Robust mahogany dry stout retains black coffee bitterness, thick creamy froth, and sourly tannic white grape-black cherry pucker. Parched filbert-Brazilian nut continuance, milky black chocolate auxiliary, and chalky mocha snip pick up coarse charcoal-tarred tobacco chaw nuances as everlasting espresso aftertaste begs further imbibing of full-bodied delight.
MC NEILL’S IMPERIAL STOUT
Sticky dry-bodied jet black bitter brings pervasive coffee theme to creamy lactose center. Slithery grapefruit, black currant, and oaken cherry cloister espresso-burnt cocoa bean souring draping resinous pine-tarred chewing tobacco pungency. Perfect strong sipper for stouthearted heavyweights.
MC NEILL’S FIREHOUSE AMBER ALE
Rustic 1908 Brattleboro firehouse displayed on label of rich coppery amber celebrates neighboring station. Expressive pine needled spruce setting initially heightens sharp hop toasting and nutty bitterness countering sweet malt serenade. Medicinal alcohol luster hammers home charcoal-black tar influence at red-fruited finish; bottom yeast sediment adds mild viscosity.
MC NEILL’S EXTERMINATOR DOPPELBOCK
Easily one of greatest American brewpubs, Mc Neill’s generic labeled ruddy-browned full-bodied seasonal bock offers laid-back ice coffee flow soured thusly by orange-bruised prune-dried green raisin scour and vinous grape tannic tartness before settling into dry port finish. Ashen peat bottom collapses.
MC NEILL’S DUCK’S BREATH ALE
Sedately mild English Bitter needs firmer bruised lemon souring and more vigorous floral hop bittering. Dry earthen vegetal hint and sweet tobacco stint bring scant compensation.
MC NEILL’S DEAD HORSE INDIA PALE ALE
Obliging headless amber counters fruited red ale frontage with bitter spiced hop finish. Sharply silken grapefruit-juiced pear-apple-tangerine tang invades caramel candied midst. Leafy earthen sway and vegetal mushroom nick consume backend.
MC NEILL’S CHAMP ALE
Hazy golden mainstream fodder integrates peachy clementine-tangerine juiciness with hop-embittered grapefruit rind sedation. But murky vegetal earthiness, trifling spiciness, and tinny finish negate early gains.
MC NEILL’S ALLE TAGE ALTBIER
Uncompromising German-styled brown ale with deep pruned amber tone matching spice-hopped winter appeal with receptive chocolate-mocha overture. Protruding spruce-tipped wild berry and soured tangerine signifiers embitter sun-dried raisin finish reminiscent of lighter barleywine.
MC MULLEN’S OATMEAL ALE
Merely duplicating other British brewers’ weaker attempts, bland ale lacks distinct oatmeal persistence, and strangely, could be better defined as a dark lager thanks to fizzy hop bitterness tucking away cracked barley sweetness and slackened mocha-chocolate influence. Rich toasted graining saves this from complete mediocrity.
MC MULLEN’S ANNIVERSARY PORTER
Thick blackened malts (amber, chocolate, pale, and crystal) combine with generous hop fusion and dirty grain bracket for unusual non-traditional porter appeal. Differs from competition since coffee-mocha exchange resides in backdrop instead of dominating, but paltry roasted finish needs better distinction.
MC MULLEN’S AK ORIGINAL BITTER
Sharply carbonated traditional English ale juxtaposes bitter hops with creamy caramel and sweet whiskey. Mild barley-wheat finish loses spunk to tinny aftertaste.
MC EWAN’S SCOTCH ALE
Top notch 8% alcohol-fueled russet Scotch ale with soft eggshell head connects dried raisin and sour prune to extremely addicting honeyed butterscotch sweetness. Fluctuating black cherry-burgundy hints strengthen chewy yeast resin of creamy slow sipper, gaining piney, floral, and cola nut accents at supple finish. Perfect for dessert.