On tap at Biggie’s, mighty fine high octane 2017 (11% ABV) version of Christmastime Belgian dark ale boasts heightened ethanol esters, darker rub red hue and intensified Bing cherry essence as well as more refined wildflower-honeyed astringency. Distant cinnamon, clove and allspice seasoning sweetens treacly backend alongside sugarplum, cocoa and pine nut nuances.
On tap at Ambulance, dandy Christmastime Belgian Strong Ale (9.5% ABV) tweaks honeyed chocolate, caramel and toffee malting with candi-sugared tart cherries. Beneath light molasses-draped mocha malt spicing lies vanilla-sweetened banana, raisin, date and fig illusions escalated by rummy 8% alcohol burn.
On tap at Taphouse 15, welcoming hybridized Belgian Dark Ale (sans “cherries and honey” of original Christmastime elixir) retains syrupy dark fruiting and candi-sugared Vienna malt spine. Sugar plum, fig, date and raisin illusions pick up sinewy orange-bruised liqueur warmth. Just a tad dryer and less complex than Troegs Mad Elf.
On tap at Ambulance, luscious fruit-soured ale finishes like a raspberry-filled dark chocolate cake. Lightly soured raspberry candy tartness gains Belgian-like candi sugaring to contrast plum-dried lemon pucker above raw wheat-oats spine.
Imaginative ‘mixed fermentation’ allows stylish dried fruit spicing to get sour aged in sherry casks and be affected by moderate brettanomyces acidity. Desiccated prune, date and fig tones receive sour lemon juicing as mildly vinous green grape esters, oaken cherry dryness and latent cider pucker bring leathery respite to fizzy seltzer flow.
On tap at Taphouse 15, delightful Belgian dark ale brings Muscovado brown sugaring to candy-coated fig, plum and black cherry sweetness as well as casual spice hops and honeyed barley roast.
Fine auburn-browned “Abbey”-styled medium body in a can. Belgian candi-sugared yeast sweetness reinforced by mildly creamed chocolate malting as well as burgundy-dried raisin and banana fruiting. Wispy chestnut, butternut and pecan undertones add subtle warmth to rounded Belgian-styled New Yorker.
Fine coffee-infused Belgian dark ale brings cellar-like yeast musk to nutty Costa Rican coffee roast, steadfast Belgian chocolate spicing and burnt caramel licks. Subsidiary burgundy-wined fig, raisin and chestnut sweetness gains mild vanilla nudge while well-watered dewy peat earthiness grounds its piquant mocha molasses finish.
On tap at Andy’s Corner Bar, creamy brown-bodied Belgian dark ale (limited edition – 2017) makes fine winter warmer. Ripe fig and raisin adjuncts enjoin burgundy-wined black cherry, prune and banana fruiting above mocha-spiced molasses bread sweetness. Dark Belgian candi syrup thickens the mocha fruited frontage.
On tap at Julian’s, exquisite Belgian dark ale utilizes Alsacian wine yeast to propel fruit-caked dried fruiting of subtle 9.7% ABV elixir. Mild burgundy-wined fig, prune, green raisin, red cherry and blackberry illusions sashay across ephemeral honeyed chocolate whim with calming warmth.
Heavily alcoholic winter brew will throw you for a loop. Honeyed malt rumination, ester-y citric mustiness, stewed prune spew, and methyl cherry splurge lead to tangerine liqueur finish and cocoa buttered barleywine aftertaste.