Lighter aspects of advertised ‘Wheat’ profile, plus the lack of expectant IPA-like piney grapefruit bittering, puts this closer to a damn fine juicy-fruited pale ale. Brisk pineapple ripeness infiltrates mild grassy-hopped pine comb bittering, allowing lemon zest, naval orange, clementine, tangerine and passion fruit summering to grab hold of crisply citric moderation perfectly complementing sunny afternoon activities.
SAMUEL ADAMS WEE HEAVY SCOTCH ALE
Arguably Sam Adams’ best 2011 newcomer, oak-aged full body gathers peat-smoked Scotch malting, hickory-seared maple sapping, burnt caramel sugaring and alcohol-stiffened bourbon whiskey warmth over hop-charred grain toasting. Ashy cedar singe penetrates tertiary black cherry, chocolate cake, rum-soaked raisin and cola nut illusions. It’s simply irresistible.
VICTORY DARK INTRIGUE
Smoothly exemplary bourbon-barreled version of excellent Storm King Imperial Stout brings chewy molasses malting and peat whiskey waft to softly creamed cocoa-buttered black chocolate setting. Oaken vanilla laces sweet blackberry-brandied Kahlua, crème de cocoa and pureed cherry illusions to soothing bourbon finish. A marvelous nightcap.
SAMUEL ADAMS THIRD VOYAGE DOUBLE I.P.A.
Despite heightened 8% alcohol volume, Voyage’s floral-hopped fruiting and mild dry-wooded bittering retain a more accessible soft-toned ambience (despite its augmented ‘double’ appellation). Sugary caramel malts saturate tangy peach, cherry, tangerine and grapefruit illusions. Mineral-grained Graham Cracker sweetness nips at the heels. 2012 re-tasting (Batch #1) retained luscious fruit-juiced piney-hopped resilience as sharp grapefruit peel bittering perfectly balanced tropical fruiting.
(JOLLY PUMPKIN) NOEL DE CALABAZA SPECIAL ALE
Majestic mahogany-hued Belgian strong ale, aged in oak barrels, could pass for a sour ale or saison instead of a hybridized Christmas seasonal. Cherry-soured green grape tannins bring vinous mouth-puckering tartness to lactic yeast funk, finishing with a water-crisped floral-fruited wining. Pinot noir, red zinfandel, sherry, sirah and rosé illusions deepen limestone-dried Granny Smith apple, green pear, cranberry and fig snip as well as floral chrysanthemum, lavender and lilac hints.
BACKLASH CONVERGENCE
DARK HORSE ONE OATMEAL STOUT
Reputable sienna-headed mahogany-toned full body with dry coffee-oiled entry picks up Blackstrap molasses bittering over toasted oats backbone. Peat-y compost waft never sullies walnut-charred peanut shelling or dark chocolate undertones. Tertiary bourbon, vanilla, espresso, cola nut, black cherry, and ashen tobacco illusions barely touch the surface as heavy black coffee density overrides rich mocha finish.
NEW HOLLAND CHARKOOTA RYE
Terrific ‘Smoked Doppelbock Lager’ brings velvety smooth hickory-charred molasses malting, cedar-chipped bourbon whiskey sweetness and surging black chocolate creaminess to cherry wood-smoked vigor. Tertiary black cherry, red grape, pecan and almond illusions secure mossy bottom. Bacon-greased maple sapping enriches sturdy mocha backend. Advertised rye flavoring drowned out by rich mocha density to no ill effect.
EPIC GALLOWAY PORTER
Patchy dark-roasted coffee sedation stays a tad watery. Mild cocoa-dried brown chocolate malting saturates espresso binge, tobacco singe and hazelnut smidge to earthen peat bottom. Charcoal-fueled burnt toast bittering and recessive dry port wining encumber tertiary molasses-vanilla conflux. Inessential.
CALDERA I.P.A.
Approachable, softer-toned, canned IPA glides down the throat smoothly, intimating an admirable pale ale crossover. Moderate grapefruit-peeled pine comb bittering given a juniper pinch, contrasting lively pineapple, peach, apple and apricot fruiting to crisply mineral-grained bottom. Floral hibiscus, rose and daisy illusions flutter by sessionable summer treat.
BLUE HILLS BLACK HOPS
Convincing mocha-centered hop goblin (with grain bill akin to German schwarzbier) deepens blackened molasses malting and brown-breaded dark chocolate roast with toasted hop char. Hesitant piney grapefruit bittering and resinous nuttiness reinforce smooth mocha creaminess. Coffee-roasted espresso backdrop and distant dark-fruited sedation fill out medium-full-bodied Cascadian Dark.
NOGNE O WINTER ALE
Luxuriously robust Norwegian strong dark ale for Christmas season (alias God Jul) gathers stout-like black chocolate, vanilla and maple-smoked molasses richness over dried-fruited gingerbread-allspice-coriander dalliance. Whiskey-daubed black cherry, prune and raisin illusions reinforce mocha-bound full body and crystalline Grimstad water brings silken nature to exemplary winter warmer.