Sharp cinnamon-nutmeg-clove influence hides subtle cold-pressed Madagascar vanilla creaming, sweet caramelized bourbon snip, gingery pumpkin pie crusting and mild orange peel twist, finishing just a tad too phenolic.
ASHTON MIDNIGHT MOONLIGHT MAPLE SYRUP BARREL AGED IMPERIAL STOUT
Richly creamed, mildly frothed, rye whiskey-barreled stout drapes heavy maple syrup upon caramel-burnt black chocolate malting of 10.5% ABV nightcap. Its cascading tan head settles above a bold brown body as fudgy toffee insistence gains momentum alongside less prominent currant, black cherry and black raisin tartness beneath decadent maple molasses-sapped chocolate caking.
ASHTON FRAXINUS BARLEYWINE
Easygoing traditional English barleywine mild for its style. Dewy peat mossing and mild fungi earthiness conceal caramelized fig spicing while delicate Band-aid astringency contrasts chalky chocolate malting.
DESCHUTES BLACK BUTTE XXVII
On tap at Hoover’s Tavern, faintly bourbon-barreled 27th anniversary Imperial Porter promises more than it delivers -lacking dimension and fortitude. Its sweet nutty brown chocolate entry (courtesy of Theo’s cocoa nibs), while pleasant, overwhelms adjunctive pomegranate molasses-soured apricot puree tartness and wavered baking spices.
ANGRY ERIK SHADOW WARRIOR
On tap at River Of Beer, well-integrated Cascadian dark ale loads dark chocolate cocoa powdered bittering onto sweet black grape jammin’ spelled by wood-burnt, charcoal-stained, dark-roast hop char.
STONE 25 ANNIVERSARY TRIPLE IPA
On tap at Kitchen & Beer Bar, overloaded 25th anniversary India Pale Ale blends seven hop varieties and marmalade-fruited expanse into hidden 12.5% ABV boozing. Tangy orange marmalade, peachy apricot jam, salted pineapple, tart lemon meringue, sweet cantaloupe and toasted coconut illusions ride above lightly creamed vanilla-daubed pale malting as dewy compost-wafted earthiness, lightly embittered pine resin and herbal lemongrass-peppercorn snip provide counterpoint.
BURLINGTON BEER IT’S COMPLICATED BEING A WIZARD
On tap at Kitchen & Beer Bar, radiant straw golden glowed NEIPA rings out with zesty lemon-peeled grapefruit, orange and peach zesting as well as tangy mango, nectarine and tangerine sweetness and modest passionfruit, papaya and pineapple tartness above creamy oats-flaked caramelized wheat base. Dank cannabis-soaked piney hop bitterness stays recessive. Well balanced juicy fruited medium body.
SUNKEN SILO ORIGAMI DOJO INDIA PALE ALE
On tap at Hoover’s Tavern, sessionable NEIPA contrasts lemon-seeded yellow grapefruit bittering with zesty orange-peeled tangerine sweetness. Vodka-licked citrus midst picks up ancillary peach, mango and pineapple tang, finishing crisply clean.
MAGNIFY PEACH SUMMER FRIDAYS IPA
On tap at Hoover’s Tavern, vibrant peach tang buttressed by light pine lacquer contrasting sugary pale malting. Sweet peach entry gains lemony grapefruit-orange-mango zesting for bright summery medium body.
BRIX CITY HOLD THE FRUIT DOUBLE IPA
On tap at Taphouse 15, brisk yellow grapefruit tang overrides piquant pink guava, passionfruit and pineapple tartness plus tertiary cantaloupe-tangerine-clementine wisps as mineral water crisping provides clean setting for moderate-medium body. Spritzy citrus thrust gains light pine resining.
BRIX CITY GET PITTED DOUBLE IPA WITH PEACHES
Juicy peach puree tang enjoins sweet orange-peeled lemon lime zesting, brisk grapefruit bittering and lacquered pine sway above lactose Madagascar vanilla beaned malt pasting. Vodka-pinched citrus sway lingers alongside ripe peach-apricot bluster for enthusiastic IPA.
GRIMM LAMBO DOOR DOUBLE IPA
Zesty lemon-bruised grapefruit tang and auxiliary crayon-waxed tangerine, clementine and mandarin orange licks receive grassy pine-toned bittering and musky herbal salting for amiable Citra-Simcoe-El Dorado-hopped Imperial IPA.