Thick creamy head and extreme foamy froth receive burst of champagne-like carbonation that hits the schnozzle hard. Reminiscent of rustic American wheat ale, but not as refined or complex as fine German weiss competition. Brewery defunct: 2002.
All posts by John Fortunato
(GLUEK) RATTLESNAKE PALE LAGER
Smoked salami nose matches strange cured meat smudge of agavi-spiced (?) bitterness. Though reminiscent of busier Mexican pilsners, dry malt souring at dismal phenol finish insults faded orange hint and unleavened bread nuance.
(GLUEK) PANTHER ICE ALE
Nasty white-headed golden-bodied 7.5% alcohol drivel brings cloy soda flow to diacetyl corn malt slumber. Apathetic soapy finish squelches sour peach-pear-quince dearth.
GLUEK GOLDEN PILSNER
Fair yellow-cleared bohemian-styled pilsner barely overcomes disturbing cabbage waft, spoiled fruit souring, and corn-dried diacetyl mouthfeel. Cloying soda-like tongue tease and mellow hop fizz reach watery finish, nixing mellow bitterness.
(ALBANI) GIRAF STRONG LAGER
Billowy phenol fizz and doughy sweetness initiate weary corn-sugared pale-bodied strong lager (sold in America under nebulous malt liquor category). Hop-spiced bitterness hides licorice trace beneath indistinguishable barleywine finish.
GILDE PILSENER
Extremely bitter swamp-scented full body with up-front toasted grain essence reminiscent of Beck’s Pilsener. Pungent sour malt musk and reserved hop bite distract doughy finish.
GILDE LINDENER SPEZIAL PREMIUM LAGER
Translucent pale-bodied cumulous-headed amber counters pungent malted grain nose with lemony orange zest and salty carbolic fizz to dismal sour hop finish. Skunked sulfuric woes, typical of lesser Dutch lagers, disturb bitter congruence.
GEORGE KILLIAN’S WILD HONEY
Tepid honey essence never fully realized; cloying nature annoys; clean water texture deteriorates and unassuming 5.2% alcohol content wavers. Plus, sweet malt finish subsides too quickly.
GEORGE KILLIAN’S IRISH RED ALE
Sweet mocha waft, splendid roasted barleymalt influence, and explosive carbonation up-front. Hints of caramel chocolate perk up mild grain finish but more body and lengthier aftertaste would suffice. Yet they’re priced right at your local store.
GEORGE GALE PRIZE OLD ALE
Ambitious bottle-conditioned dark amber with cork set up and 9% alcohol ballast proves well-rounded. Aromatic caramel sweetness gives way to robust port wine palate, prominent cocoa-dried chocolate presence, and sticky black licorice finish. Creamy barleywine thickness underscores unique bock-like essence. Must be extraordinary on tap.
GEORGE GALE MILLENIUM BREW
Barleywine-styled ale matured over 18 months offers hefty 10% alcohol luster. Blood dry prune-raisin essence and sappy caramel malt thickness punctuate soured orange tartness, tannic red grape sprawl, and oaken cherry pucker. Soothing cognac-bourbon finish serenades slowly sipped splendor.
(GEORGE GALE) JUBILEE ALE
Viscous dark-bronzed fig-scented barleywine celebrates Queen of England’s Jubilee with well-disguised 12% alcohol strength, luxuriant pale-chocolate malt prevalence, creamy butterscotch elegance, penetrating prune souring, and beckoning hard-candied tartness. Tobacco leaf, cigar ash, and peat moss linger beneath brandy finish aided by dried raisin undertones.