Short-lived purple hazy stout lager retains powdery chocolate sweetness as roasted overtones and maple sap thicken sugary molasses finish. Unobtrusive hop bitterness firmly anchors creamy coffee-laden resolve.
SARANAC GOLDEN PILSNER
Wheat-based pilsner lacks punch. Mild fruity hop essence initially half-pleasant, but not nearly as distinct and firm as it should be.
SARANAC E.S.B.
Parched caramelized malts lie atop bitter hop canopy darkened by dry floral spicing and miniscule tart fruiting. But clean mountain water consistency can’t save phenol finish from diluted astringency.
SARANAC CHOCOLATE AMBER
From the beautiful Adirondack Springs comes this slowly aged cold winter refresher. Aromatic chocolate malts and smoked grains obstructed by deflective carbolic fizz blocking full-bodied nature. Bet it’s a 4 star winner on tap since bottled versions of Saranac ales lose more character (especially maple and yeast) than most other brews.
SARANAC CARAMEL PORTER
Nearly as robust as label indicates, creamy porter features dark caramel, toffee, and overripe cherry notes atop roasted barleymalts. Shades of mocha bitterness seep through chocolate-maple-brown sugar sweetness as toasted hops accentuate lively bittersweet finish. Try in lieu of Sugar Daddy candy bar.
SARANAC BLACK FOREST BAVARIAN SCHWARZBIER
Sweet-scented creamy-headed tawny Bavarian knockoff brings spiced-hop bittering to acrid lemon zest. Dirty grain finish disintegrates caramel malt underling and distant maple illusion. Decent choice for novices ready to appreciate gentle German-styled brew, but too inefficient for the rest.
SARANAC BLACK DIAMOND BOCK
Lackluster amber-hued moderate-bodied dark lager with ambiguous bock traits allows solvent phenol hops to detract dryly washed-out cocoa-molasses backslide, refracted brown-sugared fig-plum sedation, and lemon-tinged moldy orange souring. Resinous chocolate-covered hazelnut-pecan astringency gets cardboard-y.
SARANAC BLACK & TAN
Creamy Irish Stout/ German-style amber lager mixture receives wood-singed toasted hop deepness to complement black molasses sappiness. Receding cola finish allows toffee and almond notes to penetrate roasted barley seam.
SARANAC BELGIAN WHITE ALE
Weak pale-clouded sunshine-hued off-dry Belgian-style derivative picks up early bubblegum scent and tart grapefruit-orange peel souring. But as tangy lemon bitterness fades, unripe banana invades blunt perfumed hop thrust, sweet clove lag and bread-crusted edge, becoming thin, watery, then metallic. 2011 re-tasting: carbolic Seltzer watering precludes candi-sugared lemony spritz, orange-dried coriander-ginger spicing and herbal tinge.
SARANAC ADIRONDACK LIGHT PILSNER
Musty-scented, fizzy, flat, and watery, but less predictable than chemically processed ‘light’ crap. Meager lime-y citrus notes perk up otherwise glum finish.
SARANAC ADIRONDACK AMBER
Easy drinkin’ ale lacks distinction. Light grain-roasted pale malting receives minor hop spiced fruiting. Unexpected holiday ale seasoning persists.
SARAH HUGHES DARK RUBY ALE
Mild maroon-hued bitter with unique dry red wine essence. Purple grape esters recede to bittersweet black cherry tartness lightened by sour chocolate wisp, crystalline watering, and flat carbonation. Mild dirt-grained grid is only so-so.