All posts by John Fortunato

BRONX RYE PALE ALE

Beers A-Z
On tap at Birdsall House, dry medium-bodied pale ale utilizes spiced rye malts to envelop its mild grapefruit bittering and sweet pineapple-peah-apple-pear fruiting. Parched bark acridity and light floral niche reinforce citric-forward alliance. Serve to India Pale Ale imbibers as an approachable moderation.

 

BIRDSALL HOUSE

BEER PUB

Birdsall House

 

PEEKSKILL, NEW YORK

In the old industrial town of Peekskill on its hilly Main Street, BIRDSALL HOUSE is housed inside a narrow freestanding brick building with a cement-floored metal-chaired side porch. Originally an A & P market and thereafter Connelly’s Pub, the friendly neighborhood bar, opened March 2010, features 20 snazzy craft beer draughts to go alongside a medium upscale menu.

Upon entering Birdsall House on a weekday during dinnertime in October 2012, I grab a seat at the rustic left side mahogany bar right in front of the central tap handles. The cozy interior benefits from two atrium skylights, 20 wooden bar stools and 12 section-divided right side booths. Two draught-only chalkboards near the front door list such fabulous American beers as Alesmith Anvil, Founders Breakfast Stout, Great Divide Titan IPA, Nectar IPA,  Three Heads Bromigo and Victory Donnybrook Irish Stout.

The dark-lit noirish ambiance fits its casual nighttime appeal. Local artists play live on certain evenings and classic movies oft-times get projected across the bar on the yellow wall. Happy hour runs from 4 to 7 PM on weekdays.

At my initial two-hour stopover, I settle into the nitro-creamed Empire Cream Ale, an eggshell-headed tea-like moderation with buttery rye malts and reedy hops. Then I speak to local skateboard pro, Brian Brown, while consuming dry woody-hopped grapefruit-embittered Bronx Rye IPA. For a nightcap, I choose puree-roasted gourd seasonal Captain Lawrence Katchkie Harvest Pumpkin Ale. (All beers reviewed in Beer Index).

Recommended dishes include Grilled Lamb Sliders, Cast-Iron Seared Hanger Steak and Goat Cheese En Croute.

During April ’21 lunch trip, sat at the newly furbished metal-furnished right side deck area under the large amoeba-celled mural with wife. A cinder-grounded bench area added further outdoor seating this sunny afternoon.

Got to try Captain Lawrence Classic Lager and Southern Tier Coconut Truffle – Nitro (both reviewed in Beer Index) alongside calamari and cheesesteak.

www.birdsallhouse.net

 

 

(DE PROEF) OMNIPOLLO MAZARIN

Beers A-Z
Elegant American-styled pale ale (with melting white candle on label) gypsy brewed by Stockholm, Sweden’s Omnipollo for Belgium’s De Proef. Bright fruited hop spicing picks up soft pine-needled grapefruit bittering to sourdough yeast bottom. Rose-watered mandarin orange, lemon zest, pineapple, nectar, peach, red apple and red grape illusions mesh well. Scrumptious.     

MOA PALE ALE

Beers A-Z
Peculiarities abound for this American-styled pale ale from New Zealand. Unexpected herbaceous mineral graining takes the lead, bringing rye, alfalfa, barnyard and straw wheat earthiness to dry hop-oiled fruiting. Indigenous Nelson Sauvin hops bring white-wined sour grape, gooseberry and kiwi illusions to musty lemon-seeded bittering. Soft orange peel, passion fruit and peach undertones add depth to honeyed green tea finish.  
 

MOA BREAKFAST ALE

Beers A-Z
Musty fruited Belgian-styled wheat ale fails to properly unfurl mild morningtime complexities. Desolate candi-sugared cherry frontage and aromatic raspberry wisp intercepted by weak banana bubblegum sugaring. Washed-out watermelon-strawberry-honeydew-kiwi reminder, polite mandarin orange snip and recessive rhubarb-pomegranate nip barely register. By the watery finish, carbolic Seltzer fizz overrides faded tropical flavors. 

INNIS & GUNN SPICED RUM FINISH (a.k.a. RUM CASK)

Beers A-Z
 
Randomly redundant rumrunner (the updated 2012 version of Rum Cask) may be a tad creamier and richer than I & G’s original whiskey-cask pleasantries, but a few subtle differences make soft-toned offshoot washed-out by its soapier Scotch-dried rum finish. Unlike the original Rum Cask, the newer ‘spiced rum’ version’s crystal-malted vanilla spicing and dainty pecan sweetness fade in the stretch. In need of a thick varnishing instead of a single coat.

SIXPOINT AUTUMNATION

Beers A-Z
Atypical autumnal ale with freshly wet green hops and citric fruiting pushing it stylistically towards an IPA and away from a traditional pumpkin ale. Wavered grapefruit-orange bittering and unexpected ginger seasoning overtake any appreciable pumpkin influence. Harvest-grained minerality and resinous white-peppered bite lost in overwhelming carbolic fizz. Wispy guava, mango and kiwi undertones get washed-out alongside any gourd remnant.
Sixpoint Autumnation Beer 23344

 

AIDAN’S PUB & GRUB

BEER PUB
 
BRISTOL, RHODE ISLAND
 Across the harbor inside a gold-painted maroon-trimmed corner building, AIDAN’S PUB & GRUB is Bristol’s best craft beer bar (competing favorably with Wakefield’s superfine Mew’s 15 miles south). Its rustic low-ceiling first floor bar is reminiscent of an Irish pub with its wood furnishings, cozy bar and Guinness-sponsored menu. A side deck provides extra seating and the smaller upstairs bar counters a comfortable dining area where a large TV shows the National League playoff game between the Giants and Cardinals this Friday evening in mid-October 2012.
 
I reach for an Offshore Beach Road Nut Brown brewed by a nearby Nantucket brewery (reviewed in the Beer Index) while chowing on Shepherd’s Pie. My son orders the Dublin Pot Pie while my wife and daughter nibble on turkey sandwiches. The worthy pub fare also includes Black Angus steak, chops, seafare and large customized desserts. Aidan’s deservedly boasts the title, “Official St. Patrick’s Day Headquarters.” But you don’t have to be Irish to enjoy the intimate casual atmosphere and ’88 Beers From Around The World’ when visiting this busy harborside retreat.
 
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Revisited Aidan’s a year later with wife and kids during Roger Williams family weekend on a crisp October ’13 Saturday at dinner time.  This time, we sat in the homey left side dining room, a pristine family area featuring a ski lodge-like slate hearth and a few wood Guinness signs on the walls. I downed the moist Limerick Burger with bacon while family enjoyed turkey club, Cajun chicken and chicken pot pie.
 
For a beverage, I chose Utah’s Squatters Hop Rising Double IPA, a brusque floral-citric medium body contrasting juniper-hopped grapefruit bittering and resinous pine sap with tangy orange-tangerine-mango-pineapple fruiting (full review in Beer Index).        

www.aidanspub.com