Though lacking advertised pineapple tropicalia and coconut influence, superseding dark-roasted black chocolate persistence will please dark ale (or Black IPA) lovers. Undermined citric-pined Mosaic and Galaxy hop bittering picks up charred pine astringency below black-malted chocolate, coffee and cocoa pungency.
Recurring winter-seasoned strong ale (2015 limited edition with boisterous 10% ABV) lets curacao orange-peeled thyme adjunct delicately affect brown-sugared raisin, fig and plum scrum as well as caramelized mocha malt sweetness. Sharp hop-prickled cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger spicing stays just beneath the surface alongside dark cherry and red grape undertones while random pencil shavings strangely penetrate light burgundy warmth.
Showcasing rare HBC-291 hop variety, approachable medium-bodied India Pale Ale maintains lightly embittered white-peppered citrus spicing as well as soft floral aspect and minor pine resin above biscuit-y rye-toasted bottom. Phenol 8% ABV astringency stays neutral while easygoing lemony grapefruit-orange-pineapple tang lacks emphatic thrust.
Delectable dunkelweizen grafts peat-smoked molasses and dark chocolate to caramel malt sweetness – contrasting earthen dry hops. Subtle prune-date combo dissipates as suppressed tobacco-roasted walnut, cola nut and chestnut dalliance lingers softly.
Profound Mexican dark-roast coffee beans (from local Sturbridge Coffee Roasters) really take charge over black chocolate malts and sharp hop char. Tarry black molasses bittering lingers below sweet ‘n sour java theme.
Dry black patent-malted medium body brings mildly creamed dark chocolate, day-old coffee and dark-roasted nuttiness to the fore as Blackstrap molasses-embittered oily hop char reinforces its perpetual mocha insistence.
Locally popular flagship ale (originally brewed at Paper City) layers mildly creamed wildflower honey sugaring above grassy-hopped lemon and orange tang, but loses momentum by nebulous finish.
In 32-ounce crowler (a.k.a. canned growler), citric-laced rye malting gains immediate tobacco-roasted crisping and light pecan-walnut-chestnut conflux. Mild lemon peel bittering seeps into leafy hop rusticity just below the surface.
Sweet caramel-malted Scotch licks, mild lemony orange tang and prickly hop spicing pick up light phenol acidity for sessionably straightforward moderate-to-medium body. Decent middle of the road fare for less adventurous ale imbibers.
On cask at Brew City Grill, soft-toned dry stout retains bittersweet oats-charred black chocolate theme atop subtle hop char, picking up casual cocoa, vanilla and coffee undertones.
On tap at Poor Henry’s, scrumptious Almond Joy-candied porter spreads shredded coconut milking above cacao nibs sweetness and dark-roasted black chocolate malting. Subsidiary vanilla, caramel, crème brûlée and creme de cocoa notions receive light powdered sugaring. An impeccable coconut-flavored dark ale.
On tap at Dog & Cask, easygoing brown porter needs more pronounced cinnamon spicing and vanilla bean licks to infiltrate molasses-smoked black chocolate base (first used in Happy Buck’n Anniversary Imperial Porter). Dank hop roast dissipates toasted coconut, marshmallow and coffee subsidies.
