On tap at Ambulance, enjoyable dessert treat perfectly re-creates chocolate mint Girl Scout cookie with cacao nibs and mint leafs. Hiding its massive 10% ABV thru massive dark chocolate malting and menthol-like mint julep freshness, this veritable liquid candy will satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth. Fudge brownie, vanilla and spice cake illusions deepen mocha conviction.
On tap at Ambulance, dry-hopped springtime farmhouse ale just misses the mark. Perfumed yellow grapefruit bittering stays sharp and sour lemon-rotted tartness provides decent backup, but musky cologne-like spicing is an acquired taste.
On tap at Ambulance, flagship German lager retains stylish light-bodied Bavarian simplicity with its sour lemon-rotted wisp, earthen mineral graining and subtle Hallertau hop bittering. But its delicate pilsner malting picks up slight vegetal disturbance before getting soapy.
Easygoing floral citrus serenade picks up wood-dried pining, hop-spiced tingle and herbal nuance. Lemony orange, grapefruit, pineapple and mango juicing provides soft-toned elegance.
Intense hophead delight delivers briskly sharp grapefruit-peeled orange rind bittering to sweet peach, pineapple, mango, tangerine and nectarine tang. Thick pine resin coarsens the clean citric-spiced Warrior hop bite above biscuity rye malting.
Middling dry-bodied Brewhouse Rarities offering provides peculiar Earl Grey tea malting to black chocolate roast (perhaps mimicking schwarzbier-like black patent malt astringency). Gunky Blackstrap molasses-honeyed wheat spine picks up moldy rye breading. Not sure it all comes together, but may suit particular dark ale tastes.
Silkenly smooth pale-strawed dry lager from Japan’s first microbrewery (circa 2013) retains corn-sugared rice tone over dainty German pilsner malts, light hop astringency and dank earthen must. Mild cider-soured lemon tartness found at the challah-breaded sourdough spine. Simply refreshing.
Pleasurable mainstream moderation blends laid-back apple-orange-tangerine tang into spicy hop respite, light caramel malting and dry leafy earthiness.
NEW CITY, NEW YORK
Perched just off the main drag in Rockland County’s affluent county seat, New City (just an hour north of NYC) got a lot cooler when BURGER LOFT went ‘craft’ three years ago. On my March 15 stopover, the pristine beer pub celebrated Long Island brewery, Barrier, dedicating all 12 stainless steel tap lines to the superfine suds.
Inside a colonial-styled, red-bricked mini mall, Burger Loft is not only a fine burger joint, but also a damn fine beer-centric hideaway and roomy sportsbar (with several widescreenTV’s). Its wide windows shine sunlight on the tile floor of the wood-furnished pale blue interior. Right side dining’s fine for family and friends while the two 15-seat wood counters at the bar spread across the entire left side. Made of maple, oak and zebra wood, the sturdily thick counter tops stretch far and wide, allowing many brewhounds to converge in one spot and still have plenty of room to rove.
All weekend long, Barrier Brewing’s been featured. And on this early springtime jaunt, I quaffed a lofty eight new Barrier offerings that would’ve easily satisfied even the most hardened connoisseurs. Served in lofty 5.5 ounce samplers, each well designed elixir hit its mark, especially my initial libation, Barrier Icculus Kolsch, a tantalizing light-bodied pilsner with a spritzy lemony orange splash and doughy cracker backup that’s as crisply clean as it gets.
Though Barrier Simple California Common Lager couldn’t compete, its phenol citric astringency proved smooth (if soapy). Barrier Delicioulus Extra Pale Ale meshed perfumed citric hops with tropical fruiting while the even better Belgian 1 Pale Ale brought sour lemon-candied orange and pineapple tang to delicate banana-clove spicing.
As usual, India Pale Ale’s dominated the menu. Evil Giant IPA let rye malts deepen the stylish white-peppered, pine-needled grapefruit bittering while spruce-tipped Atypical IPA showcased lemony grapefruit. Soft-toned Money IPA placed orange-rotted yellow grapefruit bittering atop yellow wood tones. Best bet: sweet fruit-juiced Daddy Warbucks Double IPA, a sunny tropical-fruited beauty with honeyed malts and piney herbal respite.
For dessert, Morticia Russian Imperial Stout brought lusty dark-roasted smoked mocha malting to bourbon-tinged dark fruiting. (Full reviews in Beer Index).
In between beers, my wife and I chomped on a ciabatta-breaded Turkey Club (with avocado, bacon and tomato) while watching the Sweet Sixteen tournament. Burgers, Fish Tacos and Mac & Cheese lead the American-styled pub menu.
On future endeavors during May and June 2017, discovered Burger Loft’s District 96 brews – currently crafted next door. Delectable fare seemingly inspired by highly recognized microbrewery, Hill Farmstead, the tight range of beers so far includes several India Pale Ales, pale ales and one kolsch (reviewed separately).
theburgerloft.com
On tap at Burger Loft, lusty mocha-smoked dark ale crowds lightly creamed dark-roasted chocolate malting and piney hop char with bourbon-tinged dark fruiting. Burnt caramel, coffee, molasses, Kahlua and cocoa undertones reinforce choco-latte finish. Gothic Addams Family vampiress, Morticia, would be proud.
On tap at Burger Loft, fantastic light-bodied joy retains crisply soft-toned citric spritz above cracker-like pale wheat malt base and grassy hop musk. Brisk lemon-orange zest spreads across Bosc pear neutrality, juicy tangerine tang and mandarin orange tease in a simple, yet wholly effective, manner. Best Kolsch: 2015.
On tap at Burger Loft, sour lemon-candied tartness picks up sweet orange-peeled pineapple, peach and apricot tones over peppery dry hopped herbage. Subtle banana-clove nuances flutter by just beneath the surface. Nearly perfect.