On tap at Ambulance, ‘delicate’ version of brewers’ Coffee Cup dispenses dry cold-brewed coffee roast upon black chocolate malts and mild wood-charred hop bittering. A splendidly easygoing coffee ale.
NIGHT SHIFT BENNINGTON OATMEAL STOUT
On tap at Ambulance, maple syrup-aged full body boasts bittersweet cocoa powdered resilience, oats-dried black chocolate malting and Graham Cracker honeying. Tarry dark-roasted hop bittering and wood-burnt chicory coffee tease contrast sweet chocolate-caked vanilla dalliance below the surface, spiking its molasses-rich mocha propensity.
LIC BEER PROJECT HELL WITHIN IMPERIAL STOUT
On tap at Ambulance, busy full body soaks Madagascar vanilla beans, birch coffee and Vietnam cinnamon in Heaven Hill bourbon barrels. Sticky oats-sugared maple molasses syruping and sweet brown chocolate-y cocoa malting increase cinnamon-spiced vanilla and coffee adjuncts, gaining mild burgundy, bruised cherry and black grape illusions over time. Bourbon influence fades at finish.
AUSTIN STREET SUCCINCT SCHWARZBIER
On tap at Ambulance, vague dark-roasted mocha malting, mild peat musk and lightly spiced dried fruiting lack resilience. But understated chocolate-cocoa passage gains traction.
SCHNEIDER WEISSE MARIE’S RENDEZVOUS TAP X
On tap at Ambulance, ‘enticing’ 10% ABV weizenbock drips sweet honey upon pastry-fruited entry, creamy caramelized toffee mass, cotton-candied sugaring and mild spice-hopped peppering. Honeyed sugarplum, stewed apple, apricot, cherry, brandy, banana, mango, cantaloupe and melon illusions spread thru full-bodied barleywine-like dessert.
GEORGE KEELEY’S
MANHATTAN, NEW YORK
One of the finest Upper West Side watering holes in Manhattan, GEORGE KEELEY’S serves classic Irish and American pub fare alongside some of New York’s best craft beer on draught.
Just off 83rd Street on Amsterdam Avenue, the cozy neighborhood hangout’s 20-seat mahogany brass-railed bar features 20-plus taps, a large mirrored George Keeley mural and several distinguished liquors. Ten left side tables oppose the bar and multiple TV’s provide a sportsbar atmosphere and a Dogfish Head sign above the front door proves their commitment to craft beer.
The jukebox plays classic rock while I consume six previously untried brews (reviewed in Beer Index) with my friends Steve and Jeremy during a hot summer night in June ’17.
East Coast Amber Lager and Bamberger Mahr’s Ungestpundet Hefetrub represented the pilsner-lager contingent. Captain Lawrence Clearwater Kolsch, LIC Beer Project Primrose Saison and Modern Times Fruitlands with passionfruit and guava were soft-toned faves. KCBC Extremely Dangerous Precedent Double IPA proved worthy but Gisberga Reina De Aragon Porter seemed unfinished.
THE BRUERY SAULE
On tap at Ambulance, superb 9th Anniversary English-styled old ale aged in bourbon barrels (with heightened 16.1% ABV) brings luscious cherry-bruised sherry wining and caramelized crème brulee sugaring to the fore. Sweet bourbon vanilla midst allows ripe raisin, plum, raspberry and peach tones to deepen its candi-sugared vibe.
PRAIRIE BIRTHDAY BOMB! IMPERIAL STOUT – 2016
On tap at Ambulance, rich 3rd anniversary dessert sure-shot (at dangerously disguised 13% ABV) harmoniously drapes creamy caramel-sauced brown chocolate syruping upon oak-aged ancho chili-peppered espresso and vanilla bean adjuncts. Subsidiary Black Forest cake, fudged brownie, light-roast coffee, crème brulee, toasted coconut, maple molasses and glazed hazelnut illusions fortify trusty pepper-smoked mocha sweetness.
SINGLECUT STRANGE SHADOWS FROM THE FLAMES SMOKED STOUT WITH HONEY
On tap at Ambulance, rapturous honey-sweetened smoked stout brings campfire-like cherrywood smoke to fudgy dark chocolate malting. Creamy caramelized honey drapes cocoa-powdered midst and smoked mocha core as well as tertiary vanilla, marshmallow and hazelnut illusions. Liquified candy bar.
SOUTHERN TIER PITTSBURGH LEFT BLONDE COFFEE
On tap at Liberty Craft House, easygoing coffee-infused pale ale is first Southern Tier satellite brew for Pittsburgh Craft Beer Week. Smoked coffee bean entry gains mild lemony orange tartness above dainty mocha malting.
GREENPORT HARBOR LONGEST NIGHT
Dry nutty resilience rides above black chocolate malting and mild charred hop bittering. Harsh nut sear brings tarry walnut and singed Brazil nut illusions to the surface – embittered by raw molasses astringency, Muscat grape musk and dry burgundy snip.
WEYERBACHER 22 ALE W/ VANILLA, CINNAMON, NUTMEG & ORANGE PEEL
On tap at Liberty Craft House, luxurious 22nd Anniversary ale loads dark chocolate syrup upon advertised vanilla-sugared nutmeg and cinnamon spicing as well as sweet orange peel zest. Dry bourbon, sherry and Scotch undertones deepen resolve of robust 11.1% ABV dessert treat.