Ashy up-front mocha-maple sweetness and terrific flaked oatmeal finish bookend smoky dark brown treasure. Subtle dry malts and bitter hops amplify seeping piney essence, softening raspy chocolate sweetness to dry coffee finish. Neither as potent as Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout nor as chewy as Ipswich Oatmeal Stout, yet an undeniable big time contender.
All posts by John Fortunato
(ANDELOT) CUVEE MYSTIQUE
Unexpectedly frothy sienna-hued amber-highlighted ‘strong dark’ Belgian ale cascades to fleshy head, bringing creamy milk stout peculiarities such as decorative cocoa-chocolate sweetness and roasted nuttiness to loudly resonating raisin thicket. As glass empties, inconstant web-like lace forms and earthy astringency approaches.
(ANDELOT) CUVEE EUPHORIQUE BLONDE ALE
Hazy yellow-orange medium body with yeasty viscosity yields salient honey-dipped banana fizz outlining clove-coriander hem and prudent nectarine-apricot tang. Mighty citric hop zest and moderate herbal notch add further resiliency.
(ANDELOT) CUVEE DIABOLIQUE ABBEY TRIPEL
Gorgeously pristine Brussels-laced cumulous-headed straw-hazed pale-bodied moderation plies aromatic citric-grape luster to soothing banana theme progressed by sudsy honeyed yeast sweetening. Highly carbolic lemony orange rind snip affirms spicy white-peppered clove-mint confluence as fleeting apple tartness, apricot perk, and herbal reminder battle back minor acidic oxidation.
(ANDELOT) CUVEE ANGELIQUE BELGIAN STRONG DARK ALE
Middling opaquely russet, musty barnyard-scented medium body pits initial honeyed candi sugar rush against tart cherry esters, cork-y grape-skin parch, and soured prune uprising. Oncoming metallic pecan astringency mires faint barleywine finish, drenching oaken-dried backdrop.
ANCHOR SUMMER WHEAT ALE
Light, watery, dry-husked summer solstice wheat ale with mildly spicy lemon spell enhancing biscuit-y bottom to undesired acidic citrus finish.
ANCHOR STEAM
Easily one of America’s finest and well-known lagered ales. Affluent tangy fruit bouquet perfectly meshes earthen-grained dry hop center of musty-wafted lager. Hints of mandarin orange get casually strewn across bitterly muddied finish.
ANCHOR SPECIAL WINTER ALE
Splendid seasonal treat bestowed Jack Daniels whiskey aroma and candy-coated caramel essence up-front. Clove, cinnamon, and undefined spices combine nicely with sweet mocha to syrupy malt creaminess. Refreshing spruce resonance comforts lusty floral finish.
ANCHOR SPECIAL ALE (2006 EDITION)
Bitterer but not better than usual holiday offerings, ‘06 ruby amber seasonal loads prune-soured cinnamon-nutmeg-gingerbread-allspice piquancy above weak brown ale-like nutty dryness, toasted hop astringency, teasing chicory dip, and ashy cinder parch. Dulled out pumpkin-pomegranate scamp fades to orange soufflé vamp. Needs better dimension and distinction.
ANCHOR SPECIAL ALE (2003 EDITION)
Rich burgundy outpouring, thick puree texture and terse cinnamon-nutmeg nosing of excellent holiday ale capture immediate attention. Black cherry overture spreads above deep prune midst as charcoal, tobacco chew, and resin gain strength at creamy dark-fruited finish for sweet Guinness alternative.
ANCHOR SPECIAL ALE (2002 EDITION)
Maroon-hued fruitcake-scented seasonal receives thick nutmeg opening sweetened by cherry glisten, soured by dry raisin concentration, and embittered by burnt wood tones. Darker and bitterer than other Anchor holiday brews, but less pronounced clove-cinnamon-nutmeg spicing chased by enduring brown sugar sweetness.
ANCHOR SPECIAL ALE (1998 EDITION)
Black cherry brightens spruce-y Christmas ale. Perfect for any occasion, this nutty fuzzy-headed ’98 edition gains hop-procured clove influence to enduring caramel malt finish. Sappy yeast extract exhumes alcoholic might.