     Fluffy White Rabbits Hoppy Triple (Pretty Things Beer & Ale Project)
Definitely one of the more Spring themed beer labels I've ever seen. You've got to love the imagination and creativity driving this small brewery. Every beer I've had from Pretty Things has been very well made and I am sure this will be no different. I can't wait to get this out of the bottle and into a glass! From the Pretty Things site: "Springtime! Last Spring, we brought you a magical tree full of waving babies... and the Baby Tree has stuck around, we're happy to say. So this year we've made a pale gold, hoppy triple called Fluffy White Rabbits. We say White Rabbits in Yorkshire for luck, so here's a good way to drink some lucky beer and here's to a fabulous warm season for all of us!" Here we go...
Pour - a beautiful golden color fills the glass with a big fluffy white head (one might say its fluffy like a rabbit's tail?). A bit opaque and quite nice to look at, but beer isn't for looking at.
Aroma - yeasty, earthy, a bit grassy, some mineral aroma along with green apples and unripe peaches. Very delicate aromas. This has fresh written all over it and smell perfect for a warm spring day. Taste - one sip and I realize just how much effort went into making this Belgian-style tripel. All the telltale signs of quality are there. Its tangy and earthy with the sharp and bitter flavors of the hops coming through at just the right moments. Light flavors of apples, pears and peaches add a touch of sweetness and this one finishes nice and dry. Slightly effervescent and refreshing on the tongue. This is simply a great beer with lots of flavor and pizazz.
Overall - Incredible version of a Belgian-style tripel. Delicate and yet very flavorful and complex. Pretty Things has been nothing short of brilliant when it comes to their Belgian-style releases (Jack D'Or and Confounded Mr. Sisyphus being the others). Bravo and cheers to all involved.
Would I buy more of it? - absolutely. This is an incredible beer. If you have access to Pretty Things beers be sure to grab a bottle of these before they are all gone.
Note - check out these other Pretty Things beers!
St. Botolph's Town (English-style Brown) Baby Tree (Belgian-style Quadrupel) Confounded Mr. Sisyphus (Belgian-style Pale brewed w/cherries) American Darling ("un-lawnmower beer")
Posted by Russ Labels: Belgian-Style Beers, Belgian Tripels | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
   R & D Golden Ale (New Glarus Brewing Company)
After finding out that my Cigar City Bolita Brown was accidentally (and unfortunately) infected with brettanomyces, I decided that I should just maintain the theme and crack open this beauty from the midwest. This Golden Ale is the first in their new "R & D" series and should certainly get things going quite nicely. From the New Glarus site: "It’s an ale fermented with Brett Yeast and made with Maris Otter Malt and Styrian Golding Hops." From the "Brew Master's notes on the bottle: "Bold floral bouquet sweeps forward encouraged by Maris Otter Malt. Ale and Brettanomyces promote complex Brett characters. Dry finish. Alive and still fermenting, this bottle will continue to build carbonation. Pour with care." Here we go... Pour - beautiful golden orange in color with nice carbonation levels and lots of bubble action building a big fluffy white head on top. Pour looks great. Aroma - let's talk about funk. Lots of the typical Brett trademarks. There is the "barnyard" and "horse blanket" smells along with a straight up funkiness of a very well developed Brett driven brew. This is a lot funkier than some older Orval that I've had that is for sure. Along with all that funk there is some bitter or sour fruit characters and some peppery notes. Taste - now this is a complex beer despite a rather innocent appearance. The Brett has really taken control and made this golden ale into a monster. Tons of funk and mustiness go extremely well with a nice sparkling brew like this one. Some sweetness and tartness also come out of this brew. It has some similarities to Orval that is for sure. A nice dry finish also keeps you going back to start.
Overall - Great stuff! This is a rather unique offering from New Glarus that I am super happy to have had the chance to try.
Would I buy more of it? - sure, but I don't think that will be happening as its all gone by now and not likely to be brewed again anytime soon.
Brewed - February 23rd, 2009 Bottled - June 18, 2009
Note - this was a brewery only release and cost about $8 for each 500 mL bottle. I really want to say thanks to Scot in Illinois for hooking me up with a ton of New Glarus beers. Cheers!
