Highly enjoyable West Coast-styled IPA (bottled and canned in Florida) named after an anthemic tune by California reggae band, Rebelution, remains stylishly robust as its juicy fruit-spiced tang gets punctuated by richly dank rye graining and musky cannabis-oiled grassy hop astringency. Brisk orange-peeled peach, pineapple, grapefruit and mango serenade brightens the overall impact.
All posts by John Fortunato
KUKA RAV IPA
On tap at Growler & Gill, unconventional IPA retains dryer stylish profile not far removed from peatier dank-hopped British versions. Chestnut-like macca root influence promotes grape-stemmed Bosc pear, brown apple and plum fruiting as well as root vegetable-tinged amber graining above mild toffee malts.
CROOKED STAVE VIEILLE ARTISANAL SAISON
Soft-toned oak-aged saison lets lime-soured lemon rot and musky herbal notions override mild spelt-like graining and grassy hop astringency. Subtle brettanomyces acidity increases sour side while lemongrass-basil-thyme triage spice up oak-barreled farmhouse ale.
BROKEN BOW RIVER MARKET SAISON
On tap at Bronx Alehouse, sweet ‘n sour saison fruiting sits atop ‘snappy’ pepper spicing and herbal ginger notions. Advertised peach, pear and apple illusions pick up sour orange-rotted lemon snips.
BOLERO SNORT PINA BULLADA
On tap at Taphouse 15, tropical session ale re-creates pina colada with its sweet rum-barreled coconut and pineapple influence and lemon limey twist. Fine daiquiri alternative, though its astringent hop insistence may deter lightweights.
CAPTAIN LAWRENCE CLEARWATER KOLSCH
On tap at George Keeley’s and blurring the lines between a mild fruit ale and a dry lager, pale-yellowed kolsch brings peppery herbal spicing to lemon-dried fig, apricot and date smudging as grassy hop astringency sops up mild mineral grained earthiness to pasty corn-whiskeyed buttered biscuit base.
MODERN TIMES FRUITLANDS PASSIONFRUIT & GUAVA
On tap at George Keeley’s, vibrant “tropical fruit fiesta” given stylishly apropos lime salting to acidify lemony passionfruit and guava adjuncts. Sour cat-pissed citrus aspect reinforced by spiced-up kiwi, peach and gooseberry tartness as well as tangy orange peel respite and active carbolic spritz. Perfect briny fruited gose for the masses.
AVERY EL GOSE
In a can, eye-squinting sea-salted lime souring gains bitter yellow grapefruit resonance and mild lemon-rotted pungency. Spritzy carbolics tickle the tongue as distant green grape esters turn lightly vinous and plain yogurt lactose underscore salty lime theme.
GUN HILL HESSIAN IN PARADISE SOUR
On tap at Seven Lakes Station, moderately sour Berliner Weiss adds key lime tartness to bitter lemon-bruised salting, light brettanomyces bacteria and lactic yogurt whim. Mild green grape vinegaring ups the overall sourness.
BRONX DAS BRONX BERLINER WEISSE
On tap at Beef Trust, “refreshingly sour and cloudy ale” brings cucumber-watered basil adjunct, light white peppering and lactobacillus bacteria to usual Berliner-styled lemon-soured orange rot tartness. Mild pilsner and Vienna malts caress dry straw wheat base and salty citric-herbed finish.
BRECKENRIDGE OPHELIA HOPPY WHEAT ALE
On tap at Biggie’s, brisk hop-spiced IPA fruiting gains musty honeyed wheat tone and herbal thyme snip above dry biscuity pale malts. Brusque floral-wafted Mosaic hop bittering expands lemony orange and grapefruit tang.
OSKAR BLUES PRISCILLA WHITE WIT WHEAT
On tap at Growler & Gill, stylishly faithful orange-peeled coriander briskness picks up uncanny waxed crayon-like grouting and salty lemon spritz above white wheat base. Subsidiary vanilla-spiced banana and clove sweetness as well as wispy lemon meringue, tangelo, currant and orange marmalade illusions garnish the tart citric-spiced finish.
