On tap at Defiant, zesty chartreuse-hazed New England-styled IPA lets mellow Motueka-hopped lemon-dropped passionfruit and kiwi serenity compete favorably against stylishly fashionable yellow grapefruit, orange peel and pineapple tang. Sedate mineral-watered pilsner, oats and white wheat malting and mild vanilla creaming contrast piney tones beneath spritzy tropical-fruited surface.
CARTON SS YIRGACHEFFE IMPERIAL PALE ALE WITH COFFEE
On tap at Ambulance, cold-brewed Ethiopian coffee integrated with citric lemondrop hops for mellow hybridized pale ale. But nutty java influence fades almost immediately, leaving reluctant lemon twist to carry the moderate-bodied load.
HALF ACRE DAISY CAPRA DOUBLE PALE ALE
On tap at Ambulance, enigmatic pale ale fortifies “grigio-esque” wine profile and advertised raspberry-cantaloupe conflux with resinous shellac varnishing in favorable fashion. White grape midst gains Chardonnay splendor and orange-dried grapefruit tartness as well as teasing mango-papaya-guava tropicalia above dank barley-gristed hop musk. For experimental pale ale palates gone sour.
GIGANTIC THE CITY NEVER SLEEEPS IMPERIAL BLACK SAISON
Best of class. Dewy peat moss seeps into cocoa-dried Bakers chocolate malting and musky dried fruiting in a profound way. Rustic farmhouse yeast provides proper cellar-like mustiness to sweet n’ sour plum, prune, black cherry and burgundy alacrity as well as purple grape esters. Not far removed from a doppelbock with its brown-sugared breading, sweet toffee linger and spiced chocolate dalliance.
OXBOW BLACKLIGHT
On tap at Seven Lakes Station, caliginous saison lets well-watered minerality heighten stylish cellar musk for overriding plum-dried purple grape tartness. Charcoaled hops and barnyard must add mild acridity to parched Bakers chocolate snip. But it’s the wild oats-malted dried fruiting that wins out.
LOGSDON ABSCISSION SAISON
On tap at Ambulance, mixed culture yeast souring brings puckered lemon-candied green grape tartness to the fore. Vinous grape continuance and mild citric acidity scour chaffy wheat spine.
HOBOKEN BODI BLONDE WITH FRESH COCONUT
Summery light-bodied tropicalia needs deeper coconut thrust. Crisp lemon zest awakens mellow toasted coconut influence as mild hop astringency punctuates vanilla-sugared citric surface above frail wheat-corned malting. Teasing lemon meringue, lemon coconut cake and lemon custard illusions flutter.
HOFSTETTEN SAPHIR HELLES BOCK
On tap at Ambulance, decent dry-hopped pale-yellowed moderation needs more pronounced helles bock features. Tropical Saphir hops bring zesty lemon, tangerine and orange tang to the fore, but timid sugared pale malting diminishes. Sweet floral-perfumed citrus spicing eventually contrasted by lightly embittered clover honey astringency.
CARTON CANYON
On tap at Ambulance, spicy Southwestern-styled summertime lager lightly spreads blue agave nectar across “lime-leafed papaya” and lemon-candied sourness. Mild pilsner malting and Noble hop bittering keep this on the light side.
GREY SAIL GREAT KETCH INDIA PALE LAGER
Fetching 3rd anniversary India Pale Lager unites multiple hop variety (Amarillo, Simcoe, Galaxy, Citra, Equinox) with German pale malts. Fluffy white-headed, yellow-hazed moderation renders spicily perfumed citrus zest. Lemon-seeded orange peel and grapefruit rind bittering settles across mild resinous hop earthiness.
FAIR STATE VIENNA LAGER
On tap at Ambulance, stylishly efficient Vienna lager crowds cereal-grained nut breading with dewy peat earthiness, mild caramel spicing, grassy Hallertau hop musk, sour lemon twist and dank fungi must. Busy, but not overwhelmingly so.
PIZZA BOY OLDEN TIMES CREAM ALE
On tap at Growler & Gill, lemony Seltzer-fizzed bantam retains corn-dried cream ale profile as pale malts sugaring and subdued grassy hops merge for simple, sessionable softie. 