Posted by Russ Labels: Belgian Pale Ales, Belgian-style Beers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
   Smuttynose Winter Ale (Smuttynose Brewing Company)
Smutty's Winter Ale definitely has one of the more original labels that you're likely to see while perusing the beer aisle. It certainly screams winter in New England and should prepare you for the rich, malty and toasty beer inside. From the Smuttynose site: "Smuttynose Winter Ale is a full-bodied, amber beer brewed with a special Trappist ale yeast. Stylistically reminiscent of a Belgian Abbey Double, it features fruity aromas and flavor, balanced by soft Crystal hops. Warming, mellow & pleasantly complex, Smuttynose Winter Ale is your perfect cold weather companion." Here we go... Pour - dark brown with some auburn/reddish highlights and a rather thin head. Its a but murky looking when held to the light and almost opaque.
Aroma - this beer has the aroma of many Belgian beers I've tried. The yeast provides a very original smell and the sweet malt aroma combines to really make you think Belgium. Toffee, brown sugar and a little sour/funk/earthiness.
Taste - sweet but not too sweet, dry but not too dry. Lots of fruity/estery notes. Apples, grapes and pear j uiciness combined with some toasty flavors. The yeasty earthiness provides that unique flavor reminiscent of many Belgians. Its a dubbel and it definitely tastes like one however it tastes a lot fresher than almost all of the Belgian dubbels I've had in my life. I can thank proximity to the brewery for that I guess.
Overall - great dubbel with lots of flavor even if it is a sub 5% beer. There aren't enough of these. Super easy drinking and a great example of the style done on this side of the Atlantic.
Would I buy more of it? - probably as part of a mixed pack but no need to buy a whole six-pack. Decent stuff but there are too many other beers out there.
Availability - October - January
Note - The Smuttynose Brewing Company was started in 1994. The name comes from an island 6 miles off the coast (Smuttynose Island). The island is infamous for 2 murders that took place there back in 1873. The island itself is actually a part of the state of Maine and not New Hampshire.
Posted by Russ Labels: Belgian-Style Beers, Dubbels, Winter Beers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
  Maudite (Unibroue)
I've been cellaring this bottle of Maudite since December of '08. The "best before" date is May of this year so now seemed as good a time as any to open it. From the Unibroue site: "In November 1992 Maudite (the damned one), was the first strong beer to be distributed in Quebec grocery stores. It contains 8 % alcohol and is also the first beer brewed in America that improves with age. When served young, it is very smooth, but when served after several years of storage, its flavour is reminiscent of port. Maudite is a mahogany-colored, rich-tasting premium beer that has a distinctive, complex taste. Because of the warmth it releases, this strong character beer must be served cool but not cold. Perfect with pasta, red meats, stews and spicy dishes, it also makes a good aperitif and after-dinner drink" Here we go... Pour - the cork is popped and some vapors sneak out from the bottle. Thankfully no injuries occurred nor did this bottle erupt. Maudite pours a light amber color with lots of reddish accents. The head is very thick and seltzery at first but it stay around for quite some time instead of fading away quickly. Very nice looking beer.
Aroma - caramel malt, brown sugar, some sourness, dark fruits like plums and prunes as well as some tart cherry.
Taste - one sip and the smoothness of this beer is revealed. Very easy going down with a good deal of sweetness and a dry finish. Lots of dark fruit flavor along with the hints of tart cherry. I've had this fresh in the bottle and fresh on draught and I'd say that a year in the bottle has mellowed this a bit and made it sweeter and smoother.
Overall - Not overly complex but extremely delicious and easy to drink.
Would I buy more of it? - sure. This is a great beer and its usually priced quite affordably.
Vintage - 2008
Note - more from the Unibroue site, "Maudite has a typically Quebecois name that is reminiscent of the legend of the Chasse-Galerie (the legend of the Flying Canoe). Legend has it that a group of lumberjacks struck a deal with the devil to fly home in their canoes, guided by Satan himself, to make it home in time for Christmas."
