Busy ‘toxic sludge’ mix of dry-hopped crayon-wafted Black IPA works in stages. Initial coffee bean roast tethers herbal hop-oiled mesquite-grilled charcoal bittering temporarily concealing back-tongued dry fruiting. Creamy chocolate-seeded midst picks up surfacing grapefruit rind, fig, and apple pleasantries to contrast pine-charred earthen wood singe. Not for the faint of heart.
DEFIANT CHRISTMAS ALE
Eureka! Resolute generic-labeled reindeer-pointed 2010 bottled version of seasonal Belgian strong dark ale may shun usual Christmas spicing (nutmeg-cinnamon), but never lacks sufficient flavor profile. Fungi-soured yeast funk boosts raisin-pureed prune-stewed date nut breading. Belgian chocolate, blackstrap molasses, and burgundy illusions usurp candied apple, bruised orange, sugared fig, and blackberry fruiting alleviating dark-spiced cider sharpness, grape-skinned Merlot wining, and ashen walnut char. Initial recipe rearranged for each succeeding year.
DE MOLEN RASPUTIN IMPERIAL STOUT
Engaging Russian Imperial Stout (now sold under Cease & Desist name) matches punctual dried fruiting and subtle bourbon-burgundy tranquility to creamy chocolate-vanilla malting. Viscous anise goo deepens soy-sauced mocha resolve and mild hop-charred oatmeal graining. Date nut-breaded plum-raisin surge, earthen tobacco parch and latent hazelnut espresso bittering fill out busy full-bodied Dutch scallywag.
FLYING FISH EXIT 13 CHOCOLATE STOUT
Commendable flesh-headed mahogany-bodied ‘import-export’ stout utilizes Irish ale yeast and Belgian chocolate to propel robust full body. Creamy dark-roasted chocolate entry picks up immediate cocoa-chalked hazelnut coffee resilience and unexpected floral fruited frolic for rounded mouthfeel. Beneath, tar-like tobacco-stained wood-charred bittering seeps into vanilla-espresso conflux and docile blueberry-pureed black cherry rasp.
FULL SAIL SESSION BLACK LAGER
Amiable brown-bodied schwarzbier in pudgy brown bottle brings dewy rye-breaded molasses-smoked malting to dry black-purple grape souring, moldy fig-date-raisin astringency, reedy hop-charred cola-pecan-macadamia nuttiness and sneaky black cherry snips. Latent bourbon hints gain foothold above brown-sugared chocolate roast and earthen peat bottom.
KELSO ST. GOWANUS BELGIAN ALE
On tap, amiable amber-hazed dry-bodied cask-conditioned Belgian Golden/ American Pale Ale blend allows apple cider tea entry to inform white-peppered rosemary-thyme herbage and zesty Caracao-mandarin orange tartness. Mildewed earthen fungi, bitter chai tea spicing, oaken vanilla, and lemongrass consume backend.
L’ORGE DU BOUFFAY
Approachable dry-bodied saffron-hazed Biere De Garde brings soft-watered champagne-like carbonation to vinous grape souring, creamy Chardonnay buttering, and mossy mineral-grained grassy-hopped stead above polite herbaceous chamomile whim. Mild lemon tartness zips by. A subtler, blonder stylistic change of pace.
MENDOCINO OATMEAL STOUT
Robust lactose-aided jet-black winter seasonal competes favorably against best full-bodied oatmeal stouts marketed year-round. Creamy molasses-sapped black chocolate roast and wood-charred hop-oiled black coffee bittering saturate sharp hazelnut, walnut, and Brazil nut toasting to setback earthen peat grouting. Tertiary vanilla bean, raisin, black cherry, and anise illusions jut in and out.
POINT BELGIAN WHITE
Effervescent golden-hazed pilsner-malted Belgian-styled witbier retains thin light-bodied nature. Mild coriander spicing seeps into zesty Curacao orange peel bittering and subdued lemon meringue tartness, sidling yummy bubblegum sweetness contrasting banana-leafed plantain astringency to baguette-toasted white wheat bottom. Floral innuendoes adorn backend of refreshingly clean crisp-watered Seltzer-fizzed dilution.
PRETTY THINGS BABAYAGA SYLVAN STOUT
Robust ebony-hued full body lacquers molasses-soaked black cherry, black grape, and blackberry fruiting to liqueur-like anise gluten. Smoked rye malting deepens chocolate, vanilla, and espresso expectancy above tertiary rosemary-thyme herbage of hearty wood-smoked oats-charred winter seasonal.
ROGUE CHATOE OREGASMIC ALE
Nearly superb brass-hued pale ale brings creamy cake-battered almond buttering and sweet marzipan confection to spicy fruited hop plain. Ancillary aricot, peach, pear, apple and white grapefruit illusions ripen above biscuit-y bottom. Not far removed from Rogue Dead Guy Ale, though softer butterscotch billowing and milder hop bitterness more approachable for softer palates.
SARANAC OCTOBERFEST LAGER (2010)
Washed-out limited-release copper-toned autumnal marzen (with red lawnchair on label’s water scene denoting 2010 version) lacks sufficient spice-hopped crystal-malted front end, but picks up steam by sour citric midst. Lemon-bruised burnt orange mold dapples peach-dried cinnamon-cardamom-paprika tingle. Off-putting vegetal astringency held to a minimum.