Mellow mocha-bound ‘English old ale’ retains relaxing mocha nuttiness. Tobacco-roasted chestnut, almond and walnut illusions gain dewy peat mossing, light brown-sugared dried fruiting and mild maple molasses influence to uplift initial brown chocolate spicing. A subtle pleasantry.
On tap at Ambulance, cavernous barrel-aged strong ale (13.9% ABV) weaves luxurious bourbon vanilla sweetness thru fudgy brown chocolate resonance, molasses oats sugaring and lovely sherry-noir wining. Tertiary toffee, caramel, coconut, raisin and cookie dough illusions add depth. A beautifully designed digestif.
Briskly taut enigmatic ‘strong ale’ allows several disparate adjuncts to coexist in medium-bodied IPA-derived setting. Zesty lime resilience, juicy pineapple tanginess and sour pink guava sway receive treacly molasses sinew as latent cinnamon spicing mellows out perfumed-hopped lacquered wood varnishing of abstruse peculiarity.
‘Jewdicious’ (11 malts, hops and ABV) 22nd anniversary ale spreads luxurious brown-sugared dried fruiting over oats-flaked honeyed rye base, gaining spiced mocha pleasantries in the midst. Sweet dubbel-like prune, raisin and plum conflux contrasts dank cellar dewiness throughout.
Luxurious golden strong ale brewed with oats-flaked cocoa nibs prevails as “robust winter warmer.” Creamy chocolate-honeyed cocoa nibs and nutty coffee residue rub up against lightly citric pale ale sweetness to its fudgy finish. Black grape, fig and raisin illusions deepen its sweetness. In the backdrop, acidulated malts and alcohol esters integrate for teensy metallic singe.
Sublimely soft-toned Belgian strong ale (or souped-up amber ale) aged in rye, vermouth, port, rum, bourbon, red wine, gin and brandy barrels brings subtle complexities to the fore as recessive oak tannins create lightly vinous backdrop for caramelized dark fruiting. Black cherry, sugared fig, red grape, green raisin and plum illusions soak up brandied rum sweetness contrasting Scotch whiskey dryness.
Ambitious Belgian strong ale aged on French oak (and referenced as a biere de garde) brings wintry spices to the fore as candi-sugared nutmeg, clove, cardamom, star anise and ginger seasoning embellishes ripened dried fruiting as well as glazed pecan notions. Sarsaparilla and Jagermeister illusions sneak thru latent alcohol burn. A welcome winter warmer.
Busy as its eight-word namesake, lightly barrel-aged medium body embraces Mai Tai cocktail spirit with a salt-licked Margarita kick. Lime-peeled orange tartness sinks into tangy ‘pineapple and cherry pureed’ seduction above creamily caramelized malt toasting. Latent red grape sweetness and delicate sherry, Courvoisier and mull-spiced wine illusions increase complexity.
On tap at Brass Tap, fruitful 10.6% ABV strong ale combines candied pineapple sweetness and orange-bruised cantaloupe, melon-mango conflux with ethanol-laden hop astringency.
On tap at Growler & Gill, exuberant reddish-cleared liqueur-like Manhattan cocktail aged in bourbon barrels brings massive cherry juicing to vermouth-like sweetness. Medicinal cherry coughdrop midst picks up cherry cordial, cherry pie, Maraschino cherry and brandy illusions for syrupy sticky-sweet (14.1% ABV) strong ale. Inspired by the timeless cocktail, its feisty bottled version ‘harmoniously’ spreads chewy whiskey-soaked Maraschino cherry syruping all over its orange-bruised vermouth veneer. Medicinal cherry liqueur lacquers ancillary sugarplum, pecan pie, Cognac, Courvoisier and rum undertones.
On tap at Morris Tap & Grill, mildly creamed lactose-sugared vanilla icing coats cinnamon-toasted pastry sweetness of well-designed winterized dessert treat. Cinnamon apple pie crusting nearly conceals holiday-styled gingerbread, nutmeg and mulling spice illusions.
On tap at The Oath, jubilant 21st anniversary celebrator loads ten malts and eleven hops on pervasive 13.7% ABV luster. Bittersweet dried fruiting crowds musky hop-dried cherrywood finish. Raspy sugarplum, raisin, fig, black grape and Bing cherry illusions gain redcurrant smidge above chewy caramelized mocha malting.
