Soapy translucent gold lightweight brings sly dry hop graze and dank lemony peach-grapefruit sedation to sweet corned cracked wheat center, but indistinct summery appeal and phenol vapidity mar commonplace brew.
All posts by John Fortunato
BLUE POINT SOUR CHERRY IMPERIAL STOUT (2008)
Creamy black chocolate rampage picks up emergent hop-charred coffee-roasted cappuccino bitterness for relaxing 2008 version (bettered by marvelous ’12 offering). Lactic mocha influx overwhelms black cherry puree expectancy and dry raisin-prune undertone of robust black-bodied heavyweight.
BLUE POINT PALE ALE
Organic bitter hop prominence and bright citric-floral stead enhanced by toasted barley-oats register to frisky off-dry grain finish. Closer to a milder, fizzier Extra Special Bitter.
BLUE POINT HOPTICAL ILLUSION INDIA PALE ALE
Clear golden red-fruited I.P.A. judiciously layers spruce-induced orange peel, grapefruit, pineapple, peach and red apple ripeness above pine-y earthen hop resin. Floral swipe and herbal snipe detected. Not far removed from more distinct Ithaca Casca Zilla Red Ale.
BLUE POINT CROP CIRCLE EXTRATERRISTRI-ALE AMBER ALE
Astringently phenol aluminum bittering lingers hastily, but toasted barleymalts and caramelized sugar overcome initial setback. Peat, marzipan, chestnut, cashew, and cola nut provide pleasant secluded backdrop though overall depth lacks.
BLUE POINT BLUEBERRY ALE
Exacting blueberry muffin theme seeps through red grape nicety, raspberry tartness, and honey-licked cereal-grained linger of fruity dark golden ale. Soft-toned hop fizzing advances soapy metallic whim to no ill effect. Sadly, 2011 tapped version lowered rating. Sulfuric acidity and metallic tinniness seeped into milder bittersweet blueberry pie whir, flattened honeyed wheat backbone and briskly carbolic lemon-licked spritz.
BLUE MOUNTAIN CLASSIC LAGER
Bland moderate-bodied pale lager diffuses pleasant grain toasting with bittersweet lemony orange tang. Clay hops induce phenolic enzyme-like acidity, dragging down leftover sugared malt efficacy.
BLUE MOON RISING MOON SPRING ALE
Gimmicky seasonal amber wheat ale subtly plies exotic kieffer lime leaves to sedate bruised orange ripeness and lemon-candied tartness. Tamped down hops mildly consume cracked wheat sweetness and white bread subsidy.
BLUE MOON RASPBERRY CREAM ALE
Warbly copper-hued cream ale with ample sweet raspberry nose and mouthfeel done in by dour phenol creaming at shaky barley-wheat backend. Chewy caramel malt overtones are welcome, but mild astringency prohibits raspberry flux at incomplete finish. Nevertheless, well fermented milky yeast thickness provides solid depth.
BLUE MOON NUT BROWN ALE
Slim maple palate sustains lackluster foamy-headed dark amber. Lighter and less efficient than stiff stylistic competition, this watery brew would benefit greatly from increased up-front nuttiness and better overall distinction.
BLUE MOON HONEY MOON SUMMER ALE
Halfway refreshing golden-fleeced seasonal benefits from clover honey sweetness and soft lemony orange peel bittering, but glutinous pale wheat stickiness and cloy soda-like finish become stagnant. Soapy backdrop outlasts vulnerable white-peppered coriander-clove spicing.
BLUE MOON HARVEST MOON PUMPKIN ALE
Deep amber autumnal ale boasts vine-ripened pumpkin essence and traditional crystal malt sweetness. Musty pumpkin pie-crusted acridity lingers through buttery midst as cinnamon and nutmeg spice up callow dry-hopped metallic bittering. 2012 re-tasting: Sugared pumpkin sweetness and cinnamon-nutmeg-gingerbread spicing enhanced and invigorated for better results.