Despite all its smug ‘Bad Mother’ braggadocio, even-keeled medium-bodied oyster stout stays stylistically reserved. Briny oyster-shelled adjunct creates creamy bed for roasted brown chocolate and burnt caramel malts. Molasses-sugared oats pick up oak-smoked tangent in the distance.
On tap at Julian’s, crisply clean medium body places yellow grapefruit spicing atop piney Simcoe-Chinook-Columbus hop resin and biscuity rye-toasted spine. Ancillary lemon zest, navel orange, tangerine, mango and pineapple illusions provide delightful accessory.
Syrupy fruit cocktail with serious green coffee bean overtones and just enough chili peppering to not be intrusive. Orange-peeled coriander adjunct stands firm as juicy honey-malted pineapple, peach, honeydew, cantaloupe, mango and nectarine tang gains intensity (alongside persistent sweet banana whim) contrasting mild gin-like juniper bitterness and herbal lemongrass-peppercorn snips. Unroasted coffee bean influence stays just below the frolicking fondue-fruited finish of fascinating tripel/ stout hybrid.
On tap at Doherty’s, impressive java-powered version of Ithaca Flower Power utilizes nutty Tanzanian coffee to contrast orange-peeled tangerine, grapefruit, pineapple, mango, peach and melon tropicalia as well as dry pine bittering. By the finish, its IPA fruiting overpowers the casual coffee caress.
Fudgy Yoo-Hoo milk chocolate entry upends frothy nitro aridity to make more distinct imprint than advertised toasted coconut chips. Dark-roasted brown chocolate sweetness overruns mild coffee creaming, light vanilla sugaring, distant cocoa hint and wispy sarsaparilla nip to molasses-sapped oatmeal base.
Soft-toned India Pale Ale utilizes powdered lupulin for lightly spiced floral fruiting and mild spruce-needled pine resin. Lemony grapefruit, orange and pineapple tang sweetened by oats-sugared Maris Otter malts and pastry-caked cookie dough yeast. Ancillary peach, mango, tangerine, cantaloupe and melon illusions make cameos.
On tap at Doherty’s, moderate yellow grapefruit peel bittering and spruce-needled pine resin contrast sweet crystal malting. Tertiary blood orange, lemon, pineapple and peach illusions add zesty reminder.
Despicable drain pour feigns English IPA styling with dewy mildewed foliage, twiggy black tea dankness and musty lemon-dried musk, finishing unappealingly indistinct. Waxy crayon grouting leads to nastily elongated aspirin-like finish. Must be better on tap.
On tap at Doherty’s, sessionable citric-centered moderation retains easygoing appeal as yellow grapefruit spicing gains resinous pine lacquering. Brisk grapefruit peel and rind bittering picks up floral orange-pineapple-mango exchange.
On tap at Doherty’s, enchanting rum-barreled Flanders Red hybrid adds subtle blueberry, blackberry and raspberry adjuncts to oaken cherry souring and acrid barnyard musk. Though light rum influence flags, soft-toned green grape pucker, unripe peach snip and musky cologne waft add complexity to ‘berry’ good sour ale.
On tap at Doherty’s, delicately easygoing bock brings dried fig tartness, light molasses sinew, subtle raisin notions and nutty toffee tinge to clean-watered crisping. Subtle leafy hop astringency affects dried-fruited nature.
Foremost gose utilizes prickly pear cactus juice to heighten lightly salted yellow grapefruit souring and fresh-squeezed lemon bruise. At midst, crisply clean cucumber watering picks up limey plantain, white peach and gooseberry licks. Saltine cracker-like white wheat bottom perfectly suits dry light-bodied template.
