All posts by John Fortunato

(FRANCHES-MONTAGNES) ABBAYE DE SAINT BON-CHIEN

January 1, 2009Beers A-Zbiere de gardeJohn Fortunato

Deliriously savory burgundy-hued full body cost $21.49 for 1 pint 9 ounces of luxuriant 10% alcohol liquid. But that’s a bargain. Matured in Merlot, Cabernet, and Grappa vats, its expansive sharp citric hop plain and vegetal earthiness spread across beautiful Sangria medley suggesting banana, apple, red grape, pineapple, and apricot. Spicy cinnamon entwines apropos vinous acidity to port wine finish. On tap at Copper Mine, vinegary brettanomyces funk brings mouth-puckering sourness to oaken cherry, green grape, white wine, rosé and vermouth tones.

Highly recommended.

FOUNDERS RUBAEUS

January 1, 2009Beers A-ZframboiseJohn Fortunato

Crucial Belgian-styled framboise set the stage for many American-bred Euro-based fruit ales to compete favorably. Ripe raspberry-juiced fermentation of ruby-hazed pink-blushed medium body stays sublime above syrupy cherry soda tartness and lightly creamed vanilla sweetness. Vinous lemon-soured red grape, cranberry, rosé and champagne pucker contrasts sugary candy apple glaze. Tertiary Victoria plum, strawberry, elderberry, apricot and tangerine illusions embellish slim floral bouquet. Prickly hop pep gives busy framboise its soda-like carbolic fizz. Compares favorably to redoubtable New Glarus Raspberry Tart.

FOUNDERS REDS RYE RED ALE

January 1, 2009Beers A-Zred aleJohn Fortunato

Stirring rocky tan-headed amber-hued dazzler plies sugary spruce overtones to resounding orange-grapefruit-pineapple-nectarine tang countering pine needled spice-hopped bittering. Dry rye and buttery almond jot crisp cracked wheat base of savory moderation.

FOUNDERS PORTER

January 1, 2009Beers A-Zmocha porterJohn Fortunato

Comparably light-bodied for its class, though ‘dark, rich, sexy’ chestnut porter sustains soothing dry nuttiness and mellow burnt coffee restraint ’til milk-sugared black chocolate lines brief lactic finish. Cocoa-powdered cola nut, hazelnut and walnut illusions add depth.

FOUNDERS OLD CURMUDGEON ALE

January 1, 2009Beers A-Zstrong aleJohn Fortunato

Superior 9.3% alcohol-soaked strong ale merges sweet whiskey frontage and dry Scotch waft with heavily creamy malt concentration, picking up sturdy bourbon, burgundy, and chocolate liqueur illusions as well as subsidiary bruised orange-cherry feistiness. Sinewy floral yeast thickens tertiary banana-marshmallow hint and brown sugared anise slip. Heady slow sipping digestif conveys irrefutable character and strength.

FOUNDERS IMPERIAL STOUT

January 1, 2009Beers A-Zimperial stoutJohn Fortunato

Creamy lactose thickness fortifies weighty mahogany-bodied Russian-styled conqueror. Frothy black chocolate sourness gives way to equally opulent burnt coffee bitterness, picking up anise, maple, and hazelnut hints before buttery burnt caramel cluster forms. Tar-like stickiness deepens resinous bottom, adding to robust nature.

FOUNDERS DIRTY BASTARD SCOTCH STYLE ALE

January 1, 2009Beers A-Zscotch aleJohn Fortunato

Bold port surge, punctual cocoa-dried oats flaking, and lactic chocolate liqueur waft consume fulsome mocha frontage. Creamy vanilla milkshake illusion seduces blunt astringent finish propped up by raisin, peat, and black cherry adjuncts. On tap, well-rounded wee heavy contrasts maple-sugared stone-fruited Scotch malting against leafy wood-dried hops and twiggy nuance, overriding initial mocha impression.

FOUNDERS DEVIL DANCER TRIPLE I.P.A.

January 1, 2009Beers A-Zindia pale aleJohn Fortunato

Ticklish spice-hopped citric entry lingers through sugary spruce-tipped crystal malting, gaining heady bitterness reinforced by ancillary mocha-nut convergence. Tangy pink grapefruit, peach, strawberry, mango, apricot and pineapple tropicalia endures. On tap, sticky apple-candied caramel malting counters smoked piney hop sharpness, juniper berry bittering, and herbal fungi twinge. Orange-dried Grand Marnier and booze-soaked cherry illusions enhance tropical pineapple-grapefruit-papaya insistence.

FOUNDERS CENTENNIAL I.P.A.

January 1, 2009Beers A-Zindia pale aleJohn Fortunato

Respectable honey-browned spruce-hopped pale ale receives spicy lemon-grapefruit tang pleating pine needle nose. Slim caramel-roasted barley toasting contrasts piney citric bittering.

FOUNDERS KENTUCKY BREAKFAST STOUT

January 1, 2009Beers A-Zimperial stoutJohn Fortunato

Impressively rugged cave-aged bourbon-barreled version of world class stout. Embittered hop roast replete with coffee bean-soured espresso milking and rich vanilla bean lambasting. Rich barley-oats toasting settles beneath exquisite mocha-liquered finish. Bourbon aging stokes gossamer-like Kahlua, Amaretto, and chicory illusions juxtaposing molasses-sapped chocolate subsidy.

FOSTER’S SPECIAL BITTER LAGER

January 1, 2009Beers A-Zpale lagerJohn Fortunato

Better in bigger oilcan than plain bottle. Dour amber-grained hop toasting and slim nuttiness create complacent dry bitterness. Unsettling tinny finish arrives if warmed over. Needs more all around character. On tap, creamier malt sweetness and brisker alcohol-tinged lemon-soured swoon greaten potential.

FOSTER’S LAGER

January 1, 2009Beers A-Zamber lagerJohn Fortunato

Australian for beer, mates! In 25.4-ounce oilcan (where it tastes best), this fairly distinct hop-roasted mineral-grained corn-sugared moderation soothes to delicately sweet malt finish. Prickly carbolic briskness ensues. Rates a full star lower in 12-ounce bottle.

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