Nasty contract brewed version is completely indistinguishable and cheaply mass-produced. Nominal pumpkin spicing lost amongst carbolic phenol spicing and dreary candied malting. The worst updated recipe since Blue Point Toasted Lager. Useless.
Elegantly detailed limited edition 150th anniversary celebrator proves to be as uniquely ambitious as brewers’ three year-round offerings. Based on Chimay Tripel (white label), its champagne-sparkled fruity bouquet sashays around an herbaceous pink peppercorn and lemongrass cluster. White grape, green apple, banana, pineapple, orange, mango and melon illusions receive tingly lemon-limed bittering that contrasts Chardonnay-buttered honey mead or cotton-candied marshmallow nuances. Black-peppered basil-thyme conflux registers below advertised orange-peeled coriander influence.
On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead, transient 2012 limited edition black ale (with amber highlights) drapes soft-toned mocha malting atop tart orange spicing, earthen pine resin and soft peach-pear fruiting. Black-breaded dark chocolate finish seems a bit murky.
On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead, somewhat unassuming hybridized amber ale attaches wet Citra-hopped fruiting to musky lemon murk, leafy earthen graining and dried floral nuances. Slim mango-pineapple remnant and minor herbal tinge round out 2012 limited edition medium body.
Rambunctious pumpkin pie spicing prevails for limited edition autumnal medium body in eye-catching orange bottle. Brown-sugared cinnamon, gingerbread, nutmeg and allspice nuances partially relinquished by sweet potato pie vibe. Vegetal gourd, squash, yam and zucchini astringency rides shotgun.
Enjoyable dry Irish Stout brings unanticipated dark floral peculiarity and spicy perfumed backend to soft soy-sauced dark chocolate creaming. Subtle oyster-shelled brininess affects baking chocolate powdering, blackened grain minerality and bittersweet cocoa beaning. Light cola, hazelnut and macadamia nuttiness hangs in the balance.
Crisply sessionable clear-yellowed light body layers salted lemon zesting atop buttered Italian breading grazing soft barley-maize-rice bed. Brisk carbolic nature from spritzy citrus spicing gains gentle herbal hop musk.
Precarious tart raspberry entry fades as shrill hop coarsening and washed-out soapiness outdo ancillary cranberry, cherry, strawberry and green grape souring to blandly astringent fruit finish.