Posted by Russ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
    Dank Tank Big Ol' Belgian Blue Balls (Sweetwater Brewing Company)
Well, if the words "Dank Tank" don't get you, the words "Big Ol' Belgian Blue Balls" certainly will. One of the more creative names for a beer, this release from Sweetwater is part of their special series of bigger, more unique offerings. The bottle reads: "There once was an old Belgian man who walked his donkey past a blueberry patch that was tended to by a beautiful maiden named Paige. Her blueberries were the juiciest in the land, which legend has it was due to her tending her patch in the nude. Every day as the old Belgian walked past the naked farmer with the fantastic berries, he was left with the most painful set of blue balls ever bestowed on a man. Brewed in the old man’s honor, we created a hefty 8% alc/vol Belgian wheat & rye concoction which features a squirt of the naked girl’s fresh organic blueberries from Serenbe Farms, giving Big Ol Belgian Blue Balls a slight taint of blueberry undertones to help him ease the pain. It’ll leave you lusting for more!" Here we go... Pour - soft, cloudy, almost murky reddish orange color. It's got the appearance of a peach iced tea with a thick, fluffy white head that fades to a thin lacing on top. When held to the light it glows a brilliant orange.
Aroma - the spicy Belgian yeast smell combines with a sweetness that is quite apparent. Reminds me of canned pears and/or applesauce with cinnamon.
Taste - interesting, its a sweet beer that is no denying that. The texture is very soft and smooth. A lot of the spicy Belgian yeast comes through along with some fruit flavors that could be blueberry but again they remind me of canned pears. Carbonation levels seems relatively low as it seems to be missing a crisp finish. Nonetheless, this is a very flavorful beer and if you are a fan of American released Belgian-style ales this one might be worth checking out if you can still find it.
Overall - a tad sweet and a tad too soft for my taste. Its a great beer if you are having a small glass or splitting a bottle with several friends but not the type you'd end up finishing yourself. I wish I could have gotten more of the blueberry flavor, maybe as it warms a bit more that will be more pronounced.
Would I buy more of it? - since its not offered in my area I probably won't be buying any of this, not to mention it was a one-off release which is likely all gone by now.
Note - Serenbe Farms, where the "750 pounds of “fresh local organic biodynamic blueberries” in this beer come from, is an organic farm in Palmetto, Georgia. They teach farming and offer farm shares as well. If you are local you should check them out.
Posted by Russ Labels: Fruit Beers, Belgian-style Beers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
  Malmgård Belge (Malmgårdin Panimo Oy)
Released just a couple of months ago Malmgård Belge (with the daunting French on the label that reads Cest N'est Pas Une Belge - "This is not a Belgian", ie not from Belgium) was brewed in honor of the Finnish Beer Society's 20th anniversary. It is brewed with a "special Belgian yeast" with local water and locally grown malts. It is unfiltered and described as having a fruity and spicy taste with subtle malt tones. The history of this brewery and Malmgård itself is quite interesting. This is actually brewed by a brewery run by a Count, namely Count Johan Creutz, the twelfth owner of the Malmgård castle. Malmgård, built in 1885, currently operates as a modern estate with organic vegetable production, forestry, tourism and obviously the brewing of beer. Malmgård Belge was released in limited batches and is of "strong Belgian influence" despite being brewed on the very tip of southern Finland... Appearance - Pours a cloudy coppery color with a small fluffy head that never quite disappears. No carbonation at all. Aroma - Smells sweet and yeasty, like a Belgian beer such as La Chouffe or Saison Dupont. Soft, buttery, a bit sour and slightly of bananas. It also has a trace of spices but nothing that really stands out. Taste - Interesting. The mouth feel is like velvet, ridiculously smooth. Has something Belgian in it but it's hard to really grasp. A slight bit of the yeastiness - in a good way - and some sweetness. Not sure where to put this exactly, it tastes very nice but it just doesn't taste a lot even at 8%. But, I like this, I can imagine other people would have qualms with the lack of complexity, but it's a nice sipping beer. It's almost like a small mystery as you try to find the Belgian factors... Overall - If you tried to combine the traditional brewing arts of Belgium and those of Finl and - especially sahti - you would get this. You don't want to make the mistake of immediately assuming that Malmgård is trying to produce a Belgian beer. It even tells you that on the label. What you are getting here is a Belgian inspired Finnish ale. I'd recommend this if you (for some strange reason) manage to come across a bottle. I bought this on the island of Åland the other day and I am happy I did. Something in it reminds me of sahti, something else in it reminds me of Dupont - that should inspire anyone to at least sample this. If one word describes this beer it is smooth, amazingly smooth.
