On tap at Taphouse 15, lovely apple-brandied Buffalo Trace bourbon and rye influence coats coffee-creamed brown chocolate contingent. Sweet candy apple glaze fortifies spicy cognac finish. Exquisite.
All posts by John Fortunato
CENTRAL WATERS BREWERS RESERVE BOURBON BARREL STOUT
On tap at Growler & Gill, Central Water’s ‘most sought after’ elixir lathers sweet bourbon warmth all over oaken vanilla, brown chocolate and whiskeyed burgundy pleasantries. Brown-sugared cherry, plum and prune illusions consume creamy toffee-candied caramel midst before boozy bourbon coffee finish further enriches chocolate-coated dried fruiting.
LOUGH GILL SPEAR (2023) IRISH WHISKEY BARRELED IMPERIAL OATMEAL STOUT
On tap at Taphouse 15, robust Irish whiskey-aged stout with coffee-roasted dark chocolate frontage and sweet bourbon boozing (13% ABV) reaching treacly molasses oats base. Milk-sugared coffee sweetness sustains while oaken vanilla center caresses tertiary dried cherry, red plum and glazed fig illusions plus brief cinnamon spicing.
DU CLAW THE PASTRYARCHY CANDY CANE IMPERIAL STOUT
York Peppermint Patty knockoff under the guise of a lactic dry Irish stout lets its bittersweet Tahitian vanilla bean luster settle alongside green-minted dark chocolate candied sugaring – picking up latent cola, hazelnut and anise illusions, distant maple oats flaking and nifty Brownies confection against mild charred hop bittering. A wonderful chocolate mint dessert pastry liquified.
TWELVE PERCENT A QUARTER FOR THE JUKEBOX OATMEAL STOUT WITH VANILLA
Sugary French vanilla creaming contrasts coffee-burnt dark chocolate malting as mild molasses oats underscore. In the distance, dark cherry and black grape fruiting plus mild cola nuttiness hide out.
THREE 3’S LUMBERJACK BRUNCH STOUT
On tap at Hoover’s Tavern, treacly Vermont maple syruping lightly coats brown sugared cinnamon stick sweetness and smoky dark chocolate bittering, picking up chocolate orange caking, salted peanut shelling, mild light-roast coffee spell and burnt caramel nip for slightly hectic mix.
DROWNED LANDS CARLOW IRISH STOUT
On tap at Growler & Gill, dry Irish stout maintains bitterer stylistic rampage as dark chocolatey black coffee nuttiness and treacly Blackstrap molasses acridity receive wood-burnt hop char above barley-flaked unsweetened Bakers chocolate base.
BOLERO SNORT DUBLIN OR NOTHIN
Dry Irish stout retains dark-roast coffee bittering and musky black chocolate continuance as charcoal-singed hop nuttiness and black grape must advance sharp mocha bitterness.
GHOST HAWK STARLIGHT OBLIVION SESSION STOUT
Bitterer stout lovers will indulge this black chocolate embittered full body and its piney Centennial-Simcoe hop char. Dark-roast mocha malting picks up seared walnut and Brazil nut influence as well.
NOTCH KOLSCH
On tap at Taphouse 15, highly touted dry kolsch allows sour lemon rot to penetrate peppery hop fizz and floral-daubed herbal spicing above crackery sourdough breading. ‘Cologne-styled’ moderation stays pleasantly effervescent, but its lemony souring may preclude some thirsts.
PHASE THREE / WELDWERKS COCONUT CLUB PINA COLADA-INSPIRED FRUITED SOUR
On tap at Taphouse 15, tropical fruited sour collab brings creamy coconut sweetness to tart pineapple zing, tangy orange splat and limey calamansi twist for fine Pina Colada knockoff.
TWO ROADS LUSHEEE PASSION FRUIT TART ALE
Slightly tart fruit-forward sour ale risks finishing stingingly acidic instead of citric sharp. Puckered lemony passionfruit tartness gains spritzy lime zesting, mild guava tang and dry white wine vinegaring. Sourer than tart.
