Sunny grapefruit tang leads the way for spicy floral-perfumed Mosaic hop tropicalia. Orange-bruised pineapple, nectarine, honydew, papaya and kiwi sweetness contrasts moderate piney bittering and weedy earthen resin. Syrupy spruce sugaring adds residual sweetening to rye-honeyed caramel malt base.
Mildly creamed crystal-malted rye spicing and piney grapefruit thrust “pave the way” for stylishly centrist medium body. Dry-hopped Mosaic and Amarillo hop bittering contrasts sugar-spiced navel orange, mango, red cherry, peach and tangerine tang over toned-down rye wheat influence.
First released February 2014, easygoing moderation blends citric hop crisping with caramel-honeyed barley malting and modest floral spicing. Dried grass astringency lightly embitters yellow grapefruit, navel orange and pineapple tang. Well done but not quite essential in crowded IPA field.
Delicately refined farmhouse ale with tangy Cascade-hopped tropical fruiting and ‘herbal highlights’ reaches ‘rustic dry finish.’ Earthen musk desiccates mineral-grained saison yeast tartness as zesty lemon briskness and muted orange-peeled pineapple sweetness rise above malted barley-oats base. Soft white-peppered coriander spicing and herbal lemongrass-peppercorn-basil-thyme conflux penetrate the surface as well.
Well-balanced Belgian farmhouse ale in 11.2-ounce can brings spicy candi-sugared yeast sweetness and floral-perfumed fruiting to herbal lemon souring, dry white-peppered respite and straw-grassed barnyard acridity. Tangy orange, peach, apple and tangerine tones pick up tart banana-clove whim. Emblematic citric-spiced flavor profile retains enduring sourdough malt richness its American competitors sometimes lack.
On tap at Eddie’s Roadhouse, soft-toned witbier benefits from elegant lemony passionfruit tartness of exotic liliko’i tropicalia. Dry lemon-limed grapefruit tang gains brisk limestoned citric pucker. Mildly creamed crystal malting provides latent white-sugared contrast. Tertiary pineapple, peach, papaya, grains of paradise and mango undertones tingle the sleek citric-hopped bittering. In the can, “spices and passionfruit” bring ‘tropical island flare’ to lemon-juiced mandarin orange, tangerine and gooseberry illusions.
Perplexingly newfangled smoked saison brings sour brettanomyces leathering to oak-seared Band-aid astringency and lemony cider-sharpened oaken cherry tartness. Light lemon vinaigrette acidity and recessive lemongrass tinge reinforce lactic souring.
Truly decadent barleywine (11.5% ABV) blends Buffalo Trace and kiln-bricked Willett bourbon barrel aging, comparing favorably to Jackie O’s less silken smooth, yet still excellent, Woodford-aged Wood Ya Honey. Sweet bourbon chocolate creaming proves resilient while compact dried fruiting and maple molasses syruping gain prominence at the heavily caramelized butterscotch midst. Black cherry-pureed raisin, plum and prune illusions sit alongside coconut-toasted almond, praline, pecan and chestnut pleasantries. Vanilla, marshmallow and cotton candy undertones further sweeten the distinct bourbon .
Charismatic wheat wine aged in Woodford Reserve bourbon barrels (12% ABV) loads chewy butterscotch-candied caramel malt creaming and sugary dried fruiting atop honeyed wheat spine. Woodford bourbon deepens oaken vanilla, maple molasses, spiced rum and sticky anise overtones. Rich fruity center gathers bruised cherry, pureed raisin, stewed prune and sugared fig sweetness while tertiary pineapple, peach, navel orange, nectarine, cantaloupe, red grape and banana licks penetrate the surface afterwards.
Outstanding 4th anniversary (2015) barleywine, aged in cognac, abounds with velvety brandy-wined candi sugar and rum-spiced mocha fruiting. Chocolate-covered cherry center sweetens creamy cognac essence as well as honeyed vanilla caking and maple-sapped molasses syruping. Subsidiary bruised cherry, syrupy peach, brown banana, nectarine and apricot illusions deepen its enduring complexities.
On tap at Ambulance, magnificent ‘third version’ ups the bourbon-barrel aging by winningly mixing ’14 vintage with newer batch. Resilient bourbon chocolate spicing, sugary vanilla creaming and sweet cocoa dalliance pickup thriving rye-toasted pecan adjunct. Chocolate brownie, butterscotch rum, toffee fudge and molasses cookie illusions gain strength. Whiskey-soaked raisin and cherry wisps glimmer behind velvety bourbon finish.
On tap at Ambulance, creamy dark-roasted black patent malting guards bittersweet black coffee and dark chocolate tones. Delicate peat-smoked soiling, charred hop astringency and wispy soy saucing underlie nut-singed mocha finish.
