Frothy bottle conditioned mocha-dried porter with pungent roasted coffee persistence and sour chocolate malt extract retains black molasses stickiness to bitter nut finish. Powdery cocoa sweetness and smoked barley conceal blunt fizz-hopped astringency and wavering ashy undertones, decreasing assertive creamy richness a notch.
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FLYING FISH GRAND CRU WINTER RESERVE ALE
Richer, sturdier Euro version than brewers’ Dubbel counters sharply alcoholic corn-sugared Scotch malt palate and tangy tangerine-peach freshness with dry wheat-chaffed overture before losing steam. Teensy yeast particles in palest gold body fortify clove-coriander subtlety, apricot-banana ripeness and peppercorn tinge by soured orange finish. Retains dry white ale essence but lacks expectant cinnamon-nutmeg holiday seasoning. 2012 tapped version anchored sour lemon, moldy peach and bruised orange tartness to Belgian-like candi-sugared crystal malts above salty-spiced herbal peppering. On tap at Mahwah Bar & Grill, 2016 tapped version differed profusely as Belgian strong ale had murkier mix of champagne grapes, desiccated oranges and banana-dried cloves above its demerara-sugared white wheat spine.
FLYING FISH FARMHOUSE SUMMER ALE
Lively pale-cleared white ale saddles bittersweet yellow-fruited splurge with grassy hay slumber and herbal mint freshness. Floral-spiced lemony grapefruit zest and slack banana-clove missive lack depth to astringent wheat straw finish.
FLYING FISH EXTRA PALE ALE
Dry-hopped toasted barley complements cocoa malt sweetness in similar successful fashion perfected by East Coast brewers such as Ybor, Weeping Radish, and Blue Point. But sugary water finish weakens and dilutes “Extra” pale boast.
FLYING FISH E.S.B. AMBER ALE
Translucent red-orange-hued bitter retains alcohol-fueled pastry-caked mocha malting and trim flaked oat toasting to blunt hop-roasted bittering that lingers steadfast. Lighter porter drinkers and brown ale hounds will take an instant liking.
FLYING FISH BELGIAN STYLE DUBBEL
Enjoyable bottle conditioned sunset orange double bock may be ill-defined. Closer to copper-brown ale designation with its cola flow and roasted hop perk while earthy finish reminiscent of fine English ale. Nose tingling brandy warmth, syrupy barleywine thickness, and buttery cognac tinge anchor medium-bodied alcohol-smitten knockoff, but dubious dubbel lacks expectant robust depth of Belgian-styled peers.
FLYING DOG WOODY CREEK WHITE
Effervescent light-bodied golden-hazed Belgian-styled witbier with noticeable tender yeast sinew, ‘traditional spices,’ and sharp carbolic excess proves to be crisp, clean lawnmower fodder. Coriander and clove permeate sour lemon candied burst, honeyed orange linger, white-peppered green tea illusions, and lemongrass snip. Beneath, dried banana speckles mild eucalyptus oiling.
FLYING DOG WILD DOG WEIZENBOCK ALE
Complex 8% alcohol dark amber wheat-based bock surrounds initial yellow grape waft with floral yeast tangent, melon-y fig-prune-banana snip, and pivotal clove-cinnamon spicing. Aggressive bruised orange midst builds above Belgian candi sugar-like sweetness ’til barleywine-bourbon warmth surpasses sour mocha torrent.
FLYING DOG WILD DOG DOPPELBOCK
Smooth dark fruited penny-hued 10th anniversary edition erupts with ripe nectarine-peach overture, lovely spruce-maple sweetness, and floral hop tally. Subtle 9% alcohol volume suits barleywine finish to a tee.
FLYING DOG WILD DOG COLORADO SAISON ALE
Soft-textured bottle-conditioned pearly-headed amber-hazed saison explodes in mouth like heavily carbolic champagne. Wafting barnyard funk wavers above tart lemony grapefruit musk, faint banana-apple-apricot tuft, and white-peppered basil-thyme herbage to fizzy curacao orange cusp. Dusted citron spicing provides delicate white ale zest.
FLYING DOG TIRE BITER ALE
Elegant orange peel zest and perky hop fizz perfectly mesh with sweet barley-malted Scotch smoothness for aggressively carbolic lightweight. Beautiful dewy insouciance captivates citric finish of pale-bodied nicety.
FLYING DOG SNAKE DOG INDIA PALE ALE
Nondescript spice-hopped translucent pale body lacks nearly all IPA requirements, as cereal maltose frontage, resinous fruit dankness and lost herbal dash barely hold on to dwindling orange-tangerine tang. Originally brewed under auspices of Aspen brewer Broadway, this moderate bitter retains lingering buttery Scotch-like calmness.