Delicate blonde ale utilizes ‘grapefruit zest’ to briskly fortify mild dry body. Candied pink and yellow grapefruit tang sets the tone, then drops off a tad as subtle lemon pith bittering picks up. Light flavor profile withers too quickly.
All posts by John Fortunato
LAGUNITAS SCARE CITY HIGH WEST-IFIED IMPERIAL COFFEE STOUT
On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead, lofty rye whiskey-barreled full body offers bourbon-sweetened brown chocolate spicing to ascending hazelnut coffee roast. Burnt caramel malting contrasts silken burgundy, port and sherry wining. Recessive French vanilla, espresso macchiato and frappuccino undertones deepen smoked mocha conviction, but rye influence deadens over time.
POINT WHOLE HOG ESPRESSO STOUT
Tongue-lashing espresso bittering lingers softly above black coffee, dark chocolate, dried cocoa, tarry molasses and vanilla bean undertones. Aged in coffee beans, its dark-roasted mocha malting fares better then slick charred hop oiling. Slightest burnt nuttiness contained by impressively detailed espresso roast.
CLOWN SHOES GARDEN STATE RHAPSODY IMPERIAL STOUT AGED IN RYE BARRELS
On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead, imposingly robust rye-barreled full body combines Undead Party Crasher Imperial Stout with an experimental barleywine. Sweet bourbon influence initially flourishes over rich black chocolate malting and cookie dough yeast. Fudge brownie, dark cocoa, vanilla bean and roasted coffee illusions saddle rye whiskey midst. Tertiary sherry, burgundy and pinot noir snips provide boozy warmth to 12% ABV dark ale.
SIXPOINT JOHN DORY OYSTER STOUT
On tap at Ambulance, 2015 version of oyster stout (originally made for John Dory Oyster Bar) brings thrusting black patent malt roast to briny oyster-shelled creaming, mild charcoal-hopped bittering and seared earth bottom. Dark chocolate, dried cocoa and black coffee illusions overrun mild black cherry tartness at capacious mocha finish.
WEYERBACHER OLD HEATHEN IMPERIAL STOUT (DRY-HOPPED)
On tap at Ambulance, dry-hopped cask version of well-respected stout retains settling warmth. Evergreen-like Northern Brewer hop freshness inundates plentiful dark-roasted chocolate malting and freeze-dried coffee subsidy above vinous port-wined red grape tartness and distant black cherry snip.
ANDERSON VALLEY BASIL IPA
On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead, limited edition 2015 India Pale Ale brings pleasant herbal freshness to piney citrus fruiting. Mild basil-leafed influence perks up grapefruit-peeled orange rind bittering while allowing subsidiary pesto, sage brush and pine nut illusions to flourish beneath.
ANDERSON VALLEY HORSE TONGUE WITBIER
On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead, vinous white wine-barreled Belgian witbier showers bacteria-cultured barnyard rusticity with soured Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, sparkling champagne, hard cider and red-wined vinaigrette pucker. Musty lemon-dried backdrop picks up dry oaken musk.
OTHER HALF NOT MY JAM BLACK IPA
On tap at Ambulance, fascinating Imperial Cascadian Dark places black-patented dark chocolate malting atop sappy pine tarring – blindsiding brisk grapefruit, pineapple, orange rind and black grape fruiting with a heavily roasted hop char. Tertiary black licorice, black coffee and charcoal illusions deepen massive mocha madness.
URBAN CHESTNUT SCHNICKELFRITZ
On tap at Ambulance, desirably delicate Bavarian hefeweizen proves wholly sessionable. Lemony banana-clove-bubblegum expectancy picks up brisk orange-candied tartness, subtle vanilla creaming, peppy hop spritz and mild sourdough snip above lightly honeyed Graham Cracker spine. Crisply easygoing blissfulness.
FOUNDERS BLUSHING MONK BELGIAN STYLE ALE ’15
Essentially ‘Imperial Rubeaus Ale’ with four times the raspberry, this world-class framboise satisfies the senses immediately, leaving a beautifully effective tart raspberry rasp all over the tongue, nose and throat. Mouth-puckering hard candy tartness informed by lemon-drop souring, mild cider sweetness and dry cherry-pomegranate conflux, increasing sweet ‘n sour raspberry theme profusely. Faint barnyard acridity softens dry-grained spine. Tertiary red grape, plum, cranberry and balsamic vinegaring crowd raspberry soda-like finish.
FOUNDERS OATMEAL STOUT – NITRO
On tap at Poor Henry’s, 2015 nitro version of famous dark ale retains remarkable Guinness Stout-like nutty mocha creaminess. Mild black chocolate-informed coffee resonance gently flows into soft oats-flaked hop char, leaving peanut-shelled walnut remnant at mocha latte finish.
