Fine straw-hazed yeast-viscous Saison-styled farmhouse ale may ‘waft’ between cereal grained pilsner and funky Dutch lager, but its kaffir lime piquancy, precocious wildflower-honeysuckle mirage, and remedial tropical fruiting tell the story. Dry-hopped earthen barnyard bottom gains footing atop herbal thyme-rosemary-geranium sequence until acetous grapefruit rind, yellow grape skin, and apple-pear confluence overcome effervescent lemon meringue fizz, picking up candi-sugared butterscotch sweetness along the way. Quite approachable and easygoing when given chance to breathe.
THIRIEZ AMBER FARMHOUSE ALE
Highly carbolic fizz-crackling gossamer-like pearl-headed moderate body leaves ample lace along glass siding. Spritzy lemon zest, fuzzy apricot-nectarine tang, and spiced Granny Smith apple tartness fade into raw wheat-chaffed spine. Dank barnyard waft permeates mildewed yeast imprint, sopping up rising banana-butterscotch swirl, sparse raisin-fig dryness, and distant cardamom-coriander-cinnamon spicing.
THIRD COAST OLD ALE
Suspended yeast particles and sunny lemon turbidity welcome sassy spruce-hopped mineral-grained bitter. Molasses-caramel malts and black licorice counter lemony green apple finish to biscuit bottom. Richer and more complex than most easygoing blonde ales.
THE UNDERGROUND PREMIUM ALE
Dark rust-hued brew buttresses perfumed hop aroma, nutty mocha bitterness, and barley-roasted graining with buttery malt perusal, nicking brown ale styling. Only disappointment comes when lingering sweet ‘n’ sour balance dips below shallow watery texture, giving soft finish neutral blandness.
THE UNDERGROUND OLDE SUDBURY PREMIUM ALE
Light, watery, unobtrusive New England ale brags about its ‘hoppy’ 19th century history. Bitter nuttiness forms at back of the throat but slim fruitiness, spritzy carbonation, and unstable barleymalt spine lack assertiveness. For amateurs ready to crossover from run of the mill pilsners to microbrewed ales only.
THE UNDERGROUND HIPPIE-JIM’S YELLOW SUBMARINE PALE ALE
Hippie chic psychedelic bee label, citrus-y ‘Hempen Ale’ aroma, and fruited pale malts confront bitter-grained luster for rich frothy-headed complexity. Heavy Brussels lace coats the top as yeast sediment cakes the bottom of mellow Beatles-inspired curiosity.
THE UNDERGROUND DIRTY BLONDE PREMIUM ALE
Flat auburn-bodied short-headed blonde greeted by gently watered dirty grains before soft hop fizz and aromatic fruitiness brighten otherwise sterile finish.
THE SHED MOUNTAIN ALE
Surging tar-coal-tobacco chew acerbity imbues heartily bitter walnut-hued ‘strong American Ale,’ deepening hop-charred smoked wood buttress ’til clean spring water finish prevails. Resinous black chocolate, licorice, and fig add soured resilience.
THE RAVEN SPECIAL LAGER
Bright golden amber brings raspy spice-hop bitterness to wheat-roasted cereal grain sweetness. Noticeable sinewy yeast texture increases resolve and insinuating red-fruited spiciness puts it closer to a red ale.
THE PEOPLE’S PINT PIED PIPA ALE
Dry Cascade-hopped bottle conditioned IPA finds unique groove, offering woody bark-twig facade, blaring peppercorn spicing, and resinous smoked salami dirge to aromatic floral citric mustiness. Only its sneaky apricot tang seems conventional.
THE PEOPLE’S PINT E.S.B. PALE ALE
Bittersweet brown chocolate theme picks up minor sour grapefruit-lemon tinge and frail vegetal smear, leaving coppery dry body astringently metallic by mocha finish.
THE DUCK-RABBIT MILK STOUT
Perhaps spoofing Bugs Bunny’s ‘duck season/ rabbit season’ cartoon segment, this Carolinian brewers’ full-bodied lactose-aided jet black stout takes burnt coffee insurgence to oats-charred dark chocolate milking and dry roasted grain mellowing. Polite bitter-hopped toasting corresponds to coffee bean duration, picking up almond-walnut illusions and char-coaled pine tar smidgen for earthy bottom, but mild finish counters dark mocha flavoring with brisk fresh water cleanness.