Kross 5 Strong Ale

Kross 5 hits you with a clean, almost crisp malt base that acts like a launchpad for pine and grapefruit notes. There's a brightness here that feels intentional—not aggressive, but definitely alert. The 8% sits beneath the surface; you taste it more as a gentle warmth on the finish than as weight in the middle. It's the kind of strong ale that doesn't announce itself as strong.

Yards Thomas Jefferson's Tavern Ale

Yards' Thomas Jefferson's Tavern Ale has a sturdier handshake—more bread crust, more honey undertones, a slight earthiness that grounds everything. The alcohol here builds presence without being hot. There's a richness to the malt that makes this feel more substantial, like something that wants to linger and develop over the course of a few sips. It's contemplative.