Dry wheat-husked toasted hop sass and chalky caramel malting seduce laid-back soft water flow as aromatic tobacco-peat earthiness lingers. Secondary rye-pumpernickel breading and wet cedar sweetness recede to smoked wood tinge. Surprisingly lacks advertised bitterness though redeeming novice appeal is undeniable.
All posts by John Fortunato
ADNAMS SUFFOLK EXTRA ALE
Soft-watered fuggle-hopped mineral-grained entry lightens flow of cask conditioned ‘strong’ ale (available in bottle or can). Lingering mild hop bittering masks grassy herbal fruiting. An unobtrusive turnabout for those afraid of thicker, stronger ales.
ADNAMS NUT BROWN ALE
Bitter hop-charred oiling merges with indistinct chocolate-caramel malting for deep brown-hued disappointment. Unfortunately, its ‘nut’ essence is nowhere to be found. Docked for false advertising.
ADNAMS BROADSIDE ORIGINAL ALE
Excellent fluffy-headed rust-hazed Brit with primary burgundy richness, cavernous alcohol-stricken chocolate malt strength, and herbal hop spicing increasing sweet barleywine confluence. Candied cherry pervades reclusive cola-macadamia nuttiness, mineral water flow, and woody bottom.
ACME CALIFORNIA PALE ALE
As plain as its name indicates, frugal ale rivals bland, unsophisticated lagers. Grains and hops come to the fore, but lack of distinguishing adjuncts or malt-like assertiveness keeps this stillborn.
ACME CALIFORNIA I.P.A.
Well balanced amber-hazed pearly-headed India Pale Ale smitten by sharp floral-piney hop frontage, toasted barley emphasis, and temporal spicy bitterness receives orange-peeled grapefruit-lemon tang. Sweet caramel malt surge sweetens the deal. Compares favorably to notable Californians such as Stone IPA and North Coast Red Seal Ale.
ACME CALIFORNIA BROWN ALE
Typically fine organic California microbrew retains modest fizz-hopped bitterness and grain-malt constraint overriding percolating well water crispness. Refreshing jasmine aroma consumes mocha-caramel efficiency and tangy citric zest.
(ACHILLES) SERAFIJN CHRISTMAS ANGEL FESTIVE ALE
Tiny Flemish homebrewers’ wintry nickel-hazed reddish-glazed strong ale places orange-candied lemondrop tartness above warming alcohol sensation and spongy carbolic fluff. Serene seasonal spices tingle oncoming red apple ripeness and tangerine-orange tang as sugary yeast sinew further sweetens festive treat.
ACHEL TRAPPIST TRIPLE
Interesting pale-bodied hybrid unintentionally closer to phenol German weissbier than moderate-bodied Belgian Trappist Ale. Floral yeast nose suits honeyed wheat sweetness. Candied orange-tangerine tang spruces up spicy clove backdrop. Beige sediment dots thick viscosity for impairing relaxant aimed at light-heavyweights and up.
ABITA 20TH ANNIVERSARY PILSNER
Special ’06 release finds bitter lemon rind-tinged floral-blueberry frontage subsiding to grassy mineral-grained finish. Dry-bodied pale-toned billowy white-headed moderate pils’ only drawback is minor metallic astringency.
ABITA TURBO DOG BROWN ALE
Effective maple-sapped pureed raisin frontage picks up creamy chocolate sweetness and dry cocoa-powdered remnant. Earthen hop resin inundates mild herbal subsidy.
ABITA STRAWBERRY HARVEST LAGER
Parched straw-hazed moderate-bodied fruit-flavored lager brings powdered Pez-like sourness to muted cotton-candied strawberry shortcake tartness. Blanched cereal graining subsumed by astringent leathery acridity, diacetyl carbolic fizz, and watermelon gum illusion. Banana taffy, plantain, peach, and apricot lost in butterscotch midst.