SEAN’S BAR & KITCHEN

November 18, 2024BEER PUBMANHATTAN NY, SEAN'S BAR & KITCHENJohn Fortunato

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK

In the heart of Manhattan within walking distance to Broadway shows and Rockefeller Center, SEAN’S BAR & RESTAURANT opened during September 2016. Offering fine pub cuisine alongside 54 rotating draughts beers and a large booze selection, Sean’s quickly gained an audience with local beer and spirits goblins.

Sean’s long marble top bar features 3 large TV’s for sportsbar enthusiasts and across the way is right side dining. The resilient tile floor, olden wood furnishings and beer paraphernalia secure the black art deco walled NYC pub.

Though Sean’s does not brew on premise, there were five reliably conservative proprietary beers on hand during my October ’24 visit prior to hitting fabulous Broadway show, Hadestown.

Dry pilsner malt graining surfaced near hay-like barnyard astringency and lemony licks of Sean’s Pils, light-bodied German fodder.

Crisp pale wheat-malted Sean’s Lager brought mild IPA-like citrus bittering to the fore.

Dried red and orange fruiting laced Sean’s Irish Red, a standard amber grained moderation with phenol hops.

Summery Sean’s Golden Wheat allowed white wheat breading to reach yellow fruited sunshine in a lightly creamed froth.

Dark chocolate and maple molasses posted gains for milky sweet Sean’s Porter, a casually nutty medium body.

FIRESTONE WALKER NO ENDS, ONLY BEGINNINGS BARREL AGED IMPERIAL STOUT (2022)

November 18, 2024Beers A-Zbourbon stout, FIRESTONE WALKERJohn Fortunato

On tap at Taphouse 15, semi-sweet dark chocolate base given oak charred bourbon vanilla influence as ancillary black cherry, fig, raisin and plum illusions and distant molasses-draped creme brulee sweetness gather ’round humble ‘bourbonized’ burgundy, sherry and brandy wining.

8 WIRED RENDITION OF THE DEVIL GOLDEN STRONG ALE

November 18, 2024Beers A-Z8 WIRED, Belgian pale ale, strong aleJohn Fortunato

Wonderful New Zealand-crafted Belgian strong blonde ale lets spritzy lemon sparkle prickle rum-spiced banana sweetness, botanical orange musk and buttery Chardonnay wining as fungi yeast herbage spreads thru vanilla creamed ginger, clove and coriander spicing above honeyed pilsner malt base. Dainty on the tongue yet understatedly intense. 2025 re-tasting added floral-daubed lemondrop tartness to the busy mix. A perfect Belgian styled rendition from Down Under.

PIPEWORKS DOUBLE VANILLA PHANTOM UNICORN BARREL AGED IMPERIAL STOUT

November 18, 2024Beers A-Zbourbon stout, PIPEWORKS BREWINGJohn Fortunato

On tap at Taphouse 15, silken barrel-aged Elijah Craig bourbon influence soaks up Madagascar vanilla adjunct as syrupy black chocolate penetrates the surface. Dainty cumin-cinnamon spicing adds wintry edge while distant black cherry/ black grape tartness sneaks thru the backend of chocolatey vanilla bourbon nightcap.

PRAIRIE INDULGE ME BOURBON AGED IMPERIAL STOUT (2023)

November 18, 2024Beers A-Zbourbon stout, PRAIRIE ARTISAN ALESJohn Fortunato

On tap at Taphouse 15, sweet bourbon indulgence soaks into creamy fudged brownie sweetness as toasted coconut, chocolate chip and floury cake mix adjuncts engage deluxe confectionery stout. Below the surface, black cherry, bruised banana, stewed prune, oaken vanilla and whiskey illusions serenade lovely bourbon mocha theme.

MUTANT THE WIFI HERE SUCKS STOUT

November 18, 2024Beers A-Zmilk stout, MUTANT BREWINGJohn Fortunato

In the can, fudgy white chocolate and maple-sapped macadamia cookie adjuncts allow ancillary espresso-milked cocoa beaning and chunky chocolate chip confection to receive light soy-sauced hop char bristle.

SOUTHERN TIER PEANUT BUTTER CUP IMPERIAL STOUT

November 18, 2024Beers A-Zpeanut butter stout, SOUTHERN TIERJohn Fortunato

On tap at Hoovers Tavern, lightly creamed peanut buttering fades into milk-sugared dark chocolate syrup in disjointed mix. Novel peanut butter frontage given wobbly vanilla chocolate residue as wispy burgundy, brandy and black grape illusions gravitate above misplaced honeyed Graham Cracker base.

BENNY WHERE’S MY BIRTHDAY CAKE IMPERIAL STOUT

November 18, 2024Beers A-ZBENNY BREWING COMPANY, imperial stoutJohn Fortunato

On tap at Backyard Ale House – Scranton, fudgy bourbonized chocolate birthday cake lets dark chocolate syrup drape buttery coconut, almond and hazelnut incentive as honeyed Graham Cracker sweetens thick mocha nuttiness and creamy vanilla reminder.

AQUATIC WOODS HOLE STOUT

November 18, 2024Beers A-ZAQUATIC BREWING, oatmeal stoutJohn Fortunato

Creamy tan-headed, obsidian-bodied oatmeal stout lets dryly debittered black malts scurry thru coffee-burnt espresso tones, dark chocolate bittering, ashen walnut sear and dark roast hop char – gaining slight hazelnut sweetness at nutty oats-dried coffee finish.

MAGNIFY PUMPKIN SPICE CHEESECAKE MIND OVER MATTER CHOCOLATE MILK STOUT

November 18, 2024Beers A-ZMAGNIFY BREWING, pumpkin stoutJohn Fortunato

On tap at Taphouse 15, lactic autumnal chocolate milk stout variant layers subtle vanilla cheesecake creaminess atop cocoa-nibbed Graham Cracker base that’s sprinkled with brown-sugared cinnamon, cumin, nutmeg and clove spicing then given glazed pecan coating. Overly assertive abundance of big flavors battling for position.

ITHACA NITRO VANILLA PORTER

November 18, 2024Beers A-ZITHACA BEER CO., vanilla porterJohn Fortunato

On tap at Backyard Ale House – Scranton, nitro version places lightly creamed medium-roast coffee stead next to espresso nuttiness, debittered black malts, bittersweet vanilla beaning and soy milkiness.

RESIDENT CULTURE THE HEART LIES BECAUSE IT MUST SCHWARZBIER

November 18, 2024Beers A-ZRESIDENT CULTURE, schwarzbierJohn Fortunato

On tap at Seven Lakes Station, stylishly robust Czech-styled dark lager matches coffee-burnt brown breading with mild cocoa powdering as herbal Saaz hops provide slight earthen mustiness.

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