DC BRAU THE PUBLIC PALE

March 28, 2015Beers A-Zpale aleJohn Fortunato

In homage to District of Columbia becoming the 51st state, intriguingly aggressive, yet crisply clean, highbrow pale ale (in a can) brings spirited floral-perfumed citrus briskness, essential herbal hop oiling and wafting botanical flowers to resinous pine-needled bittering. Fresh spruce, skunky sativa and sagebrush illusions awaken lemony grapefruit-peeled orange rind sharpness as well as tropical peach, pineapple, mango and papaya sweetness above the caramelized Vienna malt base. Astoundingly complex.

DU CLAW HELLRAZER IPA

March 28, 2015Beers A-Zindia pale aleJohn Fortunato

Zesty medium-bodied India Pale Ale utilizes tropical-fruited New Zealand hops to moisten its floral-dusted sweetness and spruce-tipped herbal notions. Brisk yellow grapefruit, orange peel, pineapple, peach, mango and papaya illusions crowd the surface above saltine cracker-like malt for a freshly-squeezed tropical fruit punch.

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DU CLAW HOP CONTINUUM NO. 1 BLOOD ORANGE INDIA PALE ALE

March 28, 2015Beers A-Zindia pale aleJohn Fortunato

Cherished sweet ‘n sour blood orange distinction usurps resinous piney hop bittering and rye-flaked torrified wheat bed. Floral blood orange aromatics fill the air, leaving zesty citric innuendos. Pink, yellow and ruby red grapefruit juicing stays briskly fresh as tertiary pineapple, nectarine, peach and navel range illusions flutter by.

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DU CLAW ANTI VENOM CENTENNIAL IPA

March 28, 2015Beers A-Zindia pale aleJohn Fortunato

Vaguely defined ‘American adaptation of an English IPA’ plies pale-malted earthiness to lemony grapefruit bittering, resinous pine oiling and floral herbage (seeming too Americanized for mossier British styling). Sugary citrus sweetness contrasts ascending alcohol burn.

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DU CLAW MORGAZM

March 28, 2015Beers A-Zblonde aleJohn Fortunato

Delicate blonde ale utilizes ‘grapefruit zest’ to briskly fortify mild dry body. Candied pink and yellow grapefruit tang sets the tone, then drops off a tad as subtle lemon pith bittering picks up. Light flavor profile withers too quickly.

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LAGUNITAS SCARE CITY HIGH WEST-IFIED IMPERIAL COFFEE STOUT

March 28, 2015Beers A-Zcoffee stoutJohn Fortunato

On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead, lofty rye whiskey-barreled full body offers bourbon-sweetened brown chocolate spicing to ascending hazelnut coffee roast. Burnt caramel malting contrasts silken burgundy, port and sherry wining. Recessive French vanilla, espresso macchiato and frappuccino undertones deepen smoked mocha conviction, but rye influence deadens over time.

POINT WHOLE HOG ESPRESSO STOUT

March 28, 2015Beers A-Zcoffee stoutJohn Fortunato

Tongue-lashing espresso bittering lingers softly above black coffee, dark chocolate, dried cocoa, tarry molasses and vanilla bean undertones. Aged in coffee beans, its dark-roasted mocha malting fares better then slick charred hop oiling. Slightest burnt nuttiness contained by impressively detailed espresso roast.

CLOWN SHOES GARDEN STATE RHAPSODY IMPERIAL STOUT AGED IN RYE BARRELS

March 28, 2015Beers A-Zimperial stoutJohn Fortunato

On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead, imposingly robust rye-barreled full body combines Undead Party Crasher Imperial Stout with an experimental barleywine. Sweet bourbon influence initially flourishes over rich black chocolate malting and cookie dough yeast. Fudge brownie, dark cocoa, vanilla bean and roasted coffee illusions saddle rye whiskey midst. Tertiary sherry, burgundy and pinot noir snips provide boozy warmth to 12% ABV dark ale.

SIXPOINT JOHN DORY OYSTER STOUT

March 28, 2015Beers A-Zoyster stoutJohn Fortunato

On tap at Ambulance, 2015 version of oyster stout (originally made for John Dory Oyster Bar) brings thrusting black patent malt roast to briny oyster-shelled creaming, mild charcoal-hopped bittering and seared earth bottom. Dark chocolate, dried cocoa and black coffee illusions overrun mild black cherry tartness at capacious mocha finish.

WEYERBACHER OLD HEATHEN IMPERIAL STOUT (DRY-HOPPED)

March 28, 2015Beers A-Zimperial stoutJohn Fortunato

On tap at Ambulance, dry-hopped cask version of well-respected stout retains settling warmth. Evergreen-like Northern Brewer hop freshness inundates plentiful dark-roasted chocolate malting and freeze-dried coffee subsidy above vinous port-wined red grape tartness and distant black cherry snip.

ANDERSON VALLEY BASIL IPA

March 28, 2015Beers A-Zindia pale aleJohn Fortunato

On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead, limited edition 2015 India Pale Ale brings pleasant herbal freshness to piney citrus fruiting. Mild basil-leafed influence perks up grapefruit-peeled orange rind bittering while allowing subsidiary pesto, sage brush and pine nut illusions to flourish beneath.

Anderson Valley Brewing Company | Boonville, California

ANDERSON VALLEY HORSE TONGUE WITBIER

March 28, 2015Beers A-ZwitbierJohn Fortunato

On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead, vinous white wine-barreled Belgian witbier showers bacteria-cultured barnyard rusticity with soured Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, sparkling champagne, hard cider and red-wined vinaigrette pucker. Musty lemon-dried backdrop picks up dry oaken musk.

BEERMELODIES

For Beer Geeks And Rock Freaks

DC BRAU THE PUBLIC PALE

DU CLAW HELLRAZER IPA

DU CLAW HOP CONTINUUM NO. 1 BLOOD ORANGE INDIA PALE ALE

DU CLAW ANTI VENOM CENTENNIAL IPA

DU CLAW MORGAZM

LAGUNITAS SCARE CITY HIGH WEST-IFIED IMPERIAL COFFEE STOUT

POINT WHOLE HOG ESPRESSO STOUT

CLOWN SHOES GARDEN STATE RHAPSODY IMPERIAL STOUT AGED IN RYE BARRELS

SIXPOINT JOHN DORY OYSTER STOUT

WEYERBACHER OLD HEATHEN IMPERIAL STOUT (DRY-HOPPED)

ANDERSON VALLEY BASIL IPA

ANDERSON VALLEY HORSE TONGUE WITBIER