Reliant more on candi-sugared barley toasting than expected autumnal Bavarian marking, sweetish soft-toned German knockoff may be enjoyable, but it’s not memorable. Spiced orange peel and earthen rye encumbered by unappealing acidity.
All posts by John Fortunato
DOMINION OCTOBERFEST
Sinewy rust appearance much more prominent than dim crystal malt sweetness and slim tangerine-soured pumpkin seeding. Shaky barley-wheat center completely weakens plain gourd-spiced finish.
DOMINION OAK BARREL STOUT
Excellent vanilla bean-fermented heavyweight soars to dramatic heights as resinous oak chips pick up acute soured Baker’s chocolate continuance, brazen molasses-espresso-toffee swell and oily soy-sauced black cocoa buttering. Toasted hops and ashen embers deepen oats-sugared hazelnut impression, stewed prune loom, vegetal descent and wood-soaked bourbon finish for well-defined dry lactose stout.
(DOMINION) GREAT AMERICAN RESTAURANTS PALE ALE
Basic barley-roasted toasted hop composition welcomes modest red-fruited backdrop, where dry malt-smoked cherry flurry emerges. Tealeaf, tobacco, and herbal illusions spotted.
(DOMINION) FIX 1864 SPEZIAL AMBER LAGER
Greece’s supposed “national beer” (brewed in Virginia). Clear sunny medium body amiably contrasts wheat-cracked toasted barley against lemony white grape sourness and bright citric tang. Mildly creamy despite astringency when warmed.
DOJLIDY ZUBR LAGER
Clear-hued sharp-grained musty-scented lager with mildly hopped lemony apricot fizz adding tingle to delicate water texture. Not as soapy as some Eastern Euro middleweights, but very limited in flavor.
DOJLIDY POLSKI PORTER
Creamy burgundy-hued chocolate-roasted porter blitzed by sweet sticky caramel fizz and hazelnut coarsening. Though lacking robustness, distinct barleywine subtleties and bitter hop tranquility outline prune-to-chocolate finish, nearly making up for overall watery softness.
DOJLIDY MAGNAT LAGER
Crisp evenly-flavored clear-yellowed Eastern Euro full of groaty sour mash tun graining and mild herbal hops reaching crisp roasted barley base. Cornmeal sweetness mellows raw honeyed lollipop-licked malt liquor finish. Perfect with a whiskey shot.
DOJLIDY HERBOWE TRADITIONAL LAGER
White puffy-headed moderate-bodied pale lager with light watery texture and smooth mineral graining allows gentle sugar malt sweetness to induce crisp clean finish.
DOGWOOD SUMMER BREW
Crisp Belgian-styled witbier counters serene orange marmalade-grapefruit tang and spicy citric bitterness with complementary coriander bite. Herbal hops and piney nuttiness permeate oncoming banana-apricot illusions as bruised orange reminder kicks in nicely. Brewery defunct: 2005.
DOGWOOD STOUT
Ambrosial blackened stout brings charred wood pertinence to dry coffee bean sourness and dark chocolate opulence. Bitter hop glance deepens tar-like thickness softened by variable nutty finish. Brewery defunct: 2005.
DOGWOOD PILSNER
Better-than-average pale-cleared dry-bodied pils integrates grassy wheat chaff, sour malt grist, and firm hop grit with protruding floral spicing. Pesky caramel tinge sweetens backend. Brewery defunct: 2005.
