All posts by John Fortunato

REDD’S APPLE ALE

OK. So MillerCoors makes this lowly-regarded malt beverage (suspectly given space at the liquor store in the beer section). They ain’t beer ’cause the grain base don’t exist and it tastes more like apple juice. However, as a light refreshment its red apple ripeness, sweet cider kick and sugary caramel backside have a spritzy splendor sweet-toothed softies and Jolly Rancher fans will enjoy.

Redd's Apple Launcher Sweepstakes and Instant Win Game - Free

MISSION DARK SEAS RUSSIAN IMPERIAL STOUT

Ultra-rich full body tries to squeeze a myriad of flavors into a single whole and nearly succeeds. Creamy dark chocolate fudging gets nudged by glutinous anise gunk as port-wined black cherry, blackberry and prune harden the edges. Pine-sapped molasses and oak-charred black whiskey tones thicken the embittered tar-like hop char. Just a little heavy-handed and overwhelming.

Dark Seas Russian Imperial Stout | San Diego Beer Blog

 

 

 

 

RHINELANDER CHOCOLATE BUNNY STOUT

Richly creamed Easter-seasoned mocha dessert similar to Mackeson Triple XXX Stout’s rich caramel-burnt toffee theme, only less effective. Still, its milky dark-roasted brown chocolate sweetness is infectious and the cocoa-powdered espresso coffee backend effective. Moreover, an inviting pine-sapped molasses thickness and mild vanilla sugaring secure the full-bodied pleasantry. However, oily resin hop gunk, trifling raisin souring and buttery soy saucing seem out of place.

 Chocolate Bunny : Rhinelander Brewing Company : BreweryDB.

BECK’S SAPPHIRE

On principle alone, this golden-paled macrobrew disaster should receive a zero rating. Its under-utilized or under-developed sapphire hop influence gets lost amongst buttery corn malts and cloying artificial sugaring to its stale white breaded finish. Soapy respite ruins the aftertaste. Beck’s should never allow this cheap crap to penetrate an already saturated beer market.

   Beck's Sapphire is 6% of upscale ABV - Guyism

HOF TEN DORMAAL BELGIAN DARK ALE -COGNAC

Traditional Belgian blonde ale used as base for oak-aged 12% alcohol-fused brown body. Cognac barrel adds mellow warmth and rich sweetness to supple red-wined tenacity and pureed berry swerve. Vinous grape tannins provide sour refuge to sugared Bordeau, Beaujolais, bourbon and burgundy luster. Plum-wined strawberry, blackberry, boysenberry and rapsberry rasp finds middle ground. Receding red licorice nip spotted.
Hof ten Dormaal Cognac Barrel-aged Blond Ale | BeerPulse