Pleasant light-bodied amber-yellowed pale lager lacks body and depth. Crisp citric-hopped pep and sharp lemony seltzer fizzing counter spicy Belgian-styled yeast funk. Carbolic overload disguises apricot-dried crystal malting, biscuit-y barley-hopped pungency, and vegetal tinge to faltering toasted white bread spine, finishing watery and indecisive.
Category Archives: Beers A-Z
FIRESTONE DOUBLE JACK DOUBLE INDIA PALE ALE
Nearly quintessential hop-heads delight efficiently contrasts juicy tropical fruiting and creamy crystal-caramel malting with prickly pine-hopped bittering to brutish ethanol-like 9.5% alcohol burn of bold gold-hazed medium body. Eye-squinting grapefruit-peeled tartness sweetens to tangy nectarine-pineapple-orange-tangerine-apricot-peach-mango-kiwi medley tagging candi-sugared molasses midst underscored by floral cologne-spiced hibiscus-lotus bouquet.
SLY FOX CHESTER COUNTY BITTER
Soft eggshell-headed golden-hazed bitter, done in cask-only British firkin style, layers balmy citric herbs above bark-dried rye breading and fungi-like yeast residue. Meringue-creamed crystal malting contrasts lemon-peeled orange rind, grapefruit, and juniper bittering as well as leathery black tea and chamomile undertones. A bit thin.
(RUCKUS) HOPTIMUS PRIME DOUBLE INDIA PALE ALE
Superb hop-bitten fruit cocktail originally crafted by defunct Legacy Brewery returns to glory in 2011. Well-balanced IPA counters piney juniper thrust with lemon-curried peach, pineapple, pear, nectarine, and cantaloupe fruiting to sweet-malted honeyed wheat bed. Herbaceous undertones awaken grassy hay, alfalfa, and whey sway. Orange marmalade, ambrosia, and fennel add tertiary pleasantries. A distinguished treasure thankfully rescued from Pennsylvania dustbins.
RAMSTEIN IMPERIAL PILSNER
On tap, robust saffron-hazed German pilsner with great head retention clusters creamy crystal malting with intensified yellow fruiting. Sharp floral hop spicing invigorates crisp lemony grapefruit tartness to biscuit-y wheat spine. Dry horse-blanketed hay, alfalfa, and whey scratch surface as parched wood snip increases. Perfect on its own or to complement meat and fish.
FLYING FISH EXIT 6 WALLONIAN RYE BELGIAN-STYLE ALE
Admirable Belgian yeast-driven, American dry-hopped, strong pale ale (circa 2011). Bitter orange-peeled lemon-seeded moderation and crisp white-peppered coriander-spiced floral hops contrast candi-sugared apple-candied peach, melon, and honeydew sweetness above polite rye malting. Ascending curacao orange, clementine, and orange marmalade illusions deepen pureed raspberry pungency. Teensy herbal nuance backends refined adjunct ale.
OMMEGANG GNOMEGANG BLONDE ALE
On tap at Andy’s Corner Bar, detailed saffron-glowed Belgian strong ale brings yellow-fruited goodness to creamy honeyed malting and gin-soaked ethanol astringency. Convincing lemony orange-peeled banana bubblegum entry given white-peppered coriander-clove spicing, candi-sugared apricot-pineapple-pear contingency, and faded floral whimsy. ’16 bottled version: candied lemon tang picks up brisk orange twist, light floral herbage and sweet banana-clove-coriander respite.
SIERRA NEVADA OVILA DUBBEL
In 1-pint 9-ounce bottle, ambitious collaboration between Sierra Nevada and the monks at New Clairaux Abbey layers Belgian chocolate-spiced caramel malts above black-peppered purple and red grape esters to musty basement-like yeast funk. Brown-sugared clove spicing trickles into ancillary fruitcake, raisin and prune illusions. On tap at Andy’s Corner Bar, sharp dried-fruited copper-toned Belgian-styled dubbel retained creamy brown-sugared dark-spiced tingle. Tannic grape skins cushion fig, raisin, and cherry fruiting. Recessive banana-clove sweetness contrasts peppery hop sop.
WEYERBACHER VERBOTEN
On tap, moderate-bodied Belgian-style pale ale (formerly known as Zotten) retains lemony grapefruit theme above peppery Cascade-Centennial hop spritz, herbal tea meditation, and reclining rosemary-thyme spicing. Honeyed malt sweetness caresses hard-candied peach, pineapple, and banana subsidy.
FULL SAIL BUMP IN THE NIGHT CASCADIAN DARK ALE
Wintry ruby-browned dry-bodied Black IPA (circa 2011) lacks distinct flavor profile and emphatic up-front thrust of similarly styled ‘Cascadian’ suds newly marketed across America. Ashy resinous earthiness may be the culprit, overriding piney-hopped grapefruit-peeled juniper bittering, tenuous rye-breaded barley roast, relegated fig-spiced date-prune swoon, and latent cola-walnut wisp. Reluctant dark-malted powdered cocoa murkiness and slick coffee-burnt waver lurk beneath.
(FIRESTONE) WALKER’S RESERVE PORTER
Stylistically lighter than expected. Distant dark-roasted peanut-shelled walnut, macadamia, and Brazil nut sharpness depletes dark-sugared oats-flaked caramelized toffee sweetness. Soapy molasses-draped cocoa-chalked coffee grounds reside below overestimated, but not insubstantial, wood-conditioned dry-bodied smoothie. On second passing, soft rye-breaded mochaccino-cappuccino creaming picks up wet-papered oats toasting, sweet hazelnut drift, and oyster-shelled crustacean nuance.
SOUTHERN TIER 422 PALE WHEAT ALE
Mild dry-bodied golden-hazed Earth Day tributary needs better malt-hop profile to be suitable summer session stash. Tingly orange-dried lemon zest softens sugar-candied pale malting, earthen mineral graining and wispy floral-hopped bittering to muted honeyed wheat finish. A somewhat trifling unfiltered ale.