All posts by John Fortunato

SOUTHERN TIER IMPERIAL CREME BRULEE STOUT (WITH VANILLA BEANS)

April 9, 2015Beers A-Zimperial stoutJohn Fortunato

Orgasmic updated 2014 version (with label stressing vanilla bean adjunct) once again makes a case for best sweet-toothed dessert beer ever. Rich vanilla ice cream sugaring invades honeyed dark chocolate syruping and chewy caramel-burnt creme brulee theme. Dark liqueured Tia Marie coffee beaning overlays subsidiary cocoa-buttered almond toasting, nutty espresso elegance, frothy cappuccino creaming, chocolate-covered cherry tartness, maple walnut caking, sappy molasses sinew, rummy bourbon liquoring and cafe au lait chicory bittering. An undeniable classic.

LAVERY ULSTER BREAKFAST STOUT

April 9, 2015Beers A-Zcoffee stoutJohn Fortunato

Bittersweet dark-roasted coffee bean theme picks up creamy milk-sugared Yoo-Hoo chocolate undertones as light hop-oiled astringency contrasts molasses-sapped oats. A tad too carbolic perhaps, but its espresso coffee finish soothes the soul.

WEYERBACHER SUNDAY MORNING COFFEE STOUT

April 9, 2015Beers A-Zcoffee stoutJohn Fortunato

On tap at Ambulance, awesome bourbon-barreled coffee stout will please every passionate dark ale fan. Majestic dark-roasted coffee theme picks up sweet bourbon spicing and creamy chocolate mint riff over charred hop bittering. Hiding its hefty 11.3% ABV with generous coffee bean significance, this Sunday morning java’s elegant warmth cannot be denied. In the bottle, black coffee influence gains sweet anise spicing, rummy bourbon sugaring and cedar-burnt maple sapping alongside dark cocoa sentiment.

PERENNIAL 17 MINT CHOCOLATE STOUT

April 9, 2015Beers A-Zchocolate stoutJohn Fortunato

On tap at Ambulance, enjoyable dessert treat perfectly re-creates chocolate mint Girl Scout cookie with cacao nibs and mint leafs. Hiding its massive 10% ABV thru massive dark chocolate malting and menthol-like mint julep freshness, this veritable liquid candy will satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth. Fudge brownie, vanilla and spice cake illusions deepen mocha conviction.

MYSTIC MARY OF THE GAEL SAISON

April 9, 2015Beers A-ZsaisonJohn Fortunato

On tap at Ambulance, dry-hopped springtime farmhouse ale just misses the mark. Perfumed yellow grapefruit bittering stays sharp and sour lemon-rotted tartness provides decent backup, but musky cologne-like spicing is an acquired taste.

URBAN CHESTNUT ZWICKELBIER

April 9, 2015Beers A-Zzwickel lagerJohn Fortunato

On tap at Ambulance, flagship German lager retains stylish light-bodied Bavarian simplicity with its sour lemon-rotted wisp, earthen mineral graining and subtle Hallertau hop bittering. But its delicate pilsner malting picks up slight vegetal disturbance before getting soapy.

BROKEN BOW IPA – CHINOOK

April 9, 2015Beers A-Zindia pale aleJohn Fortunato

Easygoing floral citrus serenade picks up wood-dried pining, hop-spiced tingle and herbal nuance. Lemony orange, grapefruit, pineapple and mango juicing provides soft-toned elegance.

FLYING DOG SINGLE HOP WARRIOR IMPERIAL INDIA PALE ALE

April 9, 2015Beers A-Zimperial india pale aleJohn Fortunato

Intense hophead delight delivers briskly sharp grapefruit-peeled orange rind bittering to sweet peach, pineapple, mango, tangerine and nectarine tang. Thick pine resin coarsens the clean citric-spiced Warrior hop bite above biscuity rye malting.

