Decent, if unassuming, mineral-grained ale goes down smooth and creamy, leaving lingering barley wheat imprint but in need of better up-front fruited hop luster. Brewery defunct: 2006

Imbibed in Cambridge at 99 Restaurant & Pub, this spice-hopped amber ale with moderate bitter-grained spine softens to delicate orange-tangerine-induced finish, retaining faded spiciness casual drinkers will find smooth and heartier thirsts will compare to less malt-y Bass Ale or less involving Sam Adams Pale Ale. Brewery defunct: 2006.

Spice-hopped sour malt tempest obtrudes off-dry grassy-hopped wheat-cracked horsehide-hay lathering, abating supine sweetness prematurely as carbonation flattens to dismal aftertaste.

From the beautiful Adirondack Springs comes this slowly aged cold winter refresher. Aromatic chocolate malts and smoked grains obstructed by deflective carbolic fizz blocking full-bodied nature. Bet it’s a 4 star winner on tap since bottled versions of Saranac ales lose more character (especially maple and yeast) than most other brews.

Quaffed at San Diego’s Seaport Village’s Asaggio, a Chicago-styled thick-crust pizza joint with Cubs-Sox-Bears memorabilia. Replacing same-named E.S.B. listed below, this pleasurable medium body sweetens its cracked wheat spine with apple-pear-apricot fruiting to counter snuggly orange-peeled bittering. Honeyed oats gird mild caramel malt creaminess.

Russet amber with soda-like flow and bottoming sediment clumps registers caramel-mocha thickness. Sweet barleymalts, sticky yeast sinew, and tangy citrus notes exhibit fertile richness not far removed from ‘busier’ red ales. Brewery defunct: 2002.

Bottle conditioned tan-headed amber brings rye-dried honeyed malt coalition to unripe fruited souring. Spicy Saaz hops fortify delicate bittersweet chocolate endurance.

Like fine champagne, took whiff of cork to predict worthiness. Prevalent sweet wine refinement offers exquisite tangy grape sharpness and vinous dry oak tartness to expedient grain-enriched yeast heft. Sip foamy-headed amber-hazed pleasantry slowly to enjoy every ounce.

While label claims Ark Angel is rich in taste and color, it will not scare away tidy pilsner lovers. Ale heads will quickly discover yummy chocolate-coated thickness and spiced-hop bottom. Not as heavy as a porter, allowing it to go down light and easy. Brewery defunct: 2006.

Delectable sweet honeyed malt opening serenades cognate barley-roasted flaked oats nicety. Affluent piney grapefruit midst strengthens graininess, but bitter hop finish needs more aggression.

Wafting spice hops softly embitter creamy caramel malting and buttery biscuit linger, invading the senses for middle of the road medium-bodied amber. Decent barleymalt finish rounds things out, but lack of body keeps this from getting two paws up.

Crisp dark amber libation retains firm wheat-husked barley thrust  to caramelized finish underscored by citric-spoiled spicy hop bitterness.