Effervescent Paloma cocktail knockoff with zesty grapefruit juicing and sea-salted agave nectar and lime peel resonates like a nifty grapefruit Margarita. Lemon-wedged guava, passionfruit and kiwi tropicalia plus agave-cologned vodka kick add inertia to 8% ABV ‘double golden ale.’
Sedately dry, politely centrist hazy NEIPA takes off with tart yellow grapefruit spicing rising softly above smooth oat-milked creaming. Mellow orange-peeled mango, guava, kiwi and passionfruit souring caresses dainty floral-daubed piney hop bittering as subtle grapefruit spell breaks.
Milk chocolate-fudged S’mores candy frontage gains tarry hop-charred Blackstrap molasses bittering that nearly vacates sweet Graham Cracker, cinnamon and marshmallow adjuncts. But cocoa-powdered vanilla bean resonance ultimately rescues treacly mocha stout.
Nice “take on fresh baked apple pie” gathers apple-juiced cinnamon, allspice and vanilla bean adjuncts for cinnamon-toasted Apple Jacks entry. At the midst, subsidiary cinnamon babka, spiced cider, rum cake, lemon snaps and apple strudel illusions seep in above its honeyed Graham Cracker base. Mildest soapiness lessens body and character just a hair.
Popular kiln-smoked dry stout given leathery oak-aged treatment. Raw-honeyed molasses bittering and dry bourbon-burgundy conflux determinedly influence black-malted Bakers chocolate pungency, freeze-dried coffee spunk, fungi brown tea musk and black licorice snip. Mildewed black grape esters and tarry hop char stay mellower than original ‘brew.’ A dryer version at 9% ABV.
On tap at Sogo, mildly creamed dark-roast coffee and lightly smoked chocolate malting pick up ancillary port-aged ‘plum, cherry and stewed fruit’ notions from Syrah grape must of hybridized wine-barreled stout that stays remarkably soft and fluffy on the tongue. Wood-burnt hop char and light walnut sear impact smoky coffee-cocoa finish, leaving oaken vanilla tannins in the distance.
On tap at Ambulance, limey sea-salted coriander expectancy of easygoing pinkish magenta gose given sour raspberry exposure. Sour-candied raspberry tartness enjoined by delicate melon rind, prickly pear, mango and kiwi tropicalia.
On tap at Beef Trust, blustery red-wined twist on brewers’ berry-heavy Belgian fruit ale, Fort, loads pureed raspberry, boysenberry, elderberry and blackberry atop rum-spiced brandy warmth, picking up vinous cherry tartness alongside boozy alcohol astringency at the bold whisky-dried cherry coughdrop finish. Candied orange, red grape and clementine illusions dot the back end.
Briskly vinous Reisling/ Viognier grape must gains zesty lemon limed tartness and resinous pine sneer above mild oats-flaked malts of moderately acidic, hazy beige yellowed IPA hybrid. Dry white wine finish stays plush as subtle grapefruit-peeled mandarin orange, passionfruit, melon rind and honeydew illusions push forward its tannic yellow grape souring.
On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead – Haledon, floral grapefruit-peeled orange tang and mild grassy hop astringency envelop Grateful Dead-inspired granola knockoff. Honeyed almond, oats and cereal grain influence unassuredly secondary to dry pale-malted citrus stead.
On tap at Beef Trust, unspecific hybridized pale ale salutes indie rock heroes, the Flaming Lips, with brewers’ off-center spring ’18 pale ale. Subtle strawberry-kiwi-guava-like dragonberry and bland cranberry-pomegranate-like yumberry tartness combine with neutralized black carrot and pear juices as mild hop phenols rise above its salty bottom. Lightly soured lemon liming, musty cherry dryness and mild green apple pucker waver. Not too dry, sour or sweet; evasive flavor-wise.
Rich oak-aged vanilla beaned 17% ABV Imperial Stout retains syrupy molasses-sugared chocolate creaminess. Deep vanilla essence receives velvety bourbon licks as well as delicate port, sherry and brandy daubs. Setback dark chocolate fudging picks up gooey anise sway and dried-fruited black cherry, rum raisin and plum undertones. A trusty dessert nightcap with loads of gusto.