Posted by Kelly | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Baby Tree (Pretty Things Beer & Ale Project)
I've been trying to find some bottles of this beer for quite some time. It seems there was a shortage here in Massachusetts for a little while. I managed to find a good stash of them at a local beer store so I am happy to finally get a chance to try out Pretty Things' quadrupel. After a couple hours of shoveling heavy snow earlier today, this was definitely in order this evening. From the Pretty Things site: "Baby tree is a "quadruple" brewed with a single strain of Belgian yeast...Our "quadruple" benefits from the addition of 40lbs of dried California plums in the kettle - hopefully contributing to the overall dark-fruit character of the beer. Like Jack D'Or, no spices are added to this beer" Here we go... Pour - ruby and dark auburn with some red highlights. The head is very full and thick. Composed of lots of super tightly packed bubbles this looks great in the glass with some nice lacing on the inner walls.
Aroma - baked apple, figs, prunes, raisins and banana. Slight hints of alcohol (brandy?) in the nose but mainly dark fruit and lots of esters.
Taste - lots of dark, sweet, ripe fruit. Flavors are delicate yet complex. Definite plum and apple flavors along with some alcohol heat, caramel and rum. There are slight hints at sour cherry as well. This is an extremely drinkable yet high alcohol beer. I am impressed by how great this beer tastes.
Overall - amazingly smooth and extremely well tempered. Lots of great fruit flavors combine with some nice warmth from the alcohol. This is a great example of an American Quad and one that some age will do even more wonders for. Another exceptional beer from Pretty Things.
Vintage - Bottled July 2009 (Batch Two)
Would I buy more of it? - absolutely, I was very impressed by this and I think it will do well in the cellar. I plan on buying a few more bottles now that I know where to find them.
Note - You can learn a LOT more about this beer by going to the Pretty Things site.
Pretty Things founders Dann and Martha Paquette visit the real "Baby Tree"
Posted by Russ Labels: Belgian-Style Beers, Quads, Beer Videos | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Stone 09.09.09 Vertical Epic Ale (Stone Brewing Company)
Surprisingly this is the very first Vertical Epic release that either of us has had. So, what better way to celebrate TwinBeer's 400th review than by doing a "joint review" of this "Belgian Porter brewed with spices". Kelly managed to get a bottle of this over in Sweden and will review it on his end and I will do the same here in the good old US of A. Let's see how our taste buds compare and how time and travel have treated this one. Cheers! From Mitch Steel (Head Brewer) on the Stone site: "During the brewing process we added dark candi sugar, vanilla bean, and tangerine peel to complement the flavors of the porter. The vanilla bean addition is fascinating, as it actually enhances the chocolate character from the roasted malts, and the candi sugar adds a nice hint of molasses flavor to the finish. The tangerine actually turned out to be quite subtle on the finish, and combines nicely with the chocolate malt character. We aged this beer on French oak chips, which contributes a smooth and subtle woody undertone and even more vanilla flavors." Here we go... Pour KP) Black as tar, with a fizzy top and a thick off-white, beige head that leaves a thick froth on the beer. This stuff is opaque even when held up to a bright light.
Aroma KP) Smells fantastic with sweet malts, spices, chocolate, vanilla, caramel and even some berries.
Taste KP) Wow. Potent with lots of action. Thick with chocolate, cocoa and coffee tones and an amazingly long drawn out aftertaste that is sweet and bitter. Smooth with only a tinge of the alchohol.
Overall KP) Epic is just what this is. Although intended to be enjoyed after a few years of cellaring, this is already complex and incredibly rich. Even if you can't wait, you won't be disappointed.
Would I buy more of it? KP) Well, I won't find another bottle for sale in the store, but I'd be willing to spend the $30 it will cost at the bar for another bottle.
