KEUKA RUSSIAN IMPERIAL STOUT

Anomalous (limited edition) 2011 Imperial Stout (from Adirondack Mountains’ Finger Lakes region) forgoes stylistic sweet mocha malting for sourer varietal. Vinous dried fruiting secures dank cocoa-powdered Baker’s chocolate bittering as sour cherry, prune, plum and raisin undertones find space next to burnt coffee remnant. Even the black currant reminder beats out any noticeable brown chocolate sweetness.

 

SOUTHERN TIER BOURBON BARREL BACKBURNER IMPERIAL BARLEYWINE

On tap at Copper Mine, glorious bourbon-aged version of standard barleywine (14% alcohol volume) perfect as slow sipping nightcap. Creamy Belgian chocolate-spiced entry enjoins brown-sugared vanilla, butterscotch, toffee and coconut sweetness as well as rum-soaked cherry, fig, prune and banana niche. Oaken remnant seeps into mocha influence. A terrific step up from original ‘back burner.’ 

Southern Tier Bourbon Barrel Back Burner

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On tap at Copper Mine, outlandishly hybridized witbier adds peculiar cider-spiced whimsicality to candi-sugared citric mix. Ripe red apple riff echoes through peach-lacquered lemon custard sweetness, wavering orange-candied pineapple tartness and cayenne-peppered cilantro herbage, picking up tertiary marshmallow, banana and cotton candy illusions to enlighten presumed crystal malt base.  

ASS KISSER PORTER POUNDER SMOKED PORTER

Quite exquisite soft-toned smoked porter retains well-integrated bittersweet lactic mocha theme. Creamy dark chocolate-roasted maple sapping and peat-smoked cocoa malting ride above subtle wood-burnt hop sear to brown-sugared oats backdrop. Sweet vanilla, fudge and burnt toffee counter lightly embittered cocoa nibs/ Bakers chocolate conflux. Espresso coffee niche sidelined by peanut-shelled walnut, hazelnut and macadamia nuttiness as well as slightest tobacco roast. Strangely dirty earthen waft is inconsequential misnomer.

 

ROCK ART VERMONT MAPLE WHEAT ALE

Marginalized autumnal seasonal (brewed with maple syrup) needs better maple sapping, richer pastry-like malting and deeper honeyed wheat penetration. Syrupy sugared sinew sweetens bark-dried cedar-aged rum notch that fades way too fast to rancorous raw-honeyed dry hop astringency. Tinny finish disrupts latent chestnut, almond, pecan and toffee illusions. A nebulous disappointment less effective than Rogue’s similarly styled Voodoo Doughnut Bacon Maple Ale.

Rock Art Vermont Maple Wheat Ale - Where to Buy Near Me - BeerMenus

SUSQUEHANNA GOLDENCOLD LAGER

On tap at Pocono’s Log Cabin Bar, approachable German-styled session beer brings orange-nipped lemon spritz to grassy Hallertau-hopped bittering. Buttery crystal malt base softly underlines citric crispness. In the bottle, thin pilsner-malted German-styled pale lager lacks pizzazz. Astringent raw-honeyed sinew and phenol hop bittering pick up rancid buttery notion. Slurry citric-quince waver buried beneath unfulfilled flavor profile.

 

SUSQUEHANNA 6TH GENERATION STOCK ALE

On tap at Poconos’ Log Cabin Bar, stylistically robust and well balanced pale ale lavishes sharp perfumed hops onto viscous lacquered fruiting. Spicy lemon-peeled orange, peach, grapefruit and quince tones casually decorate doughy biscuit-like backdrop. A fine crossover to stronger IPA styling. Less efficient bottled version brings sheepish crystal-malted red, orange and yellow fruiting to spritzy dry-hopped spicing. Mild metallic astringency raids faded citric-spiced finish.

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ERIE DERAILED BLACK CHERRY ALE

Engaging ‘cherry-inspired’ cream ale makes for fine fruity malt beverage with its fizzy soda-like pop and sinewy corn syruping. Sweet and sour red cherry ripens fig-spiced apple, cranberry, raspberry, blueberry and strawberry illusions, settling into champagne-like Chambord liqueur slumber. Beneath, crayon-like plasticity seeps into astringent saison yeast profile.