Quite reserved coppery chestnut Double I.P.A. maintains dry nutty pine comb disposition and biscuit-y wheat backend. Toasted barley nosing picks up spiced hop tingle and trusty fructose sweetness on first sip. Subsequent grapefruit bitterness disguises minor acidity and sedate apple-melon-orange whim.
All posts by John Fortunato
CLIPPER CITY SMALL CRAFT WARNING UBER PILS
Stylistically bold, yet refreshingly clean and crisp, bringing harvest mineral grains and herbal hops to initial lemon-peeled bittering. Tangy bruised citric souring ascends mid-palate as seltzer-like lemon-lime fizz of buoyant pilsner-styled bock lager picks up balsam wood dryness. Mild orange briskness and vegetal remnant found in backdrop.
CLIPPER CITY RESERVE WINTER ALE
Pride of the Chesapeake Bay, this spry citrus-scented winter treat cloaks sweet malt essence with dark fruity pungency and crisp hop supplement. But it’s closer to briskly carbonated summer ale than spicier heartily robust holiday seasonal.
CLIPPER CITY RESERVE INDIA PALE ALE
Muted barley and polite citrus consume nose before rigid bitter hop depth enhances dark nutty fruitiness. Relentlessly astringent and full-bodied to the brisk bittersweet finish with enchanting candied yeast overtones adding sturdiness.
(CLIPPER CITY) RED SKY AT NIGHT SAISON ALE
Savory up-front bruised orange souring gains noticeable alcohol riff as syrupy malt resilience counters engaging juniper bitterness of uncommonly rich summery Saison. Banana, grapefruit, and coriander illusions excel along the way.
(CLIPPER CITY) PEG LEG IMPERIAL STOUT
Opaque mahogany stout commences with black chocolate souring complementing coffee-roasted espresso, cocoa, and molasses bitterness. Black currant, bruised cherry, and black licorice coat wood-dried recess bracing mellow Merlot-port luster.
CLIPPER CITY PALE ALE
Beautiful floral citrus aroma complements dry orange-lemon rind bitterness and mocha malt sweetness. Spiced hops fortify toasted barley finish for red ale-like luster a tad below more organic microbrews.
(CLIPPER CITY) OXFORD RASPBERRY WHEAT ALE
Formerly brewed by Oxford Brewery, this newer version, “fermented with real raspberries,” seems worthier. Tart raspberry theme never overwhelms mineral grain outline, cider-y tinge, and seltzer-like carbonation, but needs better wheat resolve.
(CLIPPER CITY) MC HENRY OLD BALTIMORE STYLE LAGER
Unconvincing honeyed malt drear, remedial lemon-soured hop fizz, and washed out barley dearth dim abruptly dissolving sourdough finish. Subsiding orange marmalade wisp wavers.
(CLIPPER CITY) LOOSE CANNON HOP 3 ALE
Absolutely rejuvenating hop-drenched refreshment, possibly inspired by highly respected nearby Delaware brewer, Dogfish Head, leads with enthusiastic bittersweet grapefruit brim, orange marmalade facade, and tangy peach-nectarine fervency. Major piney spruce hop penetration fortifies crisp graining and heavy malt efficacy coddling loud melon-cherry-berry valley.
CLIPPER CITY GOLD ALE
Opaque light-bodied amber-hued blonde ale moderates fuzzy carbolic acidity with subtle citrus-cherry sweetness and slim grain trim. Toasted barleymalt continuance fades quick, leaving wee vegetative, herbal, and floral respite to supplant fruited plain.
CLIPPER CITY CHESAPEAKE AMBER ALE
Loud citrus-brightened barleymalt frontage, herbal hop-spiced nose, and orange peel influence harbor fey berry-cherry fringe cracked wheat finish can’t maintain.