Bottled by nearby Olde Saratoga Brewery, sunny yellow pils celebrating ’03 Triple Crown hopeful, Funnycide, matches sourdough snippet with husked wheat dryness and dim caramel sweetness, losing limited citric hop nuance to unleavened bread boredom.
RUFFIAN STOUT
Hop-fizzed persistence unexpectedly exceeds mocha proclivity, but sharp grain presence adds enough vigor to assure full-bodied finish, if not prolonged aftertaste. Brewery defunct: 2001.
RUFFIAN RASPBERRY WHEAT ALE
Somewhat unique pinkish wheat ale with dank raspberry essence and effervescent aromatic spices pervading dry floral cranberry-apple tartness. A great crossover ale suited to non-traditional beer drinkers. Brewery defunct: 2001.
RUFFIAN PORTER
This moderate porter doesn’t hit you over the head with chocolate and coffee overtones, just a few well chosen malted grains, simple ingredients that combine for soft-toned irresistibility. Brewery defunct: 2001.
RUFFIAN PALE ALE
Buttery, smooth, but unassertive. Sharp carbonation lingers softly but lack of distinct fruited malt personality weakens effectiveness. Brewery defunct: 2001.
RUFFIAN COPPER ALE
Heady alcohol-burnt copper ale blends fine European malts, sweet yeast, and brisk hops into creamy caramel center. More delicate than robust brown ales but heavier than most pale ales. Brewery defunct: 2001.
RUFFIAN CHRISTMAS ALE
Definite nutmeg influence just right for Christmas. Spicy sienna-hued peculiarity features well-balanced orange peel overtones, dried fruit tartness, and cinnamon-clove seasoning. Rich barley base takes in minor citrus-y notes. Fully realized Holiday Ale perfect for dessert. Brewery defunct: 2001.
RUDDLES COUNTY PREMIUM ALE
Packaged to grip as a hand grenade, Ruddles’ flat-topped wide-mouth bottle is truly unique. Rich sienna-hued ale given proper English-styled hop bitterness, hitching emphatic smoked wood chips to heavy malt extract and dank grain must. Canned version picks up metallic twang.
RUDDLES COUNTY ENGLISH ALE
Smooth bronze-hazed English bitter offers winsome caramel malting, sweet barley-roasted thaw, buttered pecan respite, and moderate hop bitterness to crystalline clean-watered finish. Robust head never falters.
(ELDRIDGE POPE) ROYAL OAK PALE ALE
Original brew (now re-created worse by O’Hanlon’s) tosses an aromatic chocolate liqueur punch into the creamy mocha center, where correlative fruitcake jab reaches temperate brandy finish. Sly hop bitterness picks up nutmeg-berry riptide, sprucing up the corners for unique pale ale with abundant character.
ROYAL DUFFER GOLF SOCIETY PREMIUM LAGER
Toasted hops and moderate barleymalts combine for lager-like appeal. Orange rind and nectar add dimension to lingered bitter-grained finish. A reliable session beer.
(ROUND TABLE) KNIGHTS HEAD WHITE ALE
Candied yeast sweetens orange-fruited vanilla entry, zesty lemon-orange surge and clove-coriander-spiced banana merge. Mild dry-hopped bittering counters oncoming butterscotch splotch.