Magic Hat’s boutique organic division brews Orlio series. Astringent moderate-bodied gold-hued steam beer retains off-putting orange-oiled sour lemon tartness and vagrant vegetal zeal. Caramel malts hidden faraway.
All posts by John Fortunato
ORKNEY SKULLSPLITTER ALE
Foamy bubbles cascade above muddy texture while pouring syrupy candy-red-hued 8.5% alcohol ale. Pervasive barleywine opulence enriched by barley-toasted chocolate sweetness and cherry-pureed prune-plum tartness to moderate nutty finish.
ORKNEY RED MAC GREGOR RUBY ALE
Sweet iced tea entry gives way to fleeting wood-burnt barleywine elegance, impacting prune-soured sugar plum finish. Despite ‘red’ labeling, perhaps inspired by hop-spiced fruiting and toasted barley malting, resembles less nutty brown ale.
ORKNEY DRAGON HEAD STOUT
Wood-charred tobacco-stained black coffee souring lures maple-sapped burnt hickory, chalky mocha, muted raisin, black licorice and cola nutty illusions for fantastic frothy tan-headed dry-bodied peculiarity. Sneaky orange rind influence makes brilliant cameo below tar-stained leathering. Richer, creamier, and more pungent than Guinness Stout.
ORKNEY DARK ISLAND DARK ALE
Enjoyable burgundy-hued, mocha-scented Scot with carbolic soda-like opening gaining earthy grain prominence prior to sweet ‘n sour tingly-spiced cherry-grape innuendo decorates robust wood burnt finish. Musty roasted coffee bottom maintains stability.
(DARWIN) ORIGINAL FLAG PORTER
Deep brown-hued, sweet mocha-scented porter with earthy bitterness, elegant coffee backup, and thick maple finish subsides too quickly. Ultimately, dark malt resin puts it close to drier alt beer.
OREGON RASPBERRY WHEAT ALE
Pronounced raspberry essence, full-bodied malt-hopped swagger, and soft wheat nuance complement nectar nicety to fizzy hop finish. Fruity ale lovers will knock these down instantly. For those disliking fructose-injected brews, this may be peculiar, but grain thickness and teensy spicing may win them over.
OREGON NUT BROWN ALE
While not as indelible as Sam Smith’s Nut Brown, up-front hazelnut prudence, roasted barleymalt resonation, caramel cadence, and plum wine illusion lather creamy liqueur finish. Crisp Northwest water briskness absorbs exhilarating complexities.
OREGON INDIA PALE ALE
Honey-hued, bubbly-headed, hop-scented IPA with coarse grains, spiced fruit, and burnt wood chips underpinning bland off dry finish. On tap, pumpkin and clove increase up-front template substantially.
ORCHARD STREET PORTER
London-styled smoked porter nestles dry chocolate nose next to freeze-dried coffee mouthfeel before sticky yeast syrup and smoked malt thickness engage chalky mocha finish.
ORANJEBOOM PREMIUM LAGER
Another lively carbonated citric-soured yeast-stenched Dutch brew. Sweet vanilla creaming juxtaposes supple hop bitterness at midst. Spritzy orange peel detected at earthen nut finish. Too dank and soapy to overtake better local competition.
OMMEGANG WITTE
Fizzy white-headed, cloudy yellow-glowed medium body may lack true distinction, but likable lemony clove tartness, light orange-dried honeysuckle herbage and clean Seltzer spritz cannot be denied. Slim banana-coriander cadence gains vanilla-bubblegum snippet lost amongst soft white grape souring, tingling off-dry herbal restraint and narrow wheat margin. On tap at Seven Lakes Station ’23, mild sourdough creaming mellows out dry citrus spicing.