Admirable medium-bodied pilsner with viscous yeast sediment given instant bright apricot juiciness topped by single malt Scotch persistence tethering rye-dried caramelized wheat base. Brewery defunct: 2001.
WOODSTOCK PALE ALE
Mild musty fruits, peaceful organic hops, and sourdough yeast reminiscent of delicious Wolaver’s Pale Ale. Flowery citrus notes enliven soft-grained crisp-watered finish. Brewery defunct: 2001.
WOODSTOCK LAGER
Grain bitterness is just too light to carry paper thin yeast sweetness and soft creamy malt follow-up. Simple, unassuming resin-hopped finish gives it the edge over mass produced macrobrews. Brewery defunct: 2001.
WOODSTOCK INDIA PALE ALE
Vibrant fruity aroma and syrupy medicinal mouthfeel get this organic brew off to a fine start. Flowery citrus hops embitter nutty depth countering maple malt sweetness to earthy finish. Not your typical smoky India Pale Ale by any means, though characteristic burnt wood chip flavor does add spunk. Brewery defunct: 2001.
WOODSTOCK HUDSON LAGER
Tangy orange peel bitterness and tart citrus mouthfeel are somewhat unusual for lager. Wine-y sourness abounds, but ultimately too many undefined adjuncts end up indistinct. Brewery defunct: 2001.
WOODSTOCK BRAVEHEART SCOTCH-STYLE ALE
Sweet barley-malted Scotch-grazed caramel frontage maintains syrupy creaminess. Bock-like in its full-bodied essence. Brewery defunct: 2001.
WOODSTOCK BIG INDIAN PORTER
Brewed with a combination of pale, crystal, chocolate, and black malts, this trusty porter retains sticky yeast sinew and bittersweet musty-grained mocha residue. Soft water fizz sops up creamy malt extract, endangering its appeal to stronger tastes. Not far removed from a dry oatmeal stout or lilting barleywine. Brewery defunct: 2001.
WOODFORDE’S NORFOLK WHERRY BEST BITTER
Satisfactory amber-clouded bottle-conditioned dry-hopped Bitter retains ripe cherry overtones, spritzy carbolic fizz, and fuzzy soft water flow. Sustained grain briskness, though moderated, recalls British pilsners.
WOODFORDE’S NORFOLK DARK ALE
Heavily carbonated, Scotch-wafted, bottle conditioned ale (a.k.a. Norfolk Nog) with foamy tan head creating web-like Brussels lace above amber body. Sourdough breading, toasted barley, earthen wild oats and bittersweet chocolate somehow form creamy soda-like consistency. Mild prune-fig coarsening settles above buttery bottom, countering fizzy flow. Problem: none of the assorted flavors maintain to informal finish.
WOLAVERS WILL STEVENS’ PUMPKIN ALE
Dry lemon-hopped souring disguises peppery pumpkin-spiced ambiance of ‘certified organic’ vegetable beer. Peculiar spoiled lemon frontage overwhelms sweet sugar-spiced cinnamon-nutmeg remnant and earthen fennel-carrot digression to metallic raw-grained finish.
WOLAVERS PALE ALE
First impression: lightly pined copper-hazed ale compared favorably to Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. Sinewy caramel yeast foundation provides perfect ‘tap beer’ essence while subtle nut bitterness firms up wheat-chaffed floral bouquet. Damp dry-hopped orange rind dankness envelops succinct mineral grain finish.
WOLAVERS OAK BARREL AGED INDIA PALE ALE
Tried on tap at brewery, this valiant limited edition oak-aged IPA offers dark-spiced citric setting, sugar maple sapping, and rum-soaked sherry finish. Bubblegum, banana, sliced peach, and cherry illusions round out full-bodied perfection.