On tap at Ambulance Brew House, exemplary limited edition (January ’15) ‘black’ tripel makes fine use of brown-sugared dried fruiting. Pureed raisin, sugared fig, prune and plum overtones ride above creamy caramel-chocolate malting. Tingly sugar-spiced sweetness contrasts dry bourbon tinge, heightening the relaxedly noir-ish mood.
On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead, hybridized 2015 tripel shows off Carton’s passionate open-minded exploitation. Bringing earthen white truffle leathering and Belgian candi-sugaring to tart orange marmalade midst, this unique medium-bodied change-up suits expandable palates. Vermouth, vodka and white wine undertones detected.
On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead and aged in French oak barrels, fruity wheat-malted moderation brings sour saison-like yellow fruiting to sweeter tropical fruiting, leaving peripheral champagne-fizzed Sauvignon Blanc wining at pepper-spiced sweet ‘n sour finish. Lemon and orange rot ensure sour end while pineapple, pear, apple and peach illusions pick up sugary crystal malt creaming. Well disguised 9.5% ABV allows vermouth and vodka hints to emerge.
On tap at Ambulance Brew House, soft Mosaic hop tropicalia traipses thru leathery brettanomyces-soured wild ale for truly sessionable light-bodied experience. Tart lemon and herbal lemongrass illusions pace the front end, picking up cologne-perfumed mango, guava, pineapple and papaya snips. Misty lemon zest freshness caresses the citric finish. Compost-wafted hay, straw and afalfa seep into the wispy mix.
On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead, rye-toasted red ale offshoot spreads its welcoming piney hop bitterness across tangy citrus zest and light sugared spicing, comparing favorably to mid-range IPA’s. Evergreen freshness enlightens navel orange, grapefruit, pineapple and apricot fruiting.
On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead, smoothly detailed and highly approachable Imperial India Pale Ale brings moderate spiced hops, toasted caramel malting and sugar cookie yeast to red, orange and yellow fruiting. Minor piney bittering freshens up grapefruit, navel orange and pineapple expectancy as well as tertiary apple, pear, peach, clementine and mango illusions. Sweeter than most hop-embittered IPA’s, its well hidden 8% ABV stays recessive, allowing the fruit-juiced finish to prosper.
On tap at Ambulance Brew House, crisply polished moderate-bodied pale lager utilizes highly concentrated citric hop oiling to ‘up’ the sour saison-like yellow fruiting. As gentle as a lamb, its floral-wafted German Polaris hop strain provides light lemony pineapple, papaya and guava illusions over soft pine tones and distant earthen musk.
On tap at Ambulance Brew House, delicate sunny day offering totally defines efficient California-styled pale ale style. Light floral hop spicing affects evenly dispersed navel orange, lemon, grapefruit, tangerine and pineapple tang, becoming a tad pine-dried by the zesty citric finish. Papery pale malting remains apprehensive, allowing subtle tropical fruiting to shine brightly above.
On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead, high-octane 2014 Imperial is Founders first lager in 12 years. Mighty 8.7% ABV provides strong ethanol influence to tropical India Pale Ale-like fruiting and resinous pine needling. Grapefruit peel-embittered orange rind, pineapple, nectarine and apple tang receives fragrant floral-perfumed waft. Sugary crystal malting sweetens loud citric-pined finish.
Satisfying medium-bodied dark ale places dry-roasted rye and chocolate malting above moderate charred hop bittering. Black chocolate, dark cocoa, toffee and coffee overtones dry out as ashen charcoal acridity rises. Distant blackberry and black cherry illusions flutter by. Minor phenol astringency found at lactic mocha finish.
Nebulous Louisiana farmhouse ale (brewed at Lazy Magnolia) lacks specificity and character. Sweet ‘n sour navel orange, grapefruit, tangerine, date and fig notions fade into raw-honeyed molasses breading. Leafy tea-like bottom provides musty earthiness.
Easygoing gold-cleared Czech pils provides pale malt dryness for toasted white bread neutrality and strawed maize acridity. Fizzy hop spicing and drab yellow-orange fruiting don’t help matters.
