Heady NEIPA with heavily hazed golden glow plies zesty Citra-hopped citrus tang and salty Nelson Sauvin-hopped gooseberry-guava souring to wildflower honeyed oated wheat creaming. Assertive vodka-clean 10% alcohol flow lacquers lemony orange-peeled grapefruit bittering and candied mango-peach-pineapple comeuppance as resinous piney hop dankness stays distant.
All posts by John Fortunato
TWIN ELEPHANT S’MORES BORG IMPERIAL STOUT
Chewy marshmallowy coconut S’mores knockoff brings caramelized fudge brownie richness and brown sugared chocolate chip creaminess to the fore. Chocolate pudding skin-like upper layer thickens honeyed Graham Cracker base as tertiary Kahlua coffee liqueur, Mounds candy bar, toasted coconut shavings and chocolate-dipped marshmallow illusions increase luscious luxuriousness of pastry dessert nightcap.
ESKER HART MANDORLA IMPERIAL STOUT
On tap at Taphouse 15, richly lactose chocolate pudding-skinned dark cocoa nuttiness consumes toasted coconut adjunct and mild marcona almond influence. Caramelized mocha continuance gains slight marshmallow fluff, molasses syruping and Graham Cracker sugaring. A fine fireplace nightcap.
TOPPLING GOLIATH ROVER TRUCK OATMEAL STOUT
On tap at Ambulance, soothing nitro version of popular oatmeal stout retains soft-toned mocha persistence. Mild nutty coffee entry picks up milked espresso dryness, dark chocolate bittering and sedate hop char above molasses-licked oatmeal base.
FINBACK COCONUT DRIP IMPERIAL STOUT
On tap at Taphouse 15, creamily rich nightcap drapes mild Invisible Force coffee roast with coconut-toasted dark cocoa resonance and spiced vanilla beaning. Delicate peanut butter adjunct nearly lost in the molasses-sapped Mounds Bar finish.
ALEMENTARY EGGNOG IMPERIAL BLONDE STOUT AGED IN LANIAKEA BARRELS
On tap at Plank Pizza, mildly creamed rummy eggnog creaming gains coffee and vanilla sugaring plus cinnamon-nutmeg spicing as Laniakea bourbon barrel aging adds whiskeyed chocolate serenity to sweet dessert treat.
LUDLAM ISLAND BRUDOLPH PEPPERMINT STOUT
On tap at Plank Pizza, lovely peppermint Rudolph variant leaves coffee-stained dark chocolate syrup upon wintry coniferous sprucing and dried ginger leaf peppering, finishing like a frosted chocolate mint brownie or better yet, a Peppermint Patty confection.
LUDLAM ISLAND THUNDER JACKET IMPERIAL STOUT
On tap at Plank Pizza, delightful ‘black and white milkshake’ knockoff combines syrupy dark chocolate fudging with creamy vanilla resilience. Lactose-aided mocha vanilla richness deepened by milk-sugared hazelnut coffee tones.
ROGUE HONEY MAMA’S SANTA’S PRIVATE RESERVE
Creamily chocolate tangerine pureed 2022 winter stout retains cocoa-nibbed citrus distinction. Oats-honeyed chocolate stead welcomes candied tangerine spritz with buttery sesame-seeded tahini influence. Sweetly tart dessert fruited mocha fodder.
SOUTHERN TIER COLD BREW COFFEE PUMKING NITRO
Creamily silken nitro cold brew coffee Pumking variant displays exuberant coffee-sugared pumpkin spicing. Luscious caramel latte, creme brulee, fudged chocolate, hazelnut coffee, cinnamon coffee, gingerbread cookie, mint chocolate and vanilla cake seduction presses up against wintry pumpkin-pied nutmeg, clove and ginger spicing as well as dewy peat moisture.
ICARUS B.A. DOUBLE MAPLE COCONUT & DESIST IMPERIAL STOUT (2022)
On tap at Taphouse 15, blending mellow Heaven Hill whiskey with vanilla-oaked Old Weller wheated bourbon, maple syrupy barrel-aged Imperial pastry stout reaches delightful crescendo. Adjunctive raw coconut milking and honey-glazed almond sugaring provide further succulent splendor to whiskeyed mocha sweetness. Recommended.
ICARUS YONDER MILD DARK ALE
On tap at Plank Pizza, traditional English-styled mild dark ale stays soothingly smooth and softly crisp, retaining flattish nitro feel without getting arid. Dried cocoa entry picks up subtle rye-flaked pumpernickel breading, caraway seeded nuttiness, crisp tobacco roast and musty coffee oiling atop dewy peat-soiled Maris Otter malting.