FOUNDERS SUMATRA MOUNTAIN BROWN

June 9, 2016Beers A-ZFOUNDERS BREWING, imperial brown aleJohn Fortunato

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.

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MIDNIGHT SUN ARCTIC DEVIL BARLEYWINE

June 9, 2016Beers A-Zbarleywine, MIDNIGHT SUN BREWINGJohn Fortunato

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.

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OTTER CREEK / LAWSON’S DOUBLE OR NOTHING MAPLE BARLEYWINE

June 9, 2016Beers A-Zbarleywine, OTTER CREEKJohn Fortunato

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.

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BARRIER FRAU BLUCHER RAUCHBIER

June 9, 2016Beers A-ZBARRIER BREWING, rauchbierJohn Fortunato

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.

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SIXPOINT DOUBLE SWEET ACTION

June 9, 2016Beers A-ZSIXPOINT CRAFT ALES, strong aleJohn Fortunato

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.

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SIXPOINT PUFF

June 9, 2016Beers A-Zimperial india pale ale, SIXPOINT CRAFT ALESJohn Fortunato

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.

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KENT FALLS ARE YOU SINGLE? IPA

June 9, 2016Beers A-Zindia pale ale, KENT FALLSJohn Fortunato

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.

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LIC BEER PROJECT PARTY CRASHER

June 9, 2016Beers A-Zindia pale ale, LIC BEER PROJECTJohn Fortunato

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.

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BLUE EARL GNARLY RED EYED ROOSTER RYE IPA

June 9, 2016Beers A-ZBLUE EARL BREWING, india pale aleJohn Fortunato

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.

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BLUE EARL WALKING BLUES IPA

June 9, 2016Beers A-ZBLUE EARL BREWING, india pale aleJohn Fortunato

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.

ANGRY ERIK FJORD CROSSER BELGIAN IPA

June 9, 2016Beers A-ZANGRY ERIK, belgian india pale aleJohn Fortunato

On tap at River Of Beer, invigorating Belgian-styled pale ale brings brisk lemon-limed tropical fruiting to honeyed pale malts and moderate citric hop bittering, leaving strong ethyl alcohol astringency at the finish. Juicy mango, honeydew, melon, tangerine and lychee illusions sweetly brighten the zesty lemon overtures.

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ANGRY ERIK ERIK THE ORANGE

June 9, 2016Beers A-ZANGRY ERIK, Belgian pale aleJohn Fortunato

On tap at Amazing Grapes, busy oak-aged Belgian strong ale (7.8% ABV) humbly integrates rum-spiced oaken bourbon serenade with zesty orange juicing, creamy vanilla sugaring and sweet caramel malts. Molasses whiskey respite and wispy peach tones round out Creamsickle-like medium body.

Angry Erik Erik The Orange Beer

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