Inspired by confectionery wreath-shaped King Cake, lactose spiced ale with sugar-frosted glaze plies wintry cinnamon-nutmeg seasoning to zesty orange-peeled lemon spritz for Mardis Gras celebration. Wispy light-roasted chestnut, butternut squash and pecan pie reminders bump up against Churro-like fried dough sweetness at pastry-like finish.
On tap at Ambulance, peppermint bark-dried stout brings subtle menthol minting to bittersweet cocoa nibs chalking as teasing burgundy, black grape and oaken vanilla illusions flutter. A tad too dry and murkily flavored.
On tap at Seven Lakes Station, lactose-bound cinnamon S’mores confection lets cocoa-nibbed vanilla beaning crest above fast dissolving marshmallow-sugared Graham Cracker honeying. Dark chocolate syruping and dark-roast coffee tones enrich chewy dessert fodder (with unexpected bruised black cherry tartness).
Curious Kosher deli sandwich knockoff proves to be a spicy rye-dried enticement as brown-sugared cured meat, mustard-seeded smoked salami and applewood-smoked bacon glazed by dainty Blackstrap molasses bittering. Black and red peppering as well as coriander-seeded curry snips singe smoke-spiced rye bread spine.
On tap at Ambulance, underwhelmingly thin doppelbock brings faded hazelnut, chestnut and praline subtleties to dewy molasses rye meadow leading to toasted brioche breading.
On tap at Schatzi’s – New Paltz, sourly brined mango Margarita with teasing tequila twist places agave-sugared orange peel sweetness alongside mango-salted green grape, guava and papaya tartness plus mild key lime bittering in lightly acidic setting.
On tap at Taphouse 15, creme de mint-laced dark chocolate frontage gains cinnamon-barked dried fruiting above dewy truffle earthiness. Beneath the monty chocolate surface, sour coffee stain contrasts sweet vanilla snip.
Luxurious Rocky Road ice cream knockoff embraces lactose-doused cacao nibs creaming for sweet marshmallow, almond and vanilla adjuncts. Its caramelized chocolate center receives creme brulee, hazelnut coffee, spiced toffee, anise and Amaretto splendor as well as sturdy dried fruiting (black cherry, stewed prune, green raisin and fig) over a Graham Cracker honeyed wheat spine – adding depth to the nutty marshmallow-kissed mocha insistence. A total revelation!
Zestful lemon-candied grapefruit peel and orange rind bittering and pineapple salted mango goodness gain dank wet-leafed resin and grassy floral wisps as liquid nitrogenated hops intensify brisk crisping. Pasty pale malting coats biscuity bottom at clean citrus-spiced finish.
Briskly fruited Cryo Cascade-hopped juiciness wades in ethanol vodka-like whirlpool (boozy 10% ABV) as moderate resinous pine bittering absorbs floral-spiced grapefruit rind, dried orange, pineapple, peach and mango flourishes. But pasty pale malt backing ransacked by slight cardboard edge.
On tap at Ambulance, formidable glazed donut dessert treat loads fudgy dark chocolate creaminess upon coffee-beaned cocoa nibs and lactic vanilla milking above its maple molasses oats spine. Distant coconut, chocolate pudding and cinnamon illusions fortify rich breakfast stout.
On tap at Ambulance, salted pineapple tang greeted by tart guava-mango conflux and mild lemon-limed bittering above desiccated pale malting.