A soft-tongued, dry-toned, bronze-bodied, English dark mild ale. Feisty-named Brawler Pugilist brings brown-sugared, raisin-greened, port-sauced plum-fig-apricot illusions to coffee-iced chocolate nibs duskiness, picking up ashen nuttiness as well as chamomile tea herbage along the way. It’s claim as a pugilist styled ale may be a bit overstated for such a calming moderation. Perhaps, it’s only supposed to be a welterweight boxer they’re trying to emulate.

Fluctuant Belgian dark ale brings aromatic cider souring to dry-hopped herbal citric tranquility. Bruised lemon, green apple, dried fig, red currant, and oaken grape esters inform unassuming 12% alcohol luster of bronzed grist-grained medium body. Marinated tealeaf finish secures refermented-in-the-bottle fizzle.

‘Rustic’ tan-headed brown-bodied dark ale retains Sugar Daddy appeal above nutty maple malting. Chocolate-y cocoa creaminess lingers through sour-fruited raisin-fig-date tartness and hop-roasted cola-macadamia-hazelnut nuttiness. Frothy molasses-sapped black cherry, blackberry, vanilla, coconut, and coffee ice cream illusions sweeten busy backend to oats-toasted almond-buttered toffee-candied finish.

Lavish candi-sugared Belgian-styled dark ale much closer to warm barleywine. Rich orange-bruised cherry puree uprising, sweet caramel apple bounty and tertiary banana-pineapple-mango tropicalia enhance whiskey-slurred bourbon-burgundy-brandy boozing. Brown chocolate-spiced continuance heightens rum-soaked raisin, plum, fig, and date fruiting. Luscious dessert treat is perfect as a nightcap.

Kitsch-y oak-aged Belgian-styled ’09-initiated dark ale boasts candi-sugared barleywine-spirited complexity elevating compost-wafted cola-hued oak-chipped full body. Expansive cinnamon toasting drapes Belgian chocolate, banana bread, cherry puree, sugar plum and dried fig seduction. Bruised orange sweetness contrasting mild grapefruit rind bittering never ransack creamy rum-spiced brown-sugared vanilla uprising and toffee-glazed recess. Tertiary cookie dough, buttered pecan, and almond illusions cake everlastingly creamy molasses-chocolate-cocoa malting.

On tap, robust cola-hued dry-bodied Belgian wit/black beer merger leans towards darker side. Sharp chocolate nuttiness fends off hop-roasted black coffee bittering and wood-burnt charcoal tarring before candi-sugared crystal-malted cherry puree, prune, and plum illusions provide sweet counteractive splendor. Bourbon warmth mellows cocoa nibs-informed mocha finish.

Though lacking distinct character, cascading brown-bodied tan-headed Belgian-style dark ale (with yeast speckles) retains heartiness. Medicinal candi-sugared dark-fruited intrigue fades into fleeting cinnamon-spiced chocolate midst. Sour wildflower honey acerbity upends ginger-clove nuances as well as underutilized citrus peel bittering.

Generic honey-browned ruby-tinged German-styled altbier from Vietnam tosses soured chocolate malt astringency across rice-sweetened powdery cocoa parch. Metallic cardboard ridge depletes mild raisin-date snip and raw molasses acridity. Frisky 5% alcohol range, relatively high for Asian brew, never impinges.

Sweet chocolate malt opening pervades pallid dry hop sedation and mineral grain backbone. Ashy mocha-chalked mushroom earthiness furnishes casual barley-roasted finish with mellow resonance.

Middling opaquely russet, musty barnyard-scented medium body pits initial honeyed candi sugar rush against tart cherry esters, cork-y grape-skin parch, and soured prune uprising. Oncoming metallic pecan astringency mires faint barleywine finish, drenching oaken-dried backdrop.

Along with Guinness, Ayinger, Sam Smith, Rogue, and a host of Belgian breweries, Ipswich remains one of the finest beer and ale producers in the world. This burnt sienna (or thick cider) hued dark ale enjoins sweet burgundy essence, lingered candied yeast consistency, spicy hop tingle, and bitter cocoa-espresso confluence for fervent opening. Frisky barley-hopped strength, fluctuant almond-walnut-chicory dab, and prune-port undertones combine with rich maple-butterscotch succulence to complete fantastic full-bodied finish. Difficult to pigeonhole; continuously rewarding.