsettling sour citric-rotted finish.
GRAY’S OATMEAL STOUT
Robust mahogany dry stout gains lactic chocolate malt creaminess above black cherry tartness and coffee bean bitterness, forging superb black mocha assertion. Hop-roasted oats toasting begets latent wood-smoked char.
GRAY’S HONEY ALE
Sunny citrus-scented pale-bodied hop-fizzed mediocrity with sour lemon drop theme hems negligible wheat influence into limpid acidic finish. Shifty orange-dried tartness cedes mere honey postscript.
GRAY’S BLACK & TAN
Pert roasted hop impression greets dry chocolate malt sweetness and receding cocoa hint. Though better than most bottled B&T’s, oily finish disturbs deep mocha assertion.
GRASSHOPPER WHEAT ALE
Not necessarily your typical German-styled kristalweizen, lacking initial carbonated thrust, assertive banana backing, and sweet wheat wine-y nose. Never too strong and a tad flat, its roasted barley-wheat essence doused too quickly by watery crispness. Now brewed by Canada’s Big Rock.
GRAND TETON SWEETGRASS INDIA PALE ALE
Bright spruce-y nectar surge elevates sticky tropical fruitiness and juicy tangerine tang, nicely countering prolonged lemon-hopped bittering. Pleasant citric malt finish ebbs as mountain water crispness crystallizes surfacing floral notes.
GRAND TETON BITCH CREEK E.S.B. ALE
Well-rounded English-styled Bitter connects initial barley-roasted earthiness to sweetly soured clover-honeyed cocoa-powdered mocha muck. Rye-pumpernickel breading and recurrent dried cherry-apple sweetness broaden scope. Damning phenolic astringency is only drawback.
GRAIN BELT PREMIUM LAGER
Dinky Scotch malt essence, dewy earthiness, and aromatic cream corn sweetness peak early, allowing pettily dry banana-agave tinge to perk up unsettled cloy finish. Serve to lightweights only. Now brewed by August Schell.