FLYING DOG EARL GREY BLACK WHEAT

April 9, 2015Beers A-Zdark wheatJohn Fortunato

Middling dry-bodied Brewhouse Rarities offering provides peculiar Earl Grey tea malting to black chocolate roast (perhaps mimicking schwarzbier-like black patent malt astringency). Gunky Blackstrap molasses-honeyed wheat spine picks up moldy rye breading. Not sure it all comes together, but may suit particular dark ale tastes.

KOSHIHIKARI ECHIGO RICE LAGER

April 9, 2015Beers A-Zlight lagerJohn Fortunato

Silkenly smooth pale-strawed dry lager from Japan’s first microbrewery (circa 2013) retains corn-sugared rice tone over dainty German pilsner malts, light hop astringency and dank earthen must. Mild cider-soured lemon tartness found at the challah-breaded sourdough spine. Simply refreshing.

Echigo Beer Company - Where to buy their beer near me - BeerMenus

ROSCOE TROUT TOWN AMERICAN AMBER ALE

April 9, 2015Beers A-Zamber ale, ROSCOE BEER CO.John Fortunato

Pleasurable mainstream moderation blends laid-back apple-orange-tangerine tang into spicy hop respite, light caramel malting and dry leafy earthiness.

Image result for roscoe trout town american amber

BURGER LOFT

April 2, 2015BEER PUBNEW CITY NYJohn Fortunato

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NEW CITY, NEW YORK

Perched just off the main drag in Rockland County’s affluent county seat, New City (just an hour north of NYC) got a lot cooler when BURGER LOFT went ‘craft’ three years ago. On my March 15 stopover, the pristine beer pub celebrated Long Island brewery, Barrier, dedicating all 12 stainless steel tap lines to the superfine suds.

Inside a colonial-styled, red-bricked mini mall, Burger Loft is not only a fine burger joint, but also a damn fine beer-centric hideaway and roomy sportsbar (with several widescreenTV’s). Its wide windows shine sunlight on the tile floor of the wood-furnished pale blue interior. Right side dining’s fine for family and friends while the two 15-seat wood counters at the bar spread across the entire left side. Made of maple, oak and zebra wood, the sturdily thick counter tops stretch far and wide, allowing many brewhounds to converge in one spot and still have plenty of room to rove.

All weekend long, Barrier Brewing’s been featured. And on this early springtime jaunt, I quaffed a lofty eight new Barrier offerings that would’ve easily satisfied even the most hardened connoisseurs. Served in lofty 5.5 ounce samplers, each well designed elixir hit its mark, especially my initial libation, Barrier Icculus Kolsch, a tantalizing light-bodied pilsner with a spritzy lemony orange splash and doughy cracker backup that’s as crisply clean as it gets.

Though Barrier Simple California Common Lager couldn’t compete, its phenol citric astringency proved smooth (if soapy). Barrier Delicioulus Extra Pale Ale meshed perfumed citric hops with tropical fruiting while the even better Belgian 1 Pale Ale brought sour lemon-candied orange and pineapple tang to delicate banana-clove spicing.

As usual, India Pale Ale’s dominated the menu. Evil Giant IPA let rye malts deepen the stylish white-peppered, pine-needled grapefruit bittering while spruce-tipped Atypical IPA showcased lemony grapefruit. Soft-toned Money IPA placed orange-rotted yellow grapefruit bittering atop yellow wood tones. Best bet: sweet fruit-juiced Daddy Warbucks Double IPA, a sunny tropical-fruited beauty with honeyed malts and piney herbal respite.

For dessert, Morticia Russian Imperial Stout brought lusty dark-roasted smoked mocha malting to bourbon-tinged dark fruiting. (Full reviews in Beer Index).

In between beers, my wife and I chomped on a ciabatta-breaded Turkey Club (with avocado, bacon and tomato) while watching the Sweet Sixteen tournament. Burgers, Fish Tacos and Mac & Cheese lead the American-styled pub menu.

On future endeavors during May and June 2017, discovered Burger Loft’s District 96 brews – currently crafted next door. Delectable fare seemingly inspired by highly recognized microbrewery, Hill Farmstead, the tight range of beers so far includes several India Pale Ales, pale ales and one kolsch (reviewed separately).

theburgerloft.com

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