Pale, rust-hued, Band-Aid-scented ale gains bittersweet fruitiness above brown-sugared barley biscuit base. Artesian water allows for clean, crisp citric finish. Slight nutmeg-coriander spicing provides light holiday ale suggestion.
All posts by John Fortunato
ABITA PURPLE HAZE RASPBERRY WHEAT BEER
Mustily dank berry waft and cereal-grained pleasantry serve tart raspberry-pureed ale well. Ethanol-fueled raspberry, elderberry, and blueberry rasp seeps into honeyed wheat bed as tertiary peach-tangerine tang advances. Diligent fruit-looped finish lingers saliently thru respected amber-clouded medium body.
ABITA PILSNER
Pure spring water, sweet mocha aroma-palate, and thick barleymalt mustiness form the core of brownish red Big Easy beer. Soft coffee notes and earthy grain backdrop descend upon watered down version of a bland porter.
ABITA PECAN HARVEST ALE
Pedestrian nut-fueled copper-hazed brown ale tarnished by obtrusive skunked vegetal aroma, phenol caramel malting and indistinct barley-roasted pecan-almond peculiarity. Glutinous rye-wheat spine bridles buttery chestnut modesty refracting peanut-oiled marzipan zip and tart pomegranate quip.
ABITA JOCKAMO I.P.A.
Amiable copper-toned Mardi Gras celebrator places sugary cereal-grained caramel malts alongside bright candied fruitiness. Resinous piney bittering increases grapefruit-orange pith souring countering ripe apple-peach-pineapple tang. Perfumed floral hops increase citric zest, but alcohol-burned malt liquor finish nearly undermines fruity aspects.
ABITA GOLDEN
Dank doughy sweetness and lemony diacetyl vagary limit clear straw dry-bodied lightweight. Astringent corn malts and parched grass-hay hint don’t help matters.
ABITA FLEUR-DE-LIS RESTORATION ALE
Post-Katrina hurricane relief came from flawed cumulous-headed golden ale, October ’05. Murky sourdough tongue, sulfuric waft, and dank gluten-free remnant override barleymalt retreat as innocuous cinnamon wisp fades.
ABITA FALL FEST
Indistinct moderate-bodied marzen stays vacuous as faded orange-dried gourd snippet and warbly pecan-hazelnut toasting get lost behind fizzy hop astringency. Ho-hum mineral graining goes metallic.
ABITA CHRISTMAS ALE (2007)
Though lacking spicy seasonal expectancy, honeyed vanilla malts invite marzipan, pecan, and biscuit-y wheat illusions to come and go. Phenol dry-hopped astringency undermines stone fruit nicety, but macadamia-almond nuttiness makes up ground.
ABITA CHRISTMAS ALE (2006)
Congenial coppery amber-glowed winter brew finds initial smoked wood seduction settling to barley roast pleasantry overlaying chestnut-butternut lilt and tobacco hint. But seasonal spicing is suspect.
ABITA AMBER LAGER
Creamy corn-sweetened Vienna-styled lager with roasted barley and honeyed caramel mildness. Subtle mocha-grain backdrop, orange peel tang, and honeysuckle fragrance give artesian water-textured sienna brew a dry ale-like essence.
ABDIJ-ABBAYE ENAME DUBBEL ALE
Gummy yeast-thickened sienna-hued abbey ale gains lingered mocha sweetness by second passing. Subtle chocolate malt-soaked barleywine inertia gives dirty grain finish a fabulous kick.