Quirkily herbaceous sour-fruited saison places white-peppered perfume hops and sour lemony orange respite above oats-sweetened torrified wheat spine. Mild acetone lacquering unexpectedly affects wispy banana-clove sweetness and vapid apple-peach conflux. Grainy barnyard acridity seals off-dry template.
Divine bourbon-barreled strong ale absolutely delights the senses with its chewy mocha-enriched dried fruiting drenching whiskey-toned bourbon affluence above oaken vanilla resonance. Creamy brown chocolate-sweetened dark caramel malting emphatically enriches fig-sugared raisin, plum, black grape and bruised cherry ripeness. Rum-spiced brandy, sherry, port and burgundy undertones nip at the syrupy maple-sapped molasses bottom. Tertiary pecan, coconut and cola illusions add even more luster. Another world-class Lost Abbey ‘malt beverage.’
On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead, approachable copper-based autumnal hybrid retains buttery vanilla creamed crystal malting to abut vegetal pumpkin meat roast. Advertised orange-oiled pink peppercorn seasoning stays below candied ginger herbage, lemon saffron oiling and sugary gin-rummy ethers (produced by hefty 9% alcohol volume). Vodka-wafted rubbing alcohol waft increases ethanol burn, but supple cream ale never succumbs to acrid liquor-based phenolics.
On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead, murky mineral-watered moderate body spreads stylistic coriander-salted lemongrass wisp atop musty lemon-dried orange briskness and delicate rye-breaded pale malting. Briny clam influence affects cellared fungi musk.
On tap at 381 Main, bold 2013 fall seasonal (featured at New Jersey Devils hockey games) retains stylistic caramel-toasted fruit spicing above brisk Simcoe hop bite. Orange-dried apple, apricot and tangerine tang secures honeyed wheat spine. On tap at Cloverleaf, ’15 version increases sharp IPA-like fruiting and piney hop bittering, tightening up its orange-peeled grapefruit piquancy and tangy peach-pineapple-mango conflux.
On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead, approachable ‘side project’ provides witbier-spiced farmhouse yeast to zesty citric breeze. White peppercorn, as well as lesser coriander and allspice seasoning, drapes lemon-peeled mandarin orange, pineapple and peach illusions above sugary rum lacquer. Serve to fruitier pale ale imbibers.
Superb flagship IPA in a can adapts brisk West Coast fruiting for pine-spruced Colorado freshness. Pleasant pine-needled bittering serenely contrasts sugary crystal-malted citrus-juiced tropicalia. Everlasting hemp-oiled evergreen setting softly lingers, picking up grassy floral hop bouquet to elevate ripe pineapple, peach, pear, mango, tangerine and melon sweetness as well as lemon-dropped orange marmalade riffs. Botanical dandelion, rose and lavender nuances simmer below the balanced mix. An amazingly consistent and wonderfully debonair offering.
Noble India Pale Ale changeup relies less on piney fruiting than usual upscale competitors. Bountiful caramel-burnt dark chocolate roast sweetens above less imposing wood-charred oats roast. Syrupy chocolate-dipped red grapefruit, pineapple, cherry and grape medley provides fondue-like luster. Ancillary prune, fig and date notions fill the backend.
Ever-evolving recipe takes on easygoing citric-spiced Belgian single styling for 2013. Fungi-like white-peppered yeast funk affects brisk lemon-soured orange zest and tea-leafed lemon verbena spicing above biscuity rye-malted spine. Crystalline mineral water crisping provides clean backdrop to mellow yellow-fruited moderation.
On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead, boundless fall fest fodder (with bold 8.5% alcohol ethers) brings boozy intensity to herbal fruited entry. Syrupy nectar-honeydew glaze and sugary banana-bruised vanilla sweetness override caramelized malting. Weird botanical herbage positively affects dry-hopped fruited plain.
On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead, kitschy gold-hazed moderation stuffs brewers’ wild bearded yeast into soft white-peppered citric zest and vanilla-spiced banana, clove and bubblegum respite. Floral coriander-cardamom sweetens herbal lemon tartness beneath.
Marginal Belgian-styled witbier with modest hefeweizen-like banana-clove enticement lathering orange-peeled coriander theme. Understated lemon-candied citrus tartness picks up welcomed sourdough snip, but delicate spice-fruited finish lacks resolve.
