Politely dry-bodied ‘innovative ale’ with burnished chestnut hue retains lighter Extra Special Bitter profile. Subtly oak-aged vanilla, almond and coconut toastedness sweetens sharp hop spicing to mossy earthen bottom. Sedate orange oiling underscores ancillary rye wheat crisping. ’14 re-tasting on tap at Ginger Man, dry Scotch proficiency gave smooth English strong ale a more intriguing profile.
Adequate so-called ‘schwartz’ with limited floral IPA niceties labeled brewers’ darkest signature beer. Smoked mocha malting picks up vanilla, toffee and dark-roasted coffee leanings. Pine resin, anise and currant mildly embitter brown chocolate center. A bit unassertive and less robust than richer Cascadian Dark Ales, but viable for smoked porter-stout fans.
Faultily labeled a wintry seasonal since expectant Christmas spicing never makes a dent, losing out to astringent hop sopping and cardboard-like glass sugaring. Advertised coriander and orange peel influence nullified by ESB-like peat graining or helles bock-like wheat biscuit pleasantry. Murky orange-dried apricot-grape spell and phenol cinnamon-nutmeg spicing never catch on. Bet it’s way better on tap at Pike’s Seattle venue, though.
Robust Imperial Stout gains smoked molasses malting above dark chocolate richness, black licorice waver and coffee-roasted espresso smidgen. Soured prune-fig-plum conflux heightens musty Muscat-wined burgundy, bourbon, sherry and Merlot musk. Rye, soy and cocoa nibs illusions deepen resolve but, as with its earthen wining, strays from stylistic mocha-bound perimeters.
Deviously abstruse witbier hybrid spreads peppery orange spicing over honeyed woodruff syrup and herbaceous Belgian yeast funk. Cedar-chipped jasmine, honeysuckle and sunflower illusions provide floral backdrop. Citric herbal peppering may seem offbeat to less experimental tastes.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
