Dry-hopped fermentation gives this subtle ale a frisky front end. Creamy malts meld with slight honey sweetness for soft, effective middle of the road delight. Brewery defunct: 2008.
NEW AMSTERDAM INDIA PALE ALE
Fresh citrus aroma, soft barleymalt sweetness, and light agave hint bump into blustery hop fizz. Rich brownish-orange hue seems out of place for such an indistinct watery IPA. However, served on tap, it gains luster, resonation, and a higher rating. Brewery defunct: 2008.
NEW AMSTERDAM INDIA DARK ALE
Strong smoked chocolate presence, mocha porter thickness, and dark coffee aroma immediately noticed. Syrupy residue provides creamy malt whiskey sensation. Roasted barley base gives way to prune-plum notes and nut-tinged complacency. Well crafted (with six malts and three varieties of hops) and quite heady as a rewarding after dinner drink. Improbably darker, richer and better than New Amsterdam Black & Tan.
NEW AMSTERDAM CAMPAIGN ALE
Whether you’re Democrat or Republican, this Election ’96 ale will satisfy growing tastes of young voters. Typical moderately bitter New Amsterdam ‘Ale’ taste leads us to believe they just slapped a different label on it for the presidential election. Lingering grain aftertaste gives it a bit of a kick. Brewery defunct: 2008.
NEUZELLER KLOSTER-BRAU GOLDEN ABBOT LAGER
Don’t let inconspicuous pale tone of enchanting golden amber-hued lager (a.k.a. Closter Zell) trick you into thinking it’s weak one-dimensional fodder. Easy flowing malt whiskey sweetness and candy-coated yeast caress pick up dark fruit nuances by serene wheat finish.
NEUZELLER KLOSTER-BRAU BLACK ABBOT LAGER
Festive brown-bodied tan-headed dark lager retains emphatic roasted chocolate sweetness as infectious butterscotch creaminess, powdered cocoa suggestion, and tobacco leaf illusion deepen Scotch malt proclivity. Smoked wood sedation intensifies thick brown-sugared black molasses resilience to sticky hard-candied finish for slow sipping dessert treat.
NEUZELLER KLOSTER-BRAU BATHBEER
Deep brown-hued, medium-bodied German dark lager with cocoa-smoked coffee-burnt entry and thick tobacco imprint settles for extremely parched plum tranquility. Soft ashen malt finish fits moderate template, knocking back tertiary powdered chocolate dryness effectively.
NEUSCHWANSTEINER HELLES LAGER
Fresh cut wheat straw mouthfeel underscored by pale Vienna malt sweetness, delicate yeast serenity, and flaked oat pliancy. Light-bodied salted butter pleasantry will addict soft lager fans.
(NETHERGATE) OLD GROWLER PORTER
Bubbly beige-headed mahogany porter with aromatic mocha sweetness thickening liqueur-like malt creaminess reminiscent of Black Russian or Kahlua. Rich chocolate roast embraces dried-fruited caramelized barley resolve to sour mash finish. Strong, sometimes spicy, yet soft and buttery. A chewy winter full body.
NETHERGATE AUGUSTINIAN ALE
Pour slowly honey-glowed, flesh-headed, bottle conditioned, peach-sweetened ale, allowing five minutes to properly aerate (or risk overt foam reaction). Expressive apricot-orange-grapefruit juiciness gains coriander-ginger insistence as vivacious ambrosia-dandelion-rosebud-spearmint-sandalwood allure saturates embittered hops. Grassy wheat fringe underscores protracted off-dry spicing. Fine as tangy fruit dessert alternative.
NEPTUNE 66 PREMIUM ALE
Nearly everything you’d ever want in a red ale. Sinewy yeast sediment embellishes mild hop-fizzed fruitiness and sweet mocha malts for mellow flow. Savory pale-fruited finish lingers on the tongue as hints of nectar and pear brighten the corners. Brewery defunct: 2001.
NEPTUNE RED SEA BERRY ALE
Reddish brown-hued ale with solid-bodied grain-deepened berry persistence and bustling carbonation feels processed. Refreshing but not nearly as rich as originally anticipated from pungent fruit whiff. Brewery defunct: 2001.