On tap at Blind Tiger, fine oak-aged 2017 blonde barleywine (with 11% ABV) retains lovely wildflower-honeyed vanilla spicing and coconut-toasted tropical fruiting. Tangy pineapple-peach-orange conflux, caramel-sweetened pale malts and boozy bourbon refrain douse vintage amber-hued dessert treat. Sugar cookie, banana liqueur, syrupy pear, butterscotch, toffee and marshmallow illusions add further luster.
PRAIRIE BIRTHDAY BOMB! IMPERIAL STOUT – 2017
Decadent 2017 bottled version (13% ABV) relies on richly creamed chili-peppered coffee, cacao nibs and vanilla bean adjuncts to impressively heighten sweet caramel-sauced black chocolate syruping. Deep coffee roast gains molasses-sapped sugaring, mocha-bourbon mud caking, fudged brownie nuttiness and mild minty freshness while ever-present chili heat ignites its interior. The ultimate nightcap relaxer.
DARK HORSE TOONILLA CREAM STOUT
Delightful cream stout with Dark Street Roasting coffee and vanilla beans fortified by dark-roasted hop char. Sweet molasses-sapped milk chocolate center contrasts dried cocoa bittering just beneath hazelnut coffee continuance as moderate vanilla beaning thickens.
SHMALTZ DEATH HOPPY BLACK ALE
Utyilizing a big malt and hop bill, dark-roasted kilned coffee and dry Baker’s chocolate linger above ashen wood-smoked hop char. Thick mocha-smoked presence gains persistent tobacco-chawed bittering and sly rye malting over time.
GIGANTIC HIGH VOLTAGE WINTER IPA
Stylishly meandering medium-bodied IPA adds mild wintry spicing to caramelized apple nicety and evenly billed pear, pineapple, grapefruit and orange fruiting as dry chocolate-y nuttiness placates honeyed crystal malting.
BOMBSHELL END OF THE LINE IPA
Bitter piney fruited expectancy enriched by barley-honeyed Vienna malt bill. Zesty orange, pineapple and tangerine fruiting gains mildly pined Chinook hop dryness in fine fashion.
BANDED HORN VERIDIAN IPA
On tap at Russell House Tavern, smooth dry-bodied IPA utilizes ‘honeyed granola’ sweetness to contrast grassy wood-toned Chinook hop astringency and lemon-peeled orange rind bittering above light barley-crisped base.
KNEE DEEP BREAKING BUD IPA
Polite hop-forward India Pale Ale lets lemon-oiled orange peel, grapefruit, pineapple, mango, peach and tangerine tang sink into dank piney hop bittering. Wheat-flaked cereal graining and crystal malt sweetness battle back oncoming alcohol astringency.
(SHIP BOTTOM) STUPID PADDLE BOAT INDIA PALE ALE
On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead – Hoboken, crisply clean IPA lets grassy Citra hop bittering take the reins as its lemony grapefruit rind bite lingers alongside dry hop-charred pine dankness. Brisk carbolic prickle adds Seltzer-like spritz.
MIKKELLER WAVES (BOLGER) INDIA PALE ALE
Illuminating golden-hazed medium body brings perfumed yellow grapefruit, navel orange, mango and lemon tanginess to mildly creamed caramel malting. Resinous piney hop bittering gains herbal respite and earthen tea dankness.
MIKKELLER CARE TAKER NEW ENGLAND STYLE INDIA PALE ALE
Bolder New England-styled IPA leaves yellow grapefruit, pineapple, orange and mango tang upon serious pine lacquering. Sunny lemon zest brightens the load as proper stylistic hop astringency gains strength.
ABITA BIG EASY IPA
Thin dry-hopped IPA allows brisk lemon peel adjunct and mild lime tang to create pleasant, but insubstantial, up-front flavor profile. Mild floral pining and grassy earthen hops slink below delicately fizzy lemon-limed fluff. Easy drinking, yes, but nearly vapid at the finish.
