Middle of the road ale has typical Catamount essence – a hint of hop-spiced bitterness and bland malted grain finish suited for lighter ale drinkers. Surprisingly, for an anniversary celebration, it lacks richness, bite, and character. Brewery defunct: 2002.

Cascading pearly bubbles form thick-headed web lace for robust rust amber-hued world class ale. Heavily concentrated yeast, spicy floral-bound citric hops and plush caramelized malts conjure equally impressive East Coast rival, Ipswich IPA. Grapefruit-peeled orange rind bittering gathers mild pecan-fig-date-raisin cluster, jettisoned cognac-almondine spell and sweet sugar pie sedation contrasted by astringent alcohol persuasion. In growler, spectral cereal-malted grapefruit peel bittering rises above apple-candied cherry, honeydew, and melon fruiting, leaving dark-roast hops to contain thrusting alcohol burn. On tap, through special auxiliary-hopping tube, deep piney evergreen freshness, currant notes, and perfumed fragrance absorb any styptic constraint.

Ticklish spice-hopped citric entry lingers through sugary spruce-tipped crystal malting, gaining heady bitterness reinforced by ancillary mocha-nut convergence. Tangy pink grapefruit, peach, strawberry, mango, apricot and pineapple tropicalia endures. On tap, sticky apple-candied caramel malting counters smoked piney hop sharpness, juniper berry bittering, and herbal fungi twinge. Orange-dried Grand Marnier and booze-soaked cherry illusions enhance tropical pineapple-grapefruit-papaya insistence.

Juicy peach-tangerine-berry-kiwi medley complements candied center and spruce-y pine nuance up-front. Then, toasted oats, flaked barley, powdered cereal, and laid-back yeast sweeten dry-hopped orange peel bitterness at back end for lissome moderate-bodied favorite.

Slightly suspect malt-sweetened IPA pays homage to Frank Zappa’s superlative Freak Out! album. Though nowhere near as monumental, or for that matter, spicy, as its tributary masterpiece, sticky sunset orange-hued elixir shelters floral spruce-tipped hops with pleasant nectarine-peach tang. Argumentatively, stylistically closer to citric-perfumed Pale Ale than smoky English-styled ‘India’ tag implies. Instead of expectant wood-burnt accents, toasted almond and pineapple-mandarin orange illusions coat chocolate-caramel malting.

Embittered citric frontage perfectly counters piney hop blackening as floral illusions and ambrosial nuances paint honeyed caramel corners. Lemon-peeled orange-dried  mango sweetness caresses aromatic evergreen permeation to mineral water base. ’09s hazier version featured Grateful Dead-styled label artwork and brisker hop intrigue. ’11s updated summer offering retained refreshingly juicy grapefruit rind bittering and brighter stone fruiting, besting previous efforts.

Incredible coppery-russet full body fills frontal lobe with expansively aromatic pine needle abruptness dominating lusty alcoholic front end. Deepening floral wheat setting receives spice-hopped rosewood bittering thusly absorbed by chewy cookie dough thickness and honeysuckle sweetness. Piney theme eventually evens out as vinous grape esters, dry lemon pith, and tertiary orange marmalade, peach melba, and grapefruit rind illusions rise above grassy bottom.

Dewy grains, billowed oats, and citric hops caress woody cherry-pine undercurrent of well-defined India Pale Ale. Lean finish relies on smoked barley dryness and fruity nuttiness.

Light watery variant (closer to slimly hopped pale ale) missing strong spiced-fruited bitterness and/or smoked wood ascent – usual IPA components. Disturbing phenolic nut char, skimpy banana taffy illusion and dank alcohol finish further deplete indistinct fink.

Busy hazy gold ale dedicated to fighter Killer Kielbasa complements initial phenol must with toasted barley, roasted nut, and burnt hops. Ripe tangerine tang and sunny lemon spritz underscore honeyed wheat seduction before herbal finish picks up emphatic orange rind bitterness and floral rosebud-dandelion accents.

Bitterly pepper-spiced orange frontage fortified promptly by wheat-honeyed Scotch malt thicket and dry hop frisk. Perfumed floral waft engulfs nose. Weird herbage undermines backend. An acquired taste, for sure. Brewery defunct: 2007.

Lively fruit aroma complements malted mocha resonation as citrus hop tang ascends. Pleasant bite lingers to moderately bitter orange rind finish. Sans mustiness, not far removed from summer ales.