On tap at Growler & Gill, complex hybridized Abduction lets bittersweet coffee-roasted vanilla bean adjunct pick up gooey molasses-sugared black chocolate syruping. Fudged brownie, chocolate cake, burnt caramel, toffee, hazelnut and cola illusions increase steadfast mocha resilience.
On tap at Ambulance, less interesting Santa Vs. Unicorn variation utilizes dewy English yeast to affect molasses-sugared caramelized fruitiness, spicy bourbon tones, mild tobacco roast and subtle Nelson Sauvin-hopped white wining. Chocolate-covered raisin and cherry sweetness gains mildly vinous purple grape tartness at the finish.
On tap at Poor Henry’s, “hoppier Americanized barleywine” celebrates brewers’ one-year anniversary ale in mild style with tingly toned-down affectations. Soft whiskey tone slowly enveloped by moderate caramel-toasted toffee and coconut sweetness to contrast dry oaken vanilla snips. Just a shade thin.
Delicately dry milk chocolate-y cocoa powdering gains oats-sugared sweetness and dewy compost respite for Canadian actor-sponsored moderate-bodied stout. Lactic chocolate continuance loses luster as subtle hop-charred coffee influence mellowly increases.
Dark-roasted chocolate-coffee entry gains quick cola-walnut char and subtle toffee-sugared hazelnut sweetness as minor wood-smoked ashen earthiness sears blackened hop bittering of limited edition Pacific Crest Trail full body.
On tap at Equilibrium, bitterly black-malted medium body drapes moderately creamed dark chocolate across roasted coffee and vanilla bean sedation. Mild cola-walnut char picks up burnt toast smidge.
Soft sessionable summertime fodder brings light coconut toasting to daintily molasses-sugared milk chocolate base. Dry Baker’s chocolate midst and mild wood-grained lacquering nearly overwhelm silken vanilla-daubed nuttiness.
On tap at Taphouse 15, welcoming hybridized Belgian Dark Ale (sans “cherries and honey” of original Christmastime elixir) retains syrupy dark fruiting and candi-sugared Vienna malt spine. Sugar plum, fig, date and raisin illusions pick up sinewy orange-bruised liqueur warmth. Just a tad dryer and less complex than Troegs Mad Elf.
Lustrous tropical-fruited medium body goes way beyond typical ‘amber ale’ profile. Well-blended Nelson Sauvin, Mosaic and Simcoe hop merger creates ‘dank’ and sticky resinous pine bittering and tangy citrus juicing usually reserved for bigger IPA’s. Lemony yellow grapefruit tang picks up sweet orange-peeled mango, pineapple and tangerine spicing to contrast lightly pungent wood-dried fervor over sourdough breaded backbone.
Moderate habanero pepper heat and subtle cinnamon spicing receive toasted pumpkin glaze. Sweet pumpkin pie continuance nearly wiped out by habanero heat, leaving only a scattering of cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg seasoning and orange peel sweetness at the thickly creamed caramelized pumpkin finish. On tap at Plank Pizza, ’18 version kept the habanero heat on top of pumpkin pie spicing as well as tertiary gourd, yam and sweet potato nuances.
On tap at Poor Henry’s, subtly sweet-spiced mandarin orange influence receives mildly creamed wheat malting for sturdily richer toasted bread spine (than usual IPA fare). Mild orange-peeled peach and grapefruit wisps settle below the surface.
On tap at Poor Henry’s, pristine juicy-fruited Imperial IPA combines brisk yellow grapefruit tang with sweet mango and tart passionfruit up-front. Brisk citric-pined Mosaic hop bittering and wafting floral bouquet maintain refreshingly clean-watered profile. Tropical fruiting gains mild earthiness over time.
