Faded butterscotch-caramel twist given peppy hop thrust. Distant fruitiness juxtaposes sour chocolate-malted flaked oats. Reminiscent of a darker Modelo Negra.
All posts by John Fortunato
(CHERRYLAND) SILVER RAIL LAGER
Embedded grain primacy heightens checkered Scotch malt mesh. Thicker head and fuller body would benefit overall durability of mere session beer.
SILETZ WOOLY BULLY LAGER
Closer to an expressive pale ale than an obvious lager, rusty nickel hued nomad brings feisty bruised orange sourness, lemony white peach tagline and dry cork waft to vinous grape-draped cherry pucker. Thick malt lacquering consumes floral-hopped fruit finish as recessed smoky wood tempest builds strength. Brewed by Calapooia Brewery after 2008.
SILETZ SPRUCE ALE
Herbaceous version of Siletz Wooly Bully has interesting rust-glowed hue and tidy spruce-tipped sprinkling. Remedial orange-soured eucalyptus-menthol freshness gains force as spruce-y sweetness resonates, snatching hints of tangerine and peach along the way.
SILETZ PADDLE ME INDIA PALE ALE
Amber golden hue resembles setting sun as a burst of lemony orange bitterness drives back tangy peach-y keen sweetness. Roasted barley foundation falters before herbal-currant trifle brings assurance.
SILETZ OATMEAL CREAM STOUT
Boisterous coffee bean bitterness overwhelms affable hazelnut-walnut surroundings and ashy cocoa scurry of reliable mahogany body. Maple oats enrich black cherry nuance. Astoundingly thicker and more hop-roasted than greater Rogue Hazelnut Brown Ale.
(SILENRIEUX) SARA BUCKWHEAT ALE
Smoked cereal malting, grassy spelt graining and rhubarb-like buckwheat dryness drape compost-wafted prune intensity to wheat wine finish. Each sip brings out more of its voluptuous plum-raisin-prune character and tannic yellow grape souring above mildewed barnyard funk. Uncomplicated… subtle.
(SILENRIEUX) JOSEPH SPELT ALE
Sturdy white-headed amber witbier hems mildly hop-embittered banana-clove couplet next to earthen nut-grain compaction. Orange rind dryness and lemony tartness coat tongue after few sips. Carbolic hop fizz depletes candied sugar slip and desolate baked bread spread.
SIERRA NEVADA UNFILTERED WHEAT
Lacking sufficient wheat essence, pale medium body relies instead on moderate herbal-spiced citric-berry austerity. Bittersweet fruit tang, hop-charred maple stead and sour nutty bottom receive fresh watered crisping. Not as aggressive as better, more refined wheat ales.
SIERRA NEVADA SUMMERFEST 2006 PILSNER
Marginally better bottle-conditioned ’06 version of Czech-styled pilsner layers sleekly soft floral-hopped grapefruit-lemon fizz, thin green grape-apricot-apple sass, and earthen barnyard waft atop fragile cracked wheat spine. Pale translucent body and white head seem as delicate as its baked bread finish, but metallic tinge impairs mild rye sag.
SIERRA NEVADA SUMMERFEST 2000 PILSNER
Well-balanced bottom-fermented seasonal retains lively citrus zest, sweet berry-cherry conflux, and sharp hop bitterness. Effervescent.
SIERRA NEVADA SUMMERFEST PILSNER
Original bottom fermented ‘summer’ lager’ (circa 1998?) invigorates creamy caramel malt slurp with wheat-backed fruitiness. Berry slip and floral dip maintain good ol’ rural summer feel. Overt carbonation prohibits well-meshed ingredients to shine, though bittersweet hop thrust intensifies.