Ghoulish Dracula debris lacks proper toasted grain inertia, caramel malt clearance, and perfumed floral hop aromatics. Up-front creamy resonance falters and bitter finish falls short.
All posts by John Fortunato
DRAGONMEAD UNDER THE KILT WEE HEAVY
Don’t let misleading Scotch ale styling fool you. Molasses-thick ruby-maroon ‘wee heavy’ is more reminiscent of a dry port with its tobacco-stained red-purple grape density, sinister burgundy-bourbon sedation, vegetal peat-topsoil earthiness, and wet wood nuance. Maple-tarred black coffee bittering subsumes latent fig, date, and fruitcake hints.
DRAGONMEAD FINAL ABSOLUTION TRIPPEL ALE
Alcohol-smitten Belgian-styled barleywine flaunts candi-sugared rum-like essence and honeyed yeast thickness. Bruised tangerine, curacao orange, and overripe apricot transcend tropical kiwi-mango-banana upsurge and clove dip as floral dandelion-rosebud accent deepens grainy bottom.
DRAGON STOUT
Creamy sugar malt opening simmers to caramel-burnt cocoa mouthfeel and oatmeal-dried raisin complement for lactose milk stout excellence. Yummy ‘tootsie roll’ sweetness absorbs tamped down hop dryness to sweet whiskey finish.
(COOPER’S) DOUBLE DIAMOND ORIGINAL BURTON ALE
Sourly citric bitterness and skunked yeast scent of dark amber pale ale is an acquired taste perfect for macho males frequenting sports pubs. Rustic hop-spiced cereal oats symmetry retains heady mustiness and straight down the middle alacrity reminiscent of Heineken or Grolsch. Bitter graining wipes away any casual sweetness by off-dry finish. Noticeably better on tap, where crystal malt sweetness gains hold.
DOS EQUIS NOCHE BUENA SPECIAL HOLIDAY AMBER LAGER
Rigidly carbonated, fluffy white-headed, maroon-bronzed bock-like winter warmer places enticing cinnamon-nutmeg spicing below toasted caramel malting. Mild hop-bitten corn-sugared sweetness depletes wintry seasoning, but not ice tea-like sentiment.
DOS EQUIS AMBER LAGER
Bland caramelized amber differs from most agave-enhanced Mexican brews. Pleasant hop fizz persists, but processed grain sweetness cheapens dry tinny finish. Supposed full-bodied Vienna-style lager is too unsophisticated and inconsequential. ’10 re-tasting: tawny-hued Ambar (a.k.a. Amber) gained richer honey-malted barley-roasted hop-toasted caramel nougat center and slightest pecan-walnut tinge. Minor Scotch notch not unlike Michelob Premium Lager.
DORNBUSCH GOLD LAGER
Keen copper-hued Munich ‘helles’ lager maintains decent head, sinewy yeast residue, deep-grained hop bitterness, and unctuous pale malt summit nearly reminiscent of toasted brown ales. Brewery defunct: 2005.
DORNBUSCH ALE
Musty scented ale boasts assertive wheat-chaffed barley roast. Pungent orange peel bitterness, blunt maple malting, and occasional black coffee tinge fortify backend while compact hop bite retains sharp crispness. Brewery defunct: 2005.
DORADA DRAFT PILSNER
Steadfast sugar malt drift harbors cotton-candied jellybean nicety for green-canned moderate-bodied pils. But minimal grain backbone slides precociously.
(DOMINION) SWEET WATER TAVERN PALE ALE
Wispy chocolate-scented spice-hopped medium body gains initial luster from polite nut-roasted barleymalt sweetness and murky citrus infusion. Disturbing astringency flat-lines boring mocha finish.
