Bitter spruce-hopped entry promptly aided by sticky caramel malt sweetness and bright citrus scurry of medium-bodied splendor. Organic grain roast exudes punctual midrange vibrancy, emphasizing mild chestnut illusions to piney orange-peeled grapefruit rind finish.
All posts by John Fortunato
BALLANTINE INDIA PALE ALE
Well-balanced tawny-hazed IPA retains sharp wood-smoked hop spicing, ample grain roast, easygoing pale malt sweetness, and recessive dried fruiting. Unlike regular blue collar Ballantine Ale old folks buy for $2 a six pack, this is the real deal. It shows what a large brewery could do when they seriously attempt to craft ales/ beers in small batches.
BALLANTINE ALE
Gunk-y sour malt aroma and delicate hop-enriched fizz settle to crisp, yet short-lived, saltwater finish with slightest tinge of yellow-fruited sweetness and low grade tinniness. Plain, simple, inefficient; but no worse than Bud.
BALCONES FAULT RED GRANITE
Dark amber-hued ale counters cereal grain serenade with soft hop toasting and dry cocoa bittering. Mid-palate, flattened smoked wood-tobacco snippet enlivens juicy red apple, black grape, raspberry, and tangerine ripeness. Brewery defunct: 2007.
BALCONES FAULT PALE MALT
Serene butterscotch-chocolate malting fades quickly to soapy tobacco-tea-mushroom scourge, dragging dry fruited esters to copper ale-like anonymity by dull finish. Brewery defunct: 2007.
BALCONES FAULT BAT’S BREATH BOCK
Brownish maroon bock sprawls coffee souring across deep chocolate resonance and roasted hop dryness but meager pine tinge concealed. Brewery defunct: 2007.
(BALADIN) WAYAN SAISON STYLE ALE
Easygoing tingly-hopped amber-glowed light body brings tangy orange zip to pineapple-candied tartness. Subtly perfumed cardamom-coriander dip perfectly apropos.
(BALADIN) SUPER BALADIN ALE
Sweet floral-wafted perfume-hopped aura and quirky wheat wine swerve coalesce caramel-candied malting of burnished amber full body. Chewy yeast sediment boosts lofty 8% alcohol rigidity. Bold barleywine finish lathers high class Italian.
(BALADIN) NORA ALE
Lovely fruit ale inspired by ancient Egyptian beers features low-key myrrh, ginger and orange peel influences. Maintaining an abundant fluffy head, effervescent champagne-like carbonation and soft water freshness to its luscious Sangria finish, lovely Italian-bred medium body’s quince-wafted fruit spicing sweetens over time. Grape-ripened tangerine-honeydew-melon tang and tart raspberry-blueberry-blackberry subsidy wrap around clover-honeyed cotton candy frolic to complement sour-mashed cork dryness. Serve to red wine drinkers as a sweet alternative.
BALADIN NOEL ALE
(BADGER) TANGLEFOOT TRADITIONAL ALE
Brewed since 1777, internationally awarded ale offers consistent enjoyment. Floral bouquet embroiders hop-grained dry malt vibrancy of moderate-bodied clear-bottled nicety. Neither not too strong for novice pilsner drinkers nor too tame for ale heads so indulge vigorously.
(BADGER) FLOWERS ORIGINAL DRAUGHT
Decent chestnut-hued English bitter draught envelops red-fruited entry, wild honey bittering and cresting hop zing with heavenly chocolate nuances. Indistinguishable mocha finish and failing aftertaste lighten initial promise. Serve to aggressive rookies not fully prepared to switch to heavier dark ales.