Perfectly centrist medium-bodied East Coast IPA contrasts mildly bitter piney hop oiling and lively yellow grapefruit-peeled orange rind vitality against fruit-sugared caramel malt creaming. Brisk mineral-watered crisping brightens the fruited plain, sparking refreshing pineapple, melon, mango, peach and honeydew undertones. Minor pungent earthen musk seeps into floral backdrop. Disturbingly underrated.
On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead, arousing chipotle-peppered smoked porter brings the heat to peat-smoked mocha malting. Dark-roasted chocolate, leathery black coffee and mild vanilla bean sway chipotle influence until it smoothes out over dry hop spicing. Masquerading jalapeno and chili peppering saunters thru ancillary cafe latte sugaring.
On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead, caliginous grain-charred hybrid allows black patent malting and rye-smoked dark chocolate to override setback dried fruiting. Burnt toast acridity, cocoa powder dusting and mild coffee nuttiness reinforce mighty mocha influence.
On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead, sessionable light-medium body spreads perfumed lemon-pitted yellow grapefruit bittering across grassy hopped wood parch. Lime-juiced pineapple, mango, guava and papaya tropicalia deepens citric impact.
On tap at Blue Ribbon Tavern, enthusiastic winter-spiced dark wheat ale (with well-hidden 7.5% ABV) loads bruised banana sweetness atop brown-sugared coriander-cinnamon-clove seasoning and ripe raisin-fig-prune conflux. In the background, a hint of vanilla creaming contrasts sharp hop astringency. In the bottle, caramelized banana-clove entry picks up brown-sugared raisin, fig and cherry niceties alongside rum-spiced toffee malts. Tertiary pecan, nutmeg, vanilla and molasses undertones increase mildly spiced sweetness.
On tap at Blue Ribbon Tavern, English bitter-like amber ale tosses black tea, grainy peat and walnut shells at toasted white breaded spine. Dried fig, date and apricot inundate earthen hop midst. Dry finish is indecisive.
On tap at Blue Ribbon Tavern, bright ‘n lively sessionable India Pale Ale offers sunny lemon-seeded yellow grapefruit tang and brisk orange peel zest to resinous piney hop bittering. Musty floral undertones reinforce summery citrus-sugared illumination.
On tap at Blue Ribbon Tavern, fine medium-bodied IPA offers mildly pined yellow grapefruit thrust and bitter orange rind followup to astringent citra hop pep. Zesty lemon briskness reinforces sedate citric luster. Caramel malt sugaring sweetens tangy navel orange, pineapple, mango and nectar subsidy.
On tap at Copper Mine, unique black-peppered saison loads Indian accents atop black patent malts, winey citric herbage and fern-like pine nut hints for semi-dry medium-full body. French saison yeast brings out spicy cumin, curry and cinnamon accents. Well-hidden 10.2% ABV allows varied flavor profile to fully form.
On tap at Copper Mine, eager Cascadian Dark Ale goes just beyond restrictive stylistic boundaries. Creamy chocolate roast, black patent malting and dusty cocoa acridity offer full-fledged mocha frontage – denying dried fruited expectancy from advancing. Pine nut, spruce tips and sage undertones fit alongside ancillary black grape, pineapple, grapefruit, tangerine and peach nuances. And the charcoal-burnt hop bittering neatly contrasts the spiced-up mocha fruited landscape.
On tap at Copper Mine, off-dry Belgian-styled Imperial IPA’s as interesting as its wildlife-inspired name. Initially, lemony orange-peeled grapefruit bittering crowds the setback piney hop resin and contrasts the sugary caramel malting. Tertiary coconut, banana and marmalade illusions contrast vinous green apple souring. A hint of sweet whiskey emerges.
Ambitious oak-barrel aged dessert treat (with sharp alcohol burn) evenly spreads wintry fruit spices across pumpkin pie sweetness and creamy caramel malting. Cinnamon overrides nutmeg-ginger-cardamom seasoning while cherry-bruised bourbon, sherry and burgundy wining propels oaken vanilla-tinged pumpkin puree finish.