Tag Archives: strong ale

UNIBROUE TERRIBLE DARK ALE

Noticeably darker than most Uni’s, this cocoa-headed, cascade-beaded, ruby-highlighted, brown-clouded dry body spreads lavender-rosemary fragrance above dried orange regalia, desolate prune-fig-pomegranate souring and latent coffee-roasted bite. Apple-grape-cherry-pear spree galvanizes diluted sherry-rum finish as metallic alcohol whir sullenly looms through bomber-bottled Belgian-styled strong ale.

AVERY COLLABORATION NOT LITIGATION ALE

Interestingly, Cali’s Russian River and Colorado’s Avery brewery’s both had rival Salvation ales in stock. Instead of litigating for brand name, the reputable microbreweries jointly crafted an alcohol-ridden intricacy. Candi-sugared Belgian yeast sweetens initial dried fig-raisin-date splurge, bruised banana-orange midst, and tertiary cherry-strawberry-peach twinge. At oak-aged brandy-like finish, dark rum-spiced cinnamon-clove-nutmeg illusions and vanilla bean-chicory notes find solace amongst fruity lucidity.

DOGFISH HEAD IMMORT ALE

Primal ’99 version of classic barleywine-styled ale proved worthy. Dynamic caramel-scented 11% alcohol-fueled ale with smoked cedar-oak enhancing lively clove-spiced hops, peat-smoked roasted barley, and chicory of idiosyncratic medicinal brew. Vanilla extract, maple, and vinous cherry inform acquired bourbon-burgundy finish that’s indeed nearly immortal.

KWAK ALE

Sold as Pauwel Kwak Specialty Ale in larger 22-ounce bottles, broad-ranging full-bodied bronze-toned ale retains snappy acidic brettanomyces bite that flattens creamy butterscotch opening, floral-herbed yeast serenade, juicy plum tartness and curried cherry-berry spicing. Mid-palate, fruity Chardonnay-brandy-rosé wining and tart red grape tannins secure tongue-tickling hop bittering, turning overtly alcohol-ridden by stiff finish. In 12-ounce bottle, mild butterscotch sweetness enjoins dried-fruited red wining and medicinal ethanol quirk to contrast sedate up-front profile.