All posts by John Fortunato

GREEN FLASH GREEN BULLET TRIPLE INDIA PALE ALE

On tap at Three Wise Monks, conquering super-hopped triple IPA never gets too bitter despite being first-class hophead delight. Instead, robust floral-fruited New Zealand green bullet hop oiling adds brighter citric zest and juicier tropical tang. Lemony orange rind bittering and resinous pine sapping gain prominence contrasting delightful pineapple-grapefruit-mango-nectarine-peach bouquet. Creamy caramel malt sugaring sweetens its juicy-fruited goodness further. Juniper-nipped vodka snip provides boozy ethanol burn.

STONE ENJOY BY 11-12-13 IPA

Enviably enterprising West Coast trailblazers flood market almost monthly with absolutely delectable fresh hopped IPA fare. On tap at Growler & Gill, highly expressive full-bodied November-bound beauty spreads sweet pineapple, peach, grapefruit, melon, tangerine, mango, nectarine and cantaloupe fruiting across moderate pine-needled orange peel bittering. Elegant floral bouquet scintillates sugary crystal malting as well as lusty fruit juicing, resinous hop sharpness and wafting evergreen splendor. A hint of lemon zest brightens the mood even further. Magnificient!

Stone Enjoy By 11.12.13 IPA | Stone Brewing

 

WEYERBACHER ALTHEA BELGIAN-STYLE DUBBEL

Rich dubbel ‘brewed with plums’ really hits the mark. Candi-sugared Italian plum influence weighs heavy on peppery Belgian yeast strain. Musty muscat grape-juiced stewed prune musk and cinnamon raisin breading pick up sharp hop spicing. Tertiary green grape, blackberry, raspberry and boysenberry tartness stays beneath surface. Fizzy grape soda sweetness contrasts vinous oaken grape tannins at ripe plum finish.

PORT BOARD MEETING BROWN ALE

‘Amplified’ brown ale scatters judicious hop-charred bittering across dominant gourmet coffee roast. Creamy molasses-smoked black chocolate fudging and nutty cocoa nibs add further mocha splendor. Burnt caramel glazes hazelnut, cola and walnut undertones. Scrumptious espresso macchiato finish picks up wispy fresh-ground chili peppering. All in all, a robustly well-detailed dry body way beyond standard brown ale styling – comparing favorably with richer coffee stouts.
   

 

(DE PROEF) TO OL BY UDDER MEANS MILK STOUT (AGED IN MUSCATEL)

On tap at Julian’s Restaurant, fabulous milk stout, aged to perfection in muscatel barrels, seamlessly blends chocolate with red wine. Creamy molasses-sapped black chocolate overture enriches sweet dessert-wined muscat grape segue. Plum-sugared black grape, green raisin, blueberry and sherry undertones reinforced by soy-milked hop char. Subtle mocha illusions of chocolate cake, cocoa and vanilla waver beneath.

ALMOND 22 TORBATA ALE

Subtle rust-hued English-styled barleywine brewed with chestnut honey and orange zest (and packaged in fancy carafe glassware) will please fans of Innis & Gunn’s mellow Scotch-barreled eccentricities. Delicate rauchbier-like kiln-smoked peat malts serenade cedar-chipped pecan, almond and rum raisin illusions. Dry tobacco-leafed crisping affects ancillary almondine, armagnac, almond biscotti and marzipan pleasantries. Advertised orange zest adjunct seems nominal. Soft-toned whiskeyed caramel finish melts on tongue.