WIDMER BROTHERS FALCONER’S IPA

Perfectly sessionable moderate-bodied India Pale Ale (with lighter stylistic piney hop bittering) ups the biscuit-y wheat cracker sugaring to compete equally against expectant pineapple-grapefruit-orange tang. Helles bock-like almond-pecan roast and marzipan-sweetened candied apple frisk take ancillary positions. Some minor phenol astringency deters bright citric finish, but not by much. 

   

ABITA ABBEY ALE

Inviting auburn-browned Belgian dubbel brings bittersweet raisin-pureed bruised banana to clove-spiced hop sharpness and mossy fungi earthiness. Brown-sugared stewed prune, dark cherry and pecan illusions contrast vinous black grape souring above musty cellar funk. Creamy caramel finish retains chewy dried fruiting. On tap, enjoyable candi-sugared dubbel blends sweet ‘n sour cider pucker into creamy caramel malting and wintry clove-gingerbread spicing. Lingering white peppered hop sharpness usurps peat-mossy red grape, fig, and raisin subsidy.

Abbey Ale - Abita Brewing Company - Untappd

SQUATTERS HOP RISING DOUBLE INDIA PALE ALE

On tap at Aidan’s, Utah brewery’s flagship beer succeeds at making bitter hop-head fare approachable for general consumption. Inviting floral-citric medium body contrasts brusque juniper-hopped grapefruit bittering and resinous pine sapping with tangy orange-tangerine-mango-pineapple fruiting. A glint of lemon zest crystallizes the citra-hopped finish. Heady vodka-like 9% alcohol volume intensifies bitter lupulin influence (but not at the expense of its rounded mouthfeel).