On tap at Plank Pizza, uniquely hybridized rauchbier takes cannabis-derived blunt cigar flavoring to a new level. Dark-roasted mocha malting drapes dry Concord grape adjunct, tobacco-roasted peat smokiness and hash-oiled lupulin musk. Oak-smoked wheat influence, dank earthen soiling and charred walnut sear add depth.
On tap at Copper Mine, unique black-peppered saison loads Indian accents atop black patent malts, winey citric herbage and fern-like pine nut hints for semi-dry medium-full body. French saison yeast brings out spicy cumin, curry and cinnamon accents. Well-hidden 10.2% ABV allows varied flavor profile to fully form.
Excellent nitro version of increasingly popular milk stout maintains similar attributes of original, though resinous bullion hop bittering seeps deeper into dark-roasted chocolate malting and nutty coffee roast. Lactic sugaring contrasts raw molasses acridity, dry espresso milking and burnt wood wisp at downplayed black currant midst. Guinness fans should give it a go.
On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead, superbly constructed amber-coppered full body brings creamy milk-sugared coffee sweetness to amiable pale malt dryness. Lingered espresso roast nestles whipped-creamed cappuccino, caramel latte, hazelnut macchiato, vanilla latte and maple sap richness. Further tastings revealed black pepper hints. Teaming up with local Fairmount Coffee Roasters, Carton’s hybridized stout/ pale ale wins on all counts.
Reliably sessionable milk stout may only have 4% alcohol volume, but its expectant mocha richness and hop-charred grain roast will please any hearty dark ale fan. Lactic black chocolate entry picks up coarse coffee-oiled walnut and black currant illusions. Silken milky backend tethers medium-bodied easygoer.