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.
TERRAPIN DR. KRUNKLES WHITE FARMHOUSE IPA
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.
LA CUMBRE ELEVATED IPA
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.
THOMAS CREEK UP THE CREEK EXTREME I.P.A.
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.
FLYING DOG SECRET STASH HARVEST ALE – 2013
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.
LEINENKUGEL’S BIG EDDY UBER-OKTOBERFEST
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.
ROGUE BEARD BEER
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.
LAKE PLACID WOLF JAW WIT
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.
HENRY WEINHARD’S REDWOOD FLATS AMBER
Though generic and indistinct, casual moderation stays crisp and refreshing. Light caramelized graining and distant honeyed almond sedation contrast minor hop astringency to salty cardboard bottom.
(SIERRA BLANCA) RIO GRANDE PANCHO VERDE CHILE CERVEZA
Novel light lager brings mild roasted green chili peppering to soapy citric zest. Washed-out mandarin orange snip and tepid vegetal nuance fade at lingering soft-toned jalapeno-heated chili finish.
(SIERRA BLANCA) ROSWELL ALIEN AMBER ALE
Modest amber-coppered medium body with smug Area 51 moniker and unassuming flavor profile will please less discriminating tastes only. Lightly creamed toasted caramel malting segues into vague fig-dried grape souring and sweet apple-orange-tangerine conflux. Earthen dewiness contains barley-roasted chocolate cherry cordial whim, brittle hop-spiced tingle and brief chestnut snip.
ISOTOPES SLAMMIN’ AMBER
Heartier than its pale ale affiliation would suggest, bringing well-balanced English Bitter-like earthen dried fruiting to fungi-cellared vegetal bottom. Chocolate-roasted cocoa nibs and darting dark spices underpin musty dried fruiting. Sedate fig, date and plum dusting swallowed up by watery nature.
