Faulty golden-hazed Belgian ‘wild ale’ subtitled ‘Lips Of faith’ lacks up-front assertion and genuine appeal. Minty fresh nose, mild herbal spicing, white grape souring, and strident tart cherry finish require better depth.
All posts by John Fortunato
NEW BELGIUM ABBEY BELGIAN STYLE ALE
Eloquent yeast-candied sugaring envelops bittersweet dried fruited piquancy to creamy caramelized center. Wispy fig-spiced raisin, plum and cherry sweetness contrasts orange-molded banana souring. Dry peat-smoked barleymalts hang in the balance as mild cognac finish unfolds. Less alcoholic and more buttery than Belgian competition, therefore easier for amateur imbibing.
NEW AMSTERDAM WINTER ANNIVERSARY DARK ALE
Dark brown cola hue, robust tan head, and spicy malt aroma provide lead-in for earthy blood-rich seasonal. Bittersweet mocha persistence sways black licorice sensation, coffee-roasted souring, and bland nuttiness. In need of further panache as sea water skank mires bottom end. Brewery defunct: 2008.
NEW AMSTERDAM WINTER ANNIVERSARY ALE
Sweet barley-roasted mocha entry leads to drier chocolate-covered raisin finish, putting this closer to a porter. Flaked oats, instead of expectant nutmeg or cinnamon, contour peculiar full-bodied holiday ale. Barleywine-burgundy undertones add depth. Brewery defunct: 2008.
NEW AMSTERDAM OCTOBERFEST
Rich brown hue and grainy aroma captivate the eyes and nose while heavy crystal malting gets prickled tongue-tingling hop spicing. Better than average Octoberfests. Brewery defunct: 2008.
NEW AMSTERDAM NEW YORK ALE
Dry-hopped fermentation gives this subtle ale a frisky front end. Creamy malts meld with slight honey sweetness for soft, effective middle of the road delight. Brewery defunct: 2008.
NEW AMSTERDAM INDIA PALE ALE
Fresh citrus aroma, soft barleymalt sweetness, and light agave hint bump into blustery hop fizz. Rich brownish-orange hue seems out of place for such an indistinct watery IPA. However, served on tap, it gains luster, resonation, and a higher rating. Brewery defunct: 2008.
NEW AMSTERDAM INDIA DARK ALE
Strong smoked chocolate presence, mocha porter thickness, and dark coffee aroma immediately noticed. Syrupy residue provides creamy malt whiskey sensation. Roasted barley base gives way to prune-plum notes and nut-tinged complacency. Well crafted (with six malts and three varieties of hops) and quite heady as a rewarding after dinner drink. Improbably darker, richer and better than New Amsterdam Black & Tan.
NEW AMSTERDAM CAMPAIGN ALE
Whether you’re Democrat or Republican, this Election ’96 ale will satisfy growing tastes of young voters. Typical moderately bitter New Amsterdam ‘Ale’ taste leads us to believe they just slapped a different label on it for the presidential election. Lingering grain aftertaste gives it a bit of a kick. Brewery defunct: 2008.
NEUZELLER KLOSTER-BRAU GOLDEN ABBOT LAGER
Don’t let inconspicuous pale tone of enchanting golden amber-hued lager (a.k.a. Closter Zell) trick you into thinking it’s weak one-dimensional fodder. Easy flowing malt whiskey sweetness and candy-coated yeast caress pick up dark fruit nuances by serene wheat finish.
NEUZELLER KLOSTER-BRAU BLACK ABBOT LAGER
Festive brown-bodied tan-headed dark lager retains emphatic roasted chocolate sweetness as infectious butterscotch creaminess, powdered cocoa suggestion, and tobacco leaf illusion deepen Scotch malt proclivity. Smoked wood sedation intensifies thick brown-sugared black molasses resilience to sticky hard-candied finish for slow sipping dessert treat.
NEUZELLER KLOSTER-BRAU BATHBEER
Deep brown-hued, medium-bodied German dark lager with cocoa-smoked coffee-burnt entry and thick tobacco imprint settles for extremely parched plum tranquility. Soft ashen malt finish fits moderate template, knocking back tertiary powdered chocolate dryness effectively.