All posts by John Fortunato

HARDYWOOD SIDAMO COFFEE STOUT

Beers A-Z

By scattering loads of expressive Ethiopian coffee (from local Lamplighter shop) atop serene caramel-malted milk chocolate creaminess, full-bodied Russian Imperial retains soothing approachability and really stands out. Rich roasted coffee bean bittering picks up quickly descending blueberry puree initiation. Dark-spiced dried cocoa, molasses, toffee and hazelnut undertones suffice.

 

SIXPOINT 3BEANS

Beers A-Z
On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead, rich and creamy limited edition Baltic Porter’s way more extreme than typical stylistic competition. Soothing Stumptown coffee roasting overrides hefty 10% alcohol volume. Modest oak aging dries out cacao-husked cappuccino, espresso, vanilla, molasses, Kahlua and black chocolate subsidies. Fudgy hazelnut midstream sweetens up-front java bittering and minor wood-smoked hop char.
 

ANDERSON VALLEY WILD TURKEY BOURBON BARREL AGED BARNEY FLATS OATMEAL STOUT

Beers A-Z
On tap at Andy’s Corner Bar, ambitious mocha stout receives mild rye-dried Wild Turkey bourbon barrel aging. Dark chocolate entry picks up fudgy coconut, vanilla, molasses, espresso and cocoa powder illusions as well as tertiary cola-walnut nuances. Sour cherry and raspberry undertones firm up the hop-charred backdrop, adding dried fruited depth. In the bottle, circa 2014, richly creamed high gravity dark ale gains velvetier smoothness, drier bourbon influence and teasing rye whiskey nip. Subtle black chocolate, day-old coffee and raw molasses undertones get scattered.
Anderson Valley Wild Turkey Bourbon Barrel Stout now available on

WIDMER BROTHERS OLD EMBALMER BARLEYWINE

Beers A-Z
On tap at Andy’s Corner Bar, mellow sweet-fruited barleywine retains easy appeal despite boozy turpentine backdrop. Cotton-candied peach, pear, pineapple, clementine, tangerine, red cherry and brown apple ripeness spreads across mild grassy-hopped pink grapefruit bittering. Red-wined Sangria niche reinforces fruit-spiced India Pale Ale-like sensation as well as oncoming caramel-honeyed vanilla sugaring.
 
 
 

WIDMER BROTHERS BRRR

Beers A-Z
Pleasant sweet-fruited caramel-malted winter warmer closer to a mild IPA than a holiday-spiced seasonal. Grassy-hopped grapefruit peel bittering softens over tangy orange-tangerine-apple-pear-peach-cherry ripeness, brown-sugared cinnamon toasting and cereal-grained bed. Resinous spruce-pined forestry freshened by clean-watered minerality. Medicinal ethanol astringency lingers thru backend. A perfectly centrist choice. 
 

SMUTTYNOSE ZINNEKKE BELGIAN-STYLE STOUT

Beers A-Z
On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead, bittersweet Belgian stout arouses green coffee beaning and cappuccino-milked creaming with sugar-spiced candi syrup. Modest bourbon barrel aging serenades loud mocha frontage. Hazelnut espresso, chalky cocoa and vanilla fortify dark chocolate interior, melting away some high end coffee tones. In deep recess, banana, cherry and plum nuances reside.
 

LOST ABBEY JUDGEMENT DAY

Beers A-Z
Generously fruited Belgian dark ale is a stronger offshoot of brewers’ fine Lost & Found Ale. Raisin-pureed red grape, cherry jubilee, raspberry, blackberry and melon tones drape brown-sugared Black Forest chocolate caking. Rigorous dried fruiting and rich maple molasses malting gain luster above nutty mocha hide. Tertiary maple, molasses, spiced rum, amaretto, vanilla, black licorice and cocoa illusions deepen impact.
 
   
 

HARPOON DIRECTOR’S CUT

Beers A-Z
Splotchy chestnut-browned pale ale/stout mixture needs better definition as Black & Tan styling. Ashen hop-charred walnut and Brazil nut rut as well as distant molasses-smoked chocolate malting fail to register properly above moderate citric splurge. Minor grapefruit peel bittering, wavered tobacoo roast and wispy plum wining lose out to overt carbolic fizz.
 
Press Release: Harpoon 100 Barrel Series Director's Cut Ale Now