Dank pale ale (’07 version) allows spicy orange pastry likeness, rustic-grained French breading and phenol hop astringency to gain sugar glass sheen by candied finish.
NIMBLE HILL FLINKE HUGEL HELLES LAGER
Rustic pilsner-malted husked graining, sour lemon-rotted orange oiling and dried fig scurry lighten lingered herbal-licked Magnum hop bittering of nebulous helles lager. Dewy sourdough breading and earthen clay nuances waver.
902 TWO
On tap at Biggie’s, heady American Amber Ale brings sharp phenol hop bittering and ethyl alcohol astringency to briskly spiced red-orange-yellow fruitiness above toasted rye malt base.
SLOOP CONFLICTION
On tap at Curly’s Corner, lactic kettle-soured ale receives ultra-tart lemony grapefruit juicing and vinous green grape acidity above leathery musk. Hard-candied kiwi, guava, kumquat, passionfruit, pineapple and mango tropicalia develops sharp vinegar respite at sourly Citra-hopped finish. True delight for the wild ale crowd.
GOLDEN ROAD WOLF PUP SESSION IPA
On tap at Curly’s Corner, highly approachable Wolf Pup rewards wide-ranging tastes as its pink grapefruit luster, zesty lemon briskness, juicy orange tang and peachy pineapple tartness move to the fore ahead of mild grassy-hopped bitterness, wispy pine hints and lightly creamed crystal malt persuasion in a refreshingly clean manner. For further tropical enhancement, subsidiary mango, guava, papaya, tangerine, clementine and melon illusions backup its lemony grapefruit-orange luster.
GOLDEN ROAD WOLF AMONG WEEDS IPA
On tap at Curly’s Corner, ‘enthusiastic’ full-bodied West Coast IPA retains bitterer, bolder, earthier flavor profile than its lighter ‘Pup’ counterpart. Dank floral herbage, piney hop oiling and moderate alcohol acidity (8%) grace tangy grapefruit, orange and pineapple tropicalia to its musty pale-malted earthen bottom.
CURLEY’S CORNER
SUFFERN, NEW YORK
In the former Suffern Hotel across from the train station, CURLEY’S CORNER truly captures the eye with its elegant antique wood columns and walnut furnishings as well as its old-fashioned lamplighters and pressed tin ceiling. Opened for business, September 2016, its rustic pre-Prohibition feel, fine Irish-dominated menu, 24 diversified draught lines and TV-walled sportsbar atmosphere will appeal to any outgoing beer enthusiast or Blue Collar brewpie (a beer groupie).
Alongside Irish Beef Stew, Bangers & Mash, Fish & Chips and Shepherds Pie were a few Italian ‘classics,’ steaks, chops and fish. As for the beers, a few previously untried West Coast IPA’s and one sour New Yorker caught my attention while my wife and I enjoyed Corned Beef & Cabbage, Onion Soup and Goat Cheese Salad (with mandarin orange and craisins) at one of the two tables at the 20-seat left side bar area across from the separate dining area.
Famous craft beers on tap included Allagash White, Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA and Bell’s Two Hearted Ale alongside New York’s finest from Ommegang, Southern Tier, Pine Island, Yonkers, Sloop and Trout Town on my early February ’17 encounter.
Each California discovery from L.A.’s Golden Road hit the spot. Highly approachable Wolf Pup brought bright pink grapefruit, zesty lemon, juicy orange and peachy pineapple to the fore above feathery hop bitterness and lightly creamed crystal malt persuasion in a refreshingly clean manner. Meanwhile, Wolf Among Weeds, an ‘enthusiastic’ 8% ABV full body, retained a bitterer, bolder, earthier profile than its ‘pup’ counterpart – placing dank floral herbage inside its tangy grapefruit, orange and pineapple tropicalia. (full reviews at Beer Index).
EVIL TWIN MICHIGAN MAPLE JESUS
Brewed and bottled at Michigan’s Dark Horse, richly creamed stout aged in bourbon-barreled maple syrup proves to be another worthy Jesus descendant. Brown-sugared maple syrup usurps brown chocolate liqueur, fudged brownie, vanilla bean, coconut, marshmallow, blackberry and dark cherry sweetness over oak-charred smoked cedar . At the syrupy bourbon chocolate finish, lovely sherry-brandy wining, tingly anise spicing and raw molasses bittering increase complexity of robust dessert treat.
FOUNDERS FROOTWOOD CHERRY ALE AGED IN MAPLE SYRUP BOURBON BARRELS
On tap at Amazing Grapes, marvelous 2017 limited edition bourbon-barreled moderation places bittersweet red cherry tartness in light bourbon-aged maple syruping. Tangy cherry fruitiness enhanced by cranberry pucker above vanilla-doused Graham Cracker wheat spine. A worthily subtle dessert treat.
EVIL TWIN / WESTBROOK IMPERIAL MEXICAN BISCOTTI CAKE BREAK IMPERIAL STOUT
Beginning with a heavy black coffee influence, astoundingly thick and chewy full body (with well-hidden 10.5% ABV) gains moderated cinnamon, almond and cocoa nibs adjuncts draped by viscous black chocolate syrup. Arguably bettering the original Imperial Biscotti Break (and brewed in conjunction with fellow South Carolinians Westbrook), luxuriously rich variant takes time developing a true almond or cinnamon biscotti flavor as wispy habanero peppering contrasts sharp sugar spicing below the chocolate fudge-caked dessert midst. Bittersweet vanilla-beaned dark cocoa and sticky anise goo thicken the massive mocha plot while tertiary black grape, black cherry and fig illusions add complexity to splendid dessert treat.
LAGUNITAS STOOPID WIT
Enlighteningly well-designed witbier places white-peppered Belgian yeast inside a floral-spiced citrus setting. Brisk lemon zest brightens lavender tea-like hibiscus, jasmine and chrysanthemum florality as well as light peppercorn seasoning. Honeyed glaze sweetens pineapple, peach and banana subsidies while latent mandarin orange, curacao orange, yellow grapefruit and pineapple illusions flutter by. A complex wit bettering nearly all competitors.
CISCO WINTER SHREDDER
On tap at Taphouse 15, indecisive winter warmer lacks sugar-spiced Christmastime expectancy. Instead, wayward anise-dried ginger spicing, dry Baker’s chocolate musk and murky honey tea-like waver subside quickly.