On tap at Hoover’s Tavern (from pink handle), easygoing Citra-Sultana-Sabro-hopped NEIPA takes a “powerful spin” on original Pulp Art circa ’23. “Bolder and juicier,” its orange-peeled grapefruit tang zings lemon-limed passionfruit, mango and guava salting plus peachy clementine sweetness in lightly creamed oated wheat setting. Dank cannabis resin and mild dry pining secure the tropical delight.
Maybe the most easygoing, soft-toned, dry-bodied NEIPA ever. Misty grapefruit-peeled mandarin orange and clementine sparkle, subtle lemon-limed pineapple zesting and floral-spiced caramel malting contrasted sparingly by teasingly bitter pine needling. On tap at Rebar – Lodi, pop art-inspired tropical zester stays briskly clean as lemony orange-tangerine tang receives dry hemp-like hop resin above papery pale malt spine.
An essential part of Williamsburg’s Renaissance, BROOKLYN BREWERY is located alongside Brooklyn Bowl and one block down from Mc Carren Park in the heart of hipsterville.
Opened during 1988 and gaining tremendous exposure from world renowned brewmeister, Garrett Oliver, Brooklyn Brewery makes one of the finest lagers ever invented – for starters.
During July ’19 on a sweltering Friday evening before my High Times softball game, I got to once again peruse the mighty warehoused pub. Inside a rustic brick-walled space with several community tables and a 30-seat U-shaped wood-top bar with silver mash frontage, this large watering hole features multiple draught taps. A makeshift stage area with colorfully painted mural fills the far left bar area.
Tonight, I grab the four-sampler package with previously untried suds (Petite IPA, Come As You Weary English Dark Mild, 1,001 Nights Saison and Stonewall Inn IPA) alongside a pint of complex Sherry-aged cocktail-styled barleywine, Capataz. All are reviewed at Beer Index.
brooklynbrewery.com
Highly complex barleywine aged in Ximinez and Amantillado sherry barrels (with hidden 11.3 ABV) loads tannic red wine goodness upon caramelized dried fruited sweetness. Muscat grape, dried cherry, sugared fig, stewed prune and currant illusions gather strength alongside rich chocolate malting for awesome velvety cocktail.
Juicily sessionable lo-cal moderation brings dry Cascade-Simcoe hop urgency to wispy pale malt sugaring and spritzy lemon Seltzer splash. Mildly effervescent orange-peeled grapefruit rind bittering contrasts slight grassy hop astringency and dainty wood tones.
Demure Citra-hopped moderation celebrating Stonewall Inn’s 50th Anniversary for gay rights retains spectral flavor profile reminiscent of prideful rainbow coalition. Juicy grapefruit-peeled orange tang and sweet pineapple-peach-tangerine-mango tropicalia provide mellowly fruitful presence for grassy-hopped pine needling and mild juniper bittering of sessionable celebrator.
“Heady saison” plies lacquered varnishing to dried lime, cardamom and honey blossom adjuncts, gaining ginger affluence as well as herbal lemongrass-sage-thyme seasoning and floral lavender-lilac-jasmine snips by the busy finish of botanical farmhouse ale.
On tap at Brooklyn Brewery, delectable English dark mild ale brings sweet dewy peat mossing to cocoa-powdered chocolate malting and sweetish dried fruiting over biscuity barley base in finest stylish fashion.
Soft-toned mandarin orange essence brings zesty pleasantry to mildly creamed clear-yellowed limited edition (2018) moderation. Sweet orange-peeled tangerine, clementine and grapefruit continuance gains mild floral sweetness to counter wispy Simcoe-hopped pining over delicate white bread base.
Sweet Kentucky bourbon licks subtly embellish medium-roast coffee theme that’s nearly overwhelmed by dark chocolate spicing and creamy vanilla sugaring. Try in lieu of cream-sugared coffee in the morning.
On tap at Biggie’s, mild dry-hopped sour ale brings saltwatered lemon twist, vinous white grape tannins and snippy green apple pucker to delicate pale wheat malting. Slightly sharp citrus tang embraces lightly acidic lactobacillus souring at the white winey finish.
On tap at Craft House, fascinating barrel-aged rye ale with botanicals and bitters reminiscent of a sugar-spiced gingerbread cookie on first sip. Dry WhistlePig rye whiskey malting deepens ‘classic cocktail,’ as light orange and lemon-peeled gentian root bittering contrasts mild cherry-juiced cinnamon, nutmeg, coriander and clove adjuncts as well as wispy Belgian candi-sugared bourbon vanilla syruping. High end 19th century-derived 10% ABV liqueur perfect for the holidays.
