Run of the mill light lager forges lemony dryness atop peppery hops and smoky nuance ruined by slick cloy finish and despicable metallic/chemical aftertaste. Doubtlessly better in tapped version.
Category Archives: Beers A-Z
(TRAVERSE) OLD MISSION LIGHTHOUSE ALE
Straw-hazed pale ale finds tart grapefruit-lemon rind essence gliding above daintily soured orange peel mist befitting acrid citric finish. But earthen mineral-grained mustiness and herbal lemongrass continuance come up lame hemming frail straw wheat backdrop.
TROEGS RUGGED TRAIL NUT BROWN ALE
Ruggedly coarse ruby-marooned tan-headed English-styled full body pushes milk chocolate-y hazelnut sugaring above roasted barley-hop clip, tenuous coffee ground slip, and coarse walnut snip. Dry cocoa finish picks up meager cola nut, tea leaf, and peat illusions.
TROUT RIVER SCOTTISH ALE
Peculiar Scot-styled ale finds early charred wood affluence and Scotch malt waver seized by dull port wining. By thin finish, muted raisin-fig dip gives way to acrid orange-tangerine blotch and spicy cardamom splotch. On second passing, erratic fruited whiskey coarsening and sharp prune-fig pungency undermine musty peat earthiness.
(TUNNER’S) BARBARY COAST GOLD RUSH STYLE PILSNER
Iceless fermentation creates tamped down hop dryness above sour vegetative pungency and unwelcome tinniness. Sweet rye malt blandness and ester-y cherry-grape subsidy cannot overcome indistinguishable oeuvre.
(TWO BROTHERS) BARE TREE WEISS VINTAGE 2000
Luxurious barleywine entry given delicate floral hop bittering to form initial thrust of fabulous turbidly copper-hued ultra ‘weiss.’ Creamy vanilla-butterscotch splurge gets clove-coriander accent and distant raisin-fig-date splotch mid-palate. At illustrious finish, pear, nectar, and banana offer benevolent fructose rush. Well done!
TYSKIE PORTER
Strong dark Polish porter aids sweet barleywine lead-in with favorable oncoming brown chocolate creaminess and thick maple syrup richness for truly original full-bodied peculiarity.
UNIBROUE EDITION 2004 ALE
Complex coppery annual ale counters lively fruited hop frontage with herbal white-peppered ginger-clove-eucalyptus respite and leathery grape tannin dryness. Swirled peach-orange-grapefruit-berry medley stimulates piney menthol freshness.
UNIBROUE 10
Special 10th anniversary ‘grand cuvee’ typifies Unibroue’s more uniquely styled brews which are truly in a league of their own. Compares favorably to Belgian white ales with its wheat wine essence, zesty orange wisp, and carbolic hop-spiced clove seasoning. Unexpected cinnamon-nutmeg backdrop adds pleasant holiday spirit. Still, more fluffy than creamy, hurting its persistence.
UPPER CANADA PALE ALE
Brisk roasted barley template receives creamy malt richness, absorbing well-hopped soda-like fizz of highly carbolic moderate body. Mild fruitiness sweetens polite grain finish. Serve to pilsner fans as an alternative.
(VANDENBOSSCHE) PATER LIEVEN TRIPEL ABBEY ALE
Incisive honeyed orange-nectarine-coriander melange enhances minor plum souring and cotton-candied coughdrop sweetness of gooey sediment-filled amber-hazed moderate body. Buttery effervescence penetrates impending fresh cut chaffed wheat and permissive clove-ginger-peppercorn seasoning, but disparaging dirty grain earthiness and watery fizz-hopped finish nullify up-front medicinal promise.
VICTORY DONNYBROOK STOUT
Thick ebony-hued full body offers adequate black coffee bittering and dark chocolate creaminess. Nutty bottom sharpens woodsy hop char.