Understated amber-cleared ‘white porter’ (a traditional Mardi Gras treat) places vanilla-spiced subtleties alongside delicate orange peel sweetness and mellow cocoa-nibbed pecan toasting, but fizzy phenol astringency brings unwanted alkalinity to upset its maple syrupy pancake battering. Almost dupes a brown-sugared, cinnamon-spiced Sticky Buns or Churro snack.
Jubilant Japanese and Jamaican citrus fruits combine for summery Mosaic hop attack. Sunnily brisk lemon-juiced yuzu exotica and zesty tangerine-grapefruit ugli influence sit atop French breaded bottom. Brisk orange, pineapple, peach, mango and papaya tropicalia contrasts juniper-nipped blueberry souring.
On tap at Growler & Gill, stylishly faithful orange-peeled coriander briskness picks up uncanny waxed crayon-like grouting and salty lemon spritz above white wheat base. Subsidiary vanilla-spiced banana and clove sweetness as well as wispy lemon meringue, tangelo, currant and orange marmalade illusions garnish the tart citric-spiced finish.
Well-balanced array of Simcoe-hopped piney yellow fruiting and cold-brewed Ethiopian coffee bittering. Dark-roast mocha malting brings cocoa nibs influence to the fore as lemony grapefruit-mango confluence increases.
On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead – Haledon, sessionable lemon-spiced Mexican lager picks up taco-shelled cornmeal influence above grassy Noble-hopped Vienna malt toasting. Piquant lemon zest briskness retains effervescence as mellow walnut, plum and rye undertones subdue light-bodied pleasure.
On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead, ‘hoppier’ amber-hued Americanized barleywine allows sharp India Pale Ale fruiting to infiltrate barleywine-ish dewy malt sweetness and chewy caramel backbone while minor alcohol bite ascends at the dry-hopped grapefruit-peach-tangerine finish.
On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead – Haledon, well-done rauchbier/ IPA hybrid (in collaboration with local Colorado brewers, Ska) brings smoky campfire, beechwood and mesquite tones to crisply clean citrus fruiting. Barley-smoked cured meat pleasantry keeps rauchbier likeness lingering longer and stronger than casual orange, grapefruit, peach and apricot illusions.
On tap at Taphouse 15, warming rum-spiced Bulleit bourbon sweetness coats rich black coffee roast and smoky black chocolate syruping to charcoal-smoked flaked oats spine. Fudgy brown chocolate, vanilla, cocoa and Black Forest cake sugaring adds blissful resplendence to rich dessert template. Tertiary black cherry puree, burgundy, port, marshmallow and toffee illusions seep inside mocha-bourbon mud caking.
Sessionable canned spinoff of brewers’ Throwback IPA brings a bitterer citric souring to the forefront. A large lemony grapefruit contingent rises above its tart passionfruit adjunct and herbal hop astringency. Mild mango, blood orange and papaya illusions lightly contrast mineral-grained earthiness and phenol aspirin-like acridity in the distance.
Whimsical medium-full-bodied porter (in a can) brings lightly creamed Nescafe instant coffee powdering to roasted Ethiopian coffee core, picking up mild saline blood smudge beneath oily hop resins. Heavily caffeinated cold-press coffee influence overwhelms subtle black chocolate, charred walnut, espresso, cocoa, blueberry and blackberry illusions.
On tap at Poor Henry’s, scrumptious Almond Joy-candied porter spreads shredded coconut milking above cacao nibs sweetness and dark-roasted black chocolate malting. Subsidiary vanilla, caramel, crème brûlée and creme de cocoa notions receive light powdered sugaring. An impeccable coconut-flavored dark ale.
