Sunny citrus-spiced elation glows from simple sessionable summertime suds. Lemony yellow grapefruit bittering and soft pine needling receive sharp hop-oiled astringency above biscuity cracker spine. Brisk citric-pined pale ale not far removed from effective India Pale Ale styling.
Expressive medium body intricately blends brisk citric hop tang into peppery Belgian yeast spicing, toasted biscuit malts and herbal nuances while its bold 8% ABV brings adequate vodka-gin boozing. Beneath lemon-candied Valencia orange, tangerine, clementine and marmalade fruiting lies the soft malted wheat (whiskey) spine.
Busy light-medium body brings floral-bound herbal astringency to stylish orange-wedged banana and clove sweetness. Subtle citrus-pined Cascade hop bittering, lightly salted carbolic spritz, lemon-seeded souring and herbal lemongrass tea nuances contrast banana-clove-bubblegum triage in non-traditional hefeweizen manner.
NYACK, NEW YORK
Making no bones about their American heritage, Nyack’s POUR HOUSE prides itself on unwavered nationality as ubiquitous United States flags, Americana food and stateside beers welcome local denizens and curious travelers. Based in a historic bohemian community just up the hill from the Hudson River and 20 miles northwest of the Big Apple, this amiably cozy two-room sportsbar features TV’s at every conceivable corner, 20 tap handles and 100 bottled beers (mixing well-known craft offerings alongside several reliable macrobrews).
Founded in 2010, Pour House soon became the #1 sportsbar and grill serving ‘innovative entrees,’ burgers, pizzas and salads to go with its well-chosen brews, creative cocktails and lively spirits. Its windowed blue awning frontage, hardwood floors, acoustic ceiling tiles, potted plants and stooled tables fill the interior alongside the 20-seat bar.
My wife and I first visit Pour House for Monday dinner in early June, 2015. As we enter, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s celebratory “Sweet Home Alabama” is playing. Upon leaving, the Southern rockers’ cheeky barroom tale, “Gimme Three Steps,” blares from the jukebox. In between, Creedence Clearwater Revival, ZZ Top and several classic rock gems receive airtime.
Though I was already well acquainted with the tapped beer selections, the refrigerator near the checkout register provided the previously untried Full Sail Original Amber Ale, a brisk citrus-hopped medium body with pale-malted yellow grapefruit and orange rind bittering. Loaded Fries with cheddar-cheesed bacon and scallions made for a filling appetizer while Pastrami Reuben and Cheesesteak hoagie also sufficed.
Whether serving friends, family or business associates, Pour House will satisfy hunger and thirst with blue-collared workmanlike efficiency.
On tap at Ambulance, triumphant Imperial Stout given bourbon-barreled sour cherries to heighten “richer, heartier” mocha richness. Bittersweet chocolate malting gains creamy molasses sugaring that serenades oaken vanilla dryness, vinous port wining and bourbon whiskey elegance. Combative black cherry sourness spreads across expansive mocha-spiced finish.
On tap at Ambulance, robust English porter spreads smoky mocha-roasted affluence across bitter hop char and ashen nuttiness. Dark chocolate, dried cocoa, black coffee and raw molasses overtones segue into walnut-burnt peanut roast. Mild black cherry tease settles below rich nutty mocha surface.
On tap at Ambulance, fine St. Louis-referenced IPA melds citric-perfumed Cascade hop bittering to wood-dried Chinook hop astringency above sugared pale malting. Yellow grapefruit peel briskness overrides orange, tangerine and clementine illusions. Floral-daubed pine resin deepens citric resonance.
On tap at Ambulance, centrist hop-head delight goes right down the middle with expectant citric-oiled hop pungency and lightly resinous pine bittering. Lemony orange, pineapple, tangerine and mango tang affixes musky dry-wooded astringency. Soft white-breaded bottom provides friendly backend for lighter thirsts.
On tap at Ambulance, mild-mannered pale ale spreads aromatic citric-pined Cascade hop bittering across the floral tropicality of New Zealand’s Motueka hop sedation. Cologne-perfumed citrus fruiting maintains crispness as dry lemon-seeded grapefruit rind bite lingers. Wispy mango, passionfruit and guava undertones could be pushed forward.
On tap at Ambulance, gose-like farmhouse ale ‘foraged by Gulf Coast water’ (and brewed in collab w/ Late Start) brings moderate sour-candied lemon tartness to salty limestone pucker and vinous green grape tannins.
On tap at Ambulance, moderate-bodied farmhouse ale contrasts soft tropical fruiting and syrupy honey malting with herbaceous hop astringency. Fluttering banana-skinned plantain snip and fresh-watered celery crisping backend subtle lemony grapefruit wisp at sweet n’ sour citrus finish.
On tap at Ambulance, docile straw-cleared 25th anniversary ‘petite saison’ retains sedate citric-soured herbage, dry pilsner-wheat malting, light white-peppered hop bite and neutral cracker banter. Lemon-seeded bittering upends floral-spiced pineapple, mango and passionfruit tropicalia. In the bottle, crisply clean dry-hopped yellow fruiting gained floral-spiced sweetness and minor barnyard acridity as wispy grapefruit, mandarin orange and lemon peel tartness subsides.
