Light amber-hued hop-fizzed Scotch malt-infused bock backs bittersweet fruity nature with barley-mocha restraint, losing luster when warmed, becoming oily.
All posts by John Fortunato
AUGUST SCHELL FIREBRICK VIENNA STYLE LAGER
Mildly bitter-grained spice-hopped amber lager places toasted barley-oats sweetness atop bland Vienna malting and off dry orange astringency. Indifferent finish softens too quickly.
AUGUST SCHELL DOPPELBOCK
Peppy amber mediocrity lacks efficient cognac thrust and molded orange-fig appeal of truer robust dry bocks. Less fruity than August Schell’s Maifest, less spicy than Pale Ale, allowing meandering malt murk and candied cherry dab to overwhelm dry prune finish.
AUGUST SCHELL CARAMEL BOCK
Facile fizzy bock needs better distinction as sour malt astringency, dull honey midriff, and palest caramel splurge fail to ignite. Listless mocha finish turns quickly acidic.
AUGUSTINER MUNDIEN MAXIMATOR DARK LAGER
Robust prune-hued butterscotch-scented full-bodied doppelbock closer to rich barleywine than dry port with its malt-lacquered pungency, nutty caramel embrace, and prominent rasin-prune finish proving quite a contrast from mild Mundien Light.
AUGUSTINER MUNDIEN LIGHT PILSNER
Extremely pale light-bodied second shelf German with aromatic mocha whisk, chaffed wheat palate, and delicate hop bitterness caressing sweet malt serenade. Easy flowing and highly accessible for lightweights, though benign grain follow-through and soapy finish preclude serious assessment.
AUGUSTINER LAGER
Doughy frontage receives staid malt sweetness as off-dry earthen graining, recessive rye-wheat conflux, and fresh hay leathering pick up orange-oiled fruitiness dulled by astringent husked corn missive.
AUGUSTINER DARK LAGER
Tawny burgundy-hued medium body retains dry roasted barleymalt frame for sweet chocolate variance and reluctant fruit swerve enhancing toasted hop shroud.
AUGSBURGER BOCK
Honeyed Bavarian-styled bock leads with delicate aromatic malt sweetness and soothing caramel mouthfeel before settling into piquant hop crispness. By mildly creamy soft-bodied finish, maple sappiness and unspecific fruitiness emerge.
AUCKLAND DARK ALE
Nearly headless mahogany-hued dark ale not far removed from dry ‘black beers.’ Sweet chocolate tongue, toasted barleymalt crevice, and chalky cocoa bitterness coalesce alongside burnt cedar embellishment. Black licorice vies for backspace inside full-bodied islander.
ATWATER PILSNER
Average Bavarian-styled pilsner enjoys early peppery prickle, but phenol hop grip and dippy citric slip fade to sour wheat limbo by soapy finish.
ATWATER HELL PALE LAGER
Brewed by Stone Creek since ’04, light-bodied, yellow-bellied, cumulous-headed German-styled ‘helles’ retains off-dry white ale spicing, sour malt skulk, herbal hop stint, and minor floral waft. Grassy hay earthiness and doughy yeast nearly salvage thin finish where soft wheat bed weakens.