OMMEGANG RARE VOS AMBER ALE (CAFE-STYLE)

January 28, 2013Beers A-ZBelgian pale aleJohn Fortunato

Perfectly rounded and carefully updated cafe-styled Belgian pale ale squeezes advertised ‘sweet orange peel, grains of paradise and coriander’ into salt ‘n peppered mineral graining, musty cellar-like yeast funk and mild tea-leafed hop bittering. Lemon zest, nectarine, tangerine, peach and plum illusions fortify candi-sugared banana bubblegum latency of upscale amber ale.

JANDRAIN-JANDRENOUILLE IV SAISON

January 10, 2013Beers A-ZsaisonJohn Fortunato

Easygoing Belgian farmhouse ale scatters honeyed lemondrop souring across bubbly champagne grape prickle, musty white-peppered herbal fungi and molasses-draped black rye malts. Juicy pineapple, peach, banana, tangerine, nectarine and melon fruiting fortifies resinous lemongrass, chamomile, rosemary, thyme and sage undertones. Biscuit-y baked-breaded sourdough bottom stays firm.

LOST ABBEY WITCHES WIT

January 10, 2013Beers A-ZwitbierJohn Fortunato

Soft-toned lemon-limed honey spicing pleats mild yellow grapefruit bittering and prickly white-peppered floral hop perfuming to wheat-buttered sourdough base of yellow-clouded moderation. Gose-like salty coriander respite recalls soothing sour ale. Ancillary orange blossom, curacao orange, white peach, lemon curd, lemongrass, lemon verbena and marmalade illusions fill out backend nicely.

ST. FEUILLIEN/ GREEN FLASH BIERE DE L’AMITIE

January 10, 2013Beers A-ZBelgian pale aleJohn Fortunato

Worthy Belgo-American hybrid brings Belgian strong pale ale yeast spicing to stateside IPA fruiting. Brisk citric-peeled lemon souring saddles herbal tea spree and rye-smoked black chocolate malting. On tap, its lemony orange-peeled bittering sidles tart kumquat, papaya, crabapple and pineapple illusions above pine-nutty fern leafing.

HET SAS CHRISTMAS LEROY

January 10, 2013Beers A-Zwinter aleJohn Fortunato

Lacking wintry seasonal expectancy, but not character, hybridized Scotch Ale brings vague Christmas spicing to musty Belgian dark ale styling, padding its wayward brown-sugared cookie dough center with pallid grape, cherry, date and cola nut illusions. Vinous red wining found in peat-dried recess.

RENAISSANCE ELEMENTAL PORTER

January 10, 2013Beers A-Zmocha porterJohn Fortunato

Expressive ‘dark, rich and mellow’ English-styled New Zealander chock full of black chocolate-smoked malts, roasted coffee bean bittering, sour-milked cocoa powdering and peppery-hopped Baker’s chocolate tartness really hits the spot as a dryish dessert treat. Nutty vanilla remnant elevates mocha theme.

DOCK STREET LA BIERE DES AMIS SAISON

January 10, 2013Beers A-ZsaisonJohn Fortunato

Elegantly detailed and highly sessionable saison (with billowy white head above straw-paled body) brings farmhouse-styled airborne minerality to herbaceous citric fruiting. White-peppered lemon zest and yellow grapefruit souring seep inside leathery fresh-cut grassing as lemongrass, cardomom, basil and thyme fill out the midst. A terrific collaboration with France’s Thiriez Brasserie.

WEYERBACHER YANKEE ALE

January 10, 2013Beers A-Zold aleJohn Fortunato

Well calibrated mahogany-bronzed altbier hides lusty alcohol fueling beneath musty mocha malt profile and dark-spiced dried fruiting. Cherry, fig, date and banana reach a dewy earthen meadow and leafy hop field, picking up a mild vermouth kick on the autumnal trail. Not truly definitive, but close enough.

SUMMIT SAGA INDIA PALE ALE

January 10, 2013Beers A-Zindia pale aleJohn Fortunato

Spirited fruit-juiced front end picks up piney dry-hopped bittering, tart lemon-rotted souring and mild floral perfuming. Ripe apple, pear, peach, grapefruit, mango, kiwi, apricot and orange tang spreads rapidly across musty Czech pils-like malt bill. Lively Northwest IPA re-creates West Coast tropical forestry well.

FLYING DOG SINGLE HOP CENTENNIAL IMPERIAL IPA

January 10, 2013Beers A-Zimperial india pale aleJohn Fortunato

Judiciously flavored Alpha-hopped beauty (with hidden 10% alcohol luster) loads pine-fruited juiciness across floral juniper bittering to its biscuity dough bottom. Tropical mango-banana-pineapple-pear conflux and massive apple-candied sweetness contrast orange-peeled yellow grapefruit souring. Bright citric-floral Centennial hop aromatics prove stylishly authentic.

Flying Dog Single Hop Centennial Imperial IPA | BeerPulse

DOGFISH HEAD BIRRA ETRUSCA BRONZE ALE

January 10, 2013Beers A-Zstrong aleJohn Fortunato

On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead, curious copper-bronzed strong ale from ancient Afro-Italian recipe brings herb-spiced pomegranate juicing to hazelnut-floured chestnut honey, sarsaparilla-like Ethiopian myrrh resin, peppery patchouli-oiled hops and perfumed floral potpourri. Tart lemon-limed bruised lemon, tannic grape, green raisin and Granny Smith apple nuances increase upfront citric souring while contrasting mild cotton-candied sweetness.

Dogfish Head Birra Etrusca Bronze Ale joining Ancient Ale series

(DE PROEF) ZOETZUUR FLEMISH ALE

January 10, 2013Beers A-Zflanders red aleJohn Fortunato

Persuasive sour-candied Flanders Red styling brings lactic cherry-juiced tartness to vinous white-wined green grape, raspberry, cranberry and strawberry sentiments. Lemon-peppered hop bite picks up brettanomyces-like balsamic vinegaring, oaken vanilla resin and earthen barnyard acridity to contrast latent soda-fizzed Sangria-fruited red wining. Try in lieu of a cherry lollipop.

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