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.
Phenol tan-headed burgundy-bodied ‘mild’ dark ale with driest raisin-prune cover, earthy grain sediment and sour chocolate bottom sabotaged by arid fizzy-hopped Seltzer-watered finish.
What’s with the cool Halloween names of these Moorhouse ales? Sweet chocolate malting and dry-roasted barley provide initial strength, but mocha richness lags when ashen earthiness subsides. A peculiar brew some will mistake as German-styled dark wheat or cheap stout imitation.
Mellow ruby-hued Belgian-styled dark ale tucks wintry clove-coriander-nutmeg spicing beneath dried fig-date dankness and tangy mango-grapefruit sliver. Dry peppery-herbal hop coarseness churns distant black cherry, white peach, green apple, and blanched watermelon illusions to soapy currant finish. Surprisingly thin.
Mellow smooth 8% alcohol dark ale relies on medicinal nectar-juniper theme, roasted barley assurance, massive mineral grain sediment, and earthy peat discretion. Corresponding mocha malt aroma and rich coffee overtones blend well with French wheat wine twist, finishing with muted chocolate snap. A tad less thick than heartier double bocks, but nonetheless an original with character, class, and tangled sweet peculiarities promising plenty and then delivering.
Strong smoked chocolate presence, mocha porter thickness, and dark coffee aroma immediately noticed. Syrupy residue provides creamy malt whiskey sensation. Roasted barley base gives way to prune-plum notes and nut-tinged complacency. Well crafted (with six malts and three varieties of hops) and quite heady as a rewarding after dinner drink. Improbably darker, richer and better than New Amsterdam Black & Tan.