Meek ruby amber re-interpretation of original Brown Ale disappoints as perky hop fizz registers above disintegrative barleymalt plainness and meandering cherry-pear-quince disillusions. Skittish astringent finish blunts red-fruited nature bereft of proper grain modulation.
All posts by John Fortunato
PETE’S WICKED RED RUSH AMERICAN RED ALE
Moderate creaminess, raspberry murk, and barley-wheat resonation weaken by dank malt finish. Dark fruity overtones subside rapidly and a lack of spiciness deters its promise. Closer to a simple lager with only faded red ale overtones.
PETE’S WICKED RALLY CAP ALE
Middling light-bodied golden ale maintains spritzy lemon-hopped simplicity, bland malted wheat aspect, and dreary phenol acidity. Floral hints recede abruptly. Uninteresting.
PETE’S (WICKED) PUB ALE
Sappy malt luster and frisky hop fizz settle in as multigrain breading and spring water flow subdue bittersweet lacquer-like template. Does a fine job capturing the essence of an English pub brew.
PETE’S WICKED OKTOBERFEST
Traditional Bavarian celebration ale with fruity zest, heavy hop assertion, and sharp grain follow-up accentuated by orange peel tartness. Rich and hearty, this tawny knockoff complements knockwurst dishes well. But serious German competition kicks its American butt.
PETE’S WICKED MUNICH STYLE HELLES LAGER
Plain German knockoff fails to deliver. Foamy hop bitterness, thin malt sweetness, and perky berry moderation barely enliven flaccid grain finish, as delicate apricot tones and musty tangerine scent get lost in the shuffle. Only amateur pilsner fans ready to take off their Bud/ Miller training wheels need apply.
PETE’S WICKED ORIGINAL AMERICAN BROWN ALE
Sweet mocha-malt mildness and grainy earthiness contain washed out hop carbonation for an inviting Scotch-like pleasantry. Lacks richness of better brown ales, but soothing water texture remains brisk.
PETE’S WICKED MULTI GRAIN
Definite overpowering grain presence emerges, though no one strand dominates this foamy rye-influenced ale. Well-balanced malted barley, wheat, and oats fill out splendid sweet cereal finish.
PETE’S WICKED MARDI GRAS
Peculiar ginger-aided beer with copper hue and holiday ale spicing. Though never overbearingly eccentric, Pete’s definitely done better.
PETE’S WICKED MAPLE PORTER
Hearty porter with smoky maple extract and caramel coating. Upon swallowing, molasses-chocolate ire kicks in, remaining firm at pervasive pecan finish. Not quite as robust as most top shelf porters, but maybe more sweetly flavorful.
PETE’S WICKED ESP LAGER
Lame hop dryness overwhelms creamy maple malts, sabotaging any specificity. Polite spicing saves diminished grain finish, barely.
PETE’S WICKED ALE
Burnished light-bodied brown ale not as sturdy as heavier, thicker rivals, yet way more popular from 1995 to 2005. Sublte hop flow and honeyed yeast seduction initially tame the front end, as buttery barley-mocha malts and butterscotch insinuation increase casual sweetness mid-palate. Yet lack of depth and subdued prune restraint hurt overall appeal.