Deep-browned chocolate liqueur-scented stout with dry nutty core perusing soured prune-fig finish retains strong alcohol presence. Sweet brown chocolate enrichment enhanced by anise-spiced raspberry puree tang, but cloying nature sometimes upends maple oatmeal backbone of full-bodied New Englander. Brewery defunct: 2005.
MIDDLESEX BROWN ALE
Deep butterscotch hue, fuzzy tan lace, and burnt caramel creaminess introduce chewy ale. Sugary maple stickiness, pecan-toasted brown chocolate protraction, and latent rum caking addled by astringently soured raisin-fig acridity its phenol tobacco-leafed cocoa butter finish tries to overcome. Brewery defunct: 2005.
(MIDDLE AGES) WIZARD’S WINTER ALE
Truly middling medium body lacks serious seasonal character and wintry flare. Butterscotch touch feels nice, but limited, as earthy citric hops struggle to gain attention and undesired nutty vegetal finish dies down early.
MIDDLE AGES WHITE KNIGHT LIGHT ALE
Though uncannily creamy and cloudy for light golden ale, frail-bodied softie spreads delicate grain bitterness atop moderate sweetness to fading sweet fizz finish.
MIDDLE AGES WAILING WENCH ALE
Expressively daring translucent auburn ale with surfacing cascading tan bubbles leaves brusque roasted hop darkness and chocolate malt trace inside embittered citrus linger as red fruited undercurrent fades to vegetative bottom. Perfumed spicing, dry tobacco inkling, and minor barleywine dawdle fortify piney finish.
MIDDLE AGES TRIPEL CROWN ALE
Perseveringly strong Belgian-styled pale ale retains heavily alcoholic malt sinew and significant cognac-bourbon sweetness furthered by creamy vanilla-butterscotch-caramel luster. Fig-pear combo and apricot esters enliven bruised orange persuasion, but watch for piercing diacetyl impact.
MIDDLE AGES THE DUKE OF WINSHIP
Sweet tobacco nose intrigues thrillingly robust ruby brown Scotch ale. Creamy chocolate kiss richness and caramel-coffee stickiness linger to overripe black cherry juncture. Smoked cedar entices mellow chocolate-liqueured English porter finish subdued by slight diacetyl acerbity.
MIDDLE AGES 10TH ANNIVERSARY ALE
Marvelous 10% alcohol ale commemorates 10th anniversary (1995-2005). Piney hopped rigidity maintains embittered exactitude as bright orange-peach-lemon tang sweetens tart grapefruit undercurrent and perfume-y floral hops. Stable grain bottom reinforces evergreen freshness, lingered orange peel dirge, and increased green apple influence.
(MIDDLE AGES) SYRACUSE PALE ALE
Sweet whiskey aroma pervades highly carbonated, well rounded pale ale perhaps closer to red ale with its hop pop, grain sharpness, and creamy caramel undercurrent. Sour yeast urgency adds depth.
MIDDLE AGES SWALLOW WIT
Revelatory hazy golden Belgian-styled witbier mingles lemony mandarin orange souring with herbaceous mint-eucalyptus piquancy and floral daisy-dandelion-jasmine blush up-front. Musty cherry cove secures fresh mineral-grained water bed.
MIDDLE AGES RASPBERRY ALE
Ripe raspberry rasp juxtaposes soured blueberry-cherry tartness as peppery hops and vegetal earthiness caress wheat spine. Mild tobacco-roasted clover honey sweetness bedecks mild custard finish. Note: quaffed on tap @ Poughkeepsie’s Half Time before brewery bottled for distribution.
MIDDLE AGES KILT TILTER SCOTTISH ALE
A beautiful mellow ale highly recommended. Resounding 9% alcohol thrust provides sweet caramel-burnt Scotch warmth enhancing black chocolate-toffee eruption to rich fig-prune depth. Barley-hop bed secures mocha, praline, and pecan illusions to imperious smooth whiskey finish.