On tap at Ambulance, initial black coffee bittering inundated by dark-roasted black chocolate influence and acrid black patent malting to sugared barley-oats base. Bittersweet molasses syruping slightly thickens rich mocha resonance.
BOAKS ABBEY BROWN ALE
On tap at Amazing Grapes, engaging Belgian strong dark ale brings candi-sugared rum raisin sweetness and brown chocolate creaming to sharp hop spicing. Fruit-caked fig, cherry and pine nut illusions ride alongside bourbon-soaked purple grape, blackberry and peach tones underneath the surface. Brewery defunct: 2016.
FOUNDERS SUMATRA MOUNTAIN BROWN
On tap at Amazing Grapes, fascinatingly decadent cola-hued Imperial Brown Ale benefits greatly from expressive Sumatra coffee influx. Bold coffee berry penetration receives bitter dark-roasted hop intensity to enhance mesmerizing coffee bean theme. Creamy milk-sugared caramel latte sweetness contrasts nutty black coffee pungency as light black pepper influence lingers. Fudgy black chocolate, vanilla, espresso and cocoa tones provide solid support alongside subtler hazelnut, pecan and walnut illusions.
MIDNIGHT SUN ARCTIC DEVIL BARLEYWINE
On tap at Ambulance, well-defined English-styled barleywine (13.2% ABV 2016 version) layers toffee-spiced caramel malting atop luxurious white rum-spiced molasses, tantalizing bourbon vanilla, chocolate-glazed dried fruiting, chewy cookie dough yeast and mild port wining. Sweet brown-sugared cherry, fig and raisin conflux sidles delightful butternut, pecan and almond illusions at the busy finish.
OTTER CREEK / LAWSON’S DOUBLE OR NOTHING MAPLE BARLEYWINE
On tap at River Of Beer, approachable moderate-bodied barleywine (collaboration between Vermont’s Otter Creek and Lawson’s Liquids) brings raisin puree sweetness to light port-sherry wining as subtle maple molasses syruping sits softly in the backdrop. Tertiary red grape, candied apple, brandied cherry, red currant and bourbon vanilla undertones add depth.
BARRIER FRAU BLUCHER RAUCHBIER
On tap at Ambulance, rounded smoked helles lager (named after Young Frankenstein character) contrasts beechwood-seared cedar and hickory tones with sweet barley-roasted chocolate malting and cured meat accessory above earthen peat base. Light Band-aid astringency provides proper stylistic profile to glazed ham, briny pastrami and smoked salami dalliances.
SIXPOINT DOUBLE SWEET ACTION
On tap at River Of Beer, modest strong ale (with well hidden 9% ABV) will appeal to India Pale Ale fans with its sugar-spiced citrus pleasantries and aggressive hop astringency. Evenly dispersed grapefruit, orange, tangerine, apricot and plum fruiting sits atop caramelized Scotch-licked Maris Otter malting.
SIXPOINT PUFF
On tap at River Of Beer, mighty Imperial India Pale Ale (with unobtrusive 9.8% ABV) uses brewers’ citric-bound Resin as its base. Resinous dry-hopped fruiting picks up light pine lacquering to contrast lightly creamed honeyed vanilla malting. Tangy grapefruit, orange and pineapple juicing and zesty lemon briskness override tertiary mango-papaya-tangerine-peach-nectarine conflux.
KENT FALLS ARE YOU SINGLE? IPA
On tap at Ambulance, lemon-limed bitterness and grapefruit-seeded souring combine with lightly pined Cascade hops for mid-range IPA. Mild grain grouting and grassy bottom add rusticity to citric pleasantry.
LIC BEER PROJECT PARTY CRASHER
On tap at Ambulance, moderate Citra-Amarillo hop bittering brings dry-bodied IPA an easygoing lemony orange tang contrasted by dank pine resin and light herbal tones. Juicy mango, pineapple and guava tropicalia sweetens honeyed pale malts underneath the sunny citric surface.
BLUE EARL GNARLY RED EYED ROOSTER RYE IPA
Sharply citric limited edition 2016 bottle version increases yellow grapefruit bittering as well as piney spruce sapping above ample biscuit-buttered rye spine. Sugar-spiced grapefruit, peach, apple, orange and tangerine tang gains resonance from crisply clean Chinook-Cascade-Citra dry hop insistence as 7.7% alcohol burn surges at the aftertaste.
BLUE EARL WALKING BLUES IPA
Engaging lemony grapefruit-orange-peach tang and spruce-sugared caramel malting contrast lightly pined hop roast. Yellow grapefruit rind bittering increases above dry wood-toned astringency and delicate floral accents at the midst, but lingered aspirin-like salicylic acidity may scare off lighter thirsts.