Greg Koch (CEO & Co-Founder): "There's intentionally no direct unifying theme between the Stone Vertical Epic Ales. Stone 09.09.09 Vertical Epic Ale is openly and admittedly a different beer. It doesn't relate to the other Stone Vertical Epic Ales, other than it’s Belgian-themed and it's in the series. I found the flavor complex in a fairly unique way, but I also invite people to figure out the flavor profile for themselves."
Posted by Russ Labels: Belgian-Style Beers, Joint Reviews, Wood-aged Beers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
  Haandbakk (HaandBryggeriet)
"This is an historic moment for us as this is the first time for more than hundred years or much longer that a brewery in Norway has made a sour beer using wild yeast and lactic acid bacteria." - Haandbryggeriet Haandbryggeriet, as was described in a previous review, is a tiny brewery in Norway that puts out some quite stunning beers. They trickle through Sweden at times, but only in small numbers. This is certainly something that says a lot about the direction of Norwegian brewing: a small group of brewers recreating a wild, naturally sour and oak aged beer the likes of which hasn't been seen in ages. Certainly something not for the feint of heart, this is guaranteed to be an experience. It looks like this is actually round two of Haandbakk, the first round was actually stronger at 8.5%. Appearance - Dark and murky with a slight ruby hue. A loose brownish head that quickly settles...and a sourness that is apparent from the second the bottle is opened. Aroma - Sour...big time. The likes of which will only compare to some serious geuze or a very ambitious Flemish ale. This is all wild yeast with oak and tart fruits. Taste - Actually not nearly as mouth puckering as one would expect. It's tart, but it doesn't suck the life out of the taste. This is actually sweet and ends dry and bitter. Lots of dark cherry tones and oaky accents. I would never expect to find myself saying smooth, but it really is. What really hits you is the long fruity/bitter aftertaste that lingers for ages. Wow, I really didn't expect this at all. This is very drinkable, with all the qualities of an Oud Bruin but in a very attainable way. If this is what the Norwegians were brewing 100+ years ago then they were doing a good job of it (and so is Haandbryggeriet now). Overall - A wild beer that is under control. Definitely worth the investment and the experience. It will be great to see what this brewery does in the future, as they are truly setting some high marks and doing some ambitious things. A great example of this type of beer from a very unlikely place.
Posted by Kelly Labels: Flanders Oud Bruins, Belgian-style Beers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Golden Monkey (Victory Brewing Company)
I don't like monkeys. I never have. That is just me. However, if the monkey is on the label of a beer from one of my favorite breweries than it might be okay. I'll never forget trying to explain to someone, after they drank two of these straight from the bottle, that is was not a super strong lager but in fact something much more intricate and complex. I guess when you put something in a 12 oz. bottle some people assume it can't be too much different from a bottle of Miller Lite. From the Victory site: "Strong and sensual, this golden, Belgian-style ale glows with goodness. The richness of German malts and Belgian yeast are tempered by a sparkling approach and overall light body. Considerable depth of character with abundant herbal, fruity notes make this one to savor." Here we go... Pour - Golden orange in color, almost the same shade as a pineapple. Lots of bubbles streaming upwards and creating a half inch of stark white head. Looks like some serious stuff sitting in this glass. I better be careful.
Aroma - Earthy, yeasty and spicy in that order. Lots of that fruity, estery Belgian yeast smell comes out along with a nice earthiness. Very aromatic.
Taste - Big yeast flavor off the bat, you know the one, its sort of like banana mixed with sweet citrus along with some earthy flavors thrown in. There is some nice spiciness thrown into the mix as well. If you've had some tripels from Belgium this might taste a little more crisp and refreshing. I'm not sure what it is but its got a certain freshness that I really enjoy.
Overall - Very drinkable and quite quenching despite the high alcohol percentage, which does make the stomach warm on cold winter night. This is an excellent night cap and a 12 oz. bottle does wonders for your insomnia.
Would I buy more of it? - Yes, yes I would.
Note: There is an actual species of Golden Monkeys which are native to Central Africa. Unfortunately the Golden Monkey is an endangered species and recent wars in their habitat have threaten their existence.
Posted by Russ Labels: Belgian-Style Beers, Belgian Tripels | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rosée d’Hibiscus (Brasserie Dieu Du Ciel!