Frosty white-headed froth and strong alcohol whiff introduce otherwise becalmed moderate-bodied ale. Various spicy adjuncts prickle lemon-soured grapefruit tongue. Yellow-fruited hop bitterness gains prominence over slim pale malt backbone. Love that strong alcoholic finish, too.
All posts by John Fortunato
(RIVA) DENTERGEMS WIT
Weak soft-bodied blonde wheat ale (a.k.a. Riva Blanche Belgian Ale) with bland lemon tea entry, interceptive citric acidity, and tepid soapy finish. Dull lemon-hopped fizzing barely rises above sour yeast sash.
RIO GRANDE ELFEGO-BOCK
Thin amber-hued Vienna-styled bock lager reveals vigorous mash tun scent and dank raisin sourness up-front. Then, roasted barley, toasted malts, sweet caramel, and muted chestnut carry on to sugary maltose finish for restrained cereal grained mildness.
(RINKUSKIAI) BIRZIECIY CLASSIC STOUT
Rich 8% alcohol stout rejects expectant chocolate-coffee traits for unanticipated port wine skewer. Ester-y red grape core, soured prune vestige, and minor cherry notion stabilize creamy malt foundation.
(RINKUSKIAI) BARO TRADICINI
Inoffensive clear straw lager retains dank malt sweetness and white breaded sourdough pleasantry to watered down metallic finish. Lazy barley-oats scamper recedes abruptly. Hefty 9.5% alcohol strength lost in the shuffle.
(RINKUSKIAI) AIKO PALE ALE
Body and character may lack, but fizzy phenol tedium will please sweaty lawn-mowing pilsner heads. Toasted bread dampness eats up corn-husked parchedness, dried rice morsel, and astringent orange tartness.
RINGNES PILSENER
Pungent gold-hazed premium pils with all-too-familiar Nordic yeast souring. Unlikely Mexican-related agave spicing and floral accents pique interest temporarily but overwhelmingly musty pilsner malting brings raunchy astringency. Barest hint of mocha found at ambiguous finish. Barely thicker, richer than most one dimensional pilsners.
RINGNES GOLD
Sweet barley thrust contrasts skunked sourdough follow-up and cloy malt soaping, putting moderate-bodied Norwegian in minor league when compared to better nearby Holland-based brewer, Heineken. Faux corn-sugared malt liquor finish embittered by musty alcohol burn. One step from the junk pile.
(RIDGEWAY) WARM WELCOME NUT BROWNED ALE
Pleasantly smooth translucent copper moderation retains relaxed almondine-Amaretto bulwark reinforced by honeyed hazelnut, roasted chestnut, and dried prune illusions. Chewy caramel malts subtly linger through light metallic flutter.
(RIDGEWAY) VERY BAD ELF SPECIAL RESERVE ALE
Surprisingly mainstream Fuggle-hopped winter reserve lacks specific seasonal spiciness, staying inexpressive despite arousing fruited vegetal facade and pale malt quench.
(RIDGEWAY) SERIOUSLY BAD ELF ALE
Nasty gnome insignia suits swooning alcoholic elixir. Thick ‘n’ creamy fruited malt resilience, detailed cherry-prune serration, and sinister sherry saunter bring heady inception to complex Belgian tripel-styled intoxication. Pecan, berry, and currant notes coat sticky underbelly.
(RIDGEWAY) SANTA’S BUTT WINTER PORTER
Amiable ruby-maroon English porter humorously celebrates Saint Nick’s wide posterior with off-dry mocha frontage, roasted coffee sequel, and toasted barley bottom. Tobacco-dried plum wine and port illusions enter the fray beside grape tannin souring. Sedate watery finish sops mild malt creaminess.