Outstanding Imperial India Pale Ale (with boozy 10.9% ABV) drapes zesty grapefruit-sugared tang atop pine-hopped tropical fruiting and tingly rum-spiced alcohol warmth. Lively mango, mandarin orange, clementine, peach and nectarine illusions settle just below the bright yellow grapefruit expanse. Brisk, refreshingly sharp and well balanced.
Completely relaxing bourbon-barreled weizenbock blends seductive Jim Beam whiskey sweetness into mellow Cognac warmth, picking up vanilla-creamed sugaring as well as bruised cherry, purple grape, orange marmalade, sugarplum and fig illusions. Subtle marshmallow, pecan, cocoa and praline undertones recede to liqueur-like alcohol kick that punctuates sweet bourbon imprint.
Fabulous vanilla-spiced schwarzbier proves to be extraordinary hybrid. Christmastime cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice seasoning enjoins bittersweet raisin-fig conflux before settling into brown-sugared pumpkin pie finish. Along the way, sour soy-sauced brown chocolate malting encounters imposing gingerbread sweetness just above the earthen peat base.
Passive English style dark ale contrasts brown coffee roast against burnt caramel sweetness above moderate hop char. Advertised pecan nuttiness stays subtle, registering below oily coffee reminder.
Enticing 2015 bourbon-barreled Imperial Stout brings creamy bourbon chocolate sweetness to the fore above brown-sugared dried fruiting, burnt caramel piquancy and oaken vanilla scurry. Boozy sherry propensity crowds mighty dark chocolate, coffee and cocoa contingent. Tertiary marshmallow, molasses and chicory undertones deepen overall intensity.
Rich moderation succeeds at combining tuberous vegetal adjunct with dark-roasted brown chocolate malts. Milk-sugared sweet potato auxiliary reinforces deep chocolate roast and sour coffee niche over ashen hop char. Sweet potato pie vestige drifts by as mild cola, hazelnut and walnut undertones pick up light molasses creaming at dark cocoa finish.
Bodacious bourbon chocolate stout retains creamy mocha molasses richness. Syrupy chocolate-vanilla fudging nudges Jack Daniels whiskey sweetness and dark cherry tartness as well as light smoked oak char, creating heavy dessert luster. Distant burgundy, black grape and raisin illusions bring mild sweet ‘n sour sideswipe to engaging chocolate whiskey finish.
On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead, creamy ‘coffee oatmeal stout’ picks up bittersweet dark chocolate richness to emphasize dry black coffee roast. Smoked nuttiness, mild black peppering and charred hop singe reinforce luxurious coffee bean theme.
On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead, bold espresso-roasted Imperial Stout retains creamy brown chocolate sweetness to contrast resinous hop pining and mild chili burn. Rich mocha malting picks up smoky nuance by the vanilla-daubed chocolate espresso finish.
On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead, brawny Imperial Stout utilizes woody Chinook hop char to heighten the tarry dark-roasted bitterness consuming its coffee-enriched dark chocolate malting and moderate molasses-like sugaring. Beneath the surface, dried cherry tartness contrasts mild bourbon sweetness.
On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead, ‘divergent’ stout fermented with Italian red wine yeast happily marries dark ale mocha tendencies to tart grape tannins, oaken bourbon whims and black cherry snips. At the finish, dry cocoa, bittersweet chocolate and molasses oats take charge, leaving dark-fruited aspect to linger behind.
Dry soy-milked souring affects dark-roasted black chocolate malting, unsweetened cocoa powdering and mild day-old coffee smidge of smoothly creamed moderation. Tertiary hazelnut, cola nut and walnut illusions drift off. Serve to Baltic porter fans.
