On tap at Track 84, rich dark ale brewed with maple syrup and aged in oak rum barrels drapes molasses-sapped dark rum spicing onto sweet sherry-bourbon-burgundy wining. Sinewy maple syrup glutenizes sugary mocha malts. Toasted almond and coconut undertones drift by. Limited edition 2013 holiday ale should be given a rebirth.
Tag Archives: strong ale
CLIMAX SNOW PLOW WINTER ALE
LEFFE RADIEUSE
Well-attenuated Belgian strong dark ale transitions candi-sugared Belgian yeast sweetness and honey-spiced mead spree to dry red wine acridity. Fructose black cherry, sultana grape, bruised banana and green raisin sugaring contrasts raspberry-soured rhubarb pie tartness. Light bourbon, burgundy, port and brandy undertones fortify tannic back end.
(SHMALTZ) HE’BREW JEWBELATION REBORN 17
On tap at Twisted Elm, deeply penetrating slow sipper (with heady 17% alcohol volume/ 17 malts/ 17 hops) places molasses-sugared brown chocolate sweetness against dry plum-wined bourbon-burgundy-sherry scurry. Dark rum, sugared fig, black cherry and candied apple illusions enrich syrupy molasses malting. A hint of vanilla found at rich mocha-fruited finish.
RUSHING DUCK DE LEVENDE DODEN
On tap at Growler & Gill, mocha-bound Belgian dark ale (a.k.a The Living Dead) provides powdered Baker’s chocolate theme for dried fruited nature. Belgian Trappist yeast influences sweet chocolate-spiced midst as well as desiccated fig, cherry and grape notions. Ancillary anise-oiled fennel snip deepens semi-complex nature.
GREAT DIVIDE 19TH ANNIVERSARY STRONG ALE
On tap at Three Wise Monks, boozy celebrator brings caramelized birch syrup to brandy-fueled fruiting. Orange-bruised apple buttering and tangy pineapple-peach-tangerine-melon juicing meld to vanilla-creamed coconut milking. Grand Marnier, brandy and tequila snips crowd the vodka fruited finish.
HOF TEN DORMAAL BELGIAN DARK ALE BREW NO. 10 – MADEIRA
Voluptuous dessert wine-like Belgian dark ale (aged in Madeira barrels) brings contagious tropical-fruited Sangria sweetness to lively spiced rum sugaring. Complexities abound as gelatinous grape jelly viscousness spreads across ripe cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon, pineapple, strawberry, cherry, raspberry and peach illusions. Syrupy fruit compote thickens alongside sticky caramel apple uprising. Simply undeniable.
(SHMALTZ) HE’BREW FUNKY JEWBELATION 2013
Busily cluttered limited edition strong ale combines Jewbelation 15, Origin Pomegranate Strong Ale, Bittersweet Lenny’s R.I.P.A., Messiah Nut Brown, Coney Island Lager and Albino Python in bourbon and rye whiskey barrels. Fig-juiced red, purple and green grape tannins add vinous pucker to plum-wined port, bourbon and sherry illusions as well as oaken vanilla spell. Tart pomegranate and cranberry undertones gather alongside tertiary prune-raisin-plum dried fruiting.
CARTON G.O.R.P.
MIKKELLER SANTA’S LITTLE HELPER 2012
On tap at Taphouse Grille, complex Belgian strong ale hybridizes mocha stout sweetness with Christmastime fruit caking. Ashen brown chocolate spicing and dark toffee sugaring drape smooth cask-like dry Scotch subtlety. Lemon-dried plum-fig-date conflux overrides latent red-wined cherry peppering, wintry gingerbread snip and relegated plastique nuance.
DOGFISH HEAD BIRRA ETRUSCA BRONZE ALE
CHIMAY SPECIALE CENT CINQUANTE (150th ANNIVERSARY)
Elegantly detailed limited edition 150th anniversary celebrator proves to be as uniquely ambitious as brewers’ three year-round offerings. Based on Chimay Tripel (white label), its champagne-sparkled fruity bouquet sashays around an herbaceous pink peppercorn and lemongrass cluster. White grape, green apple, banana, pineapple, orange, mango and melon illusions receive tingly lemon-limed bittering that contrasts Chardonnay-buttered honey mead or cotton-candied marshmallow nuances. Black-peppered basil-thyme conflux registers below advertised orange-peeled coriander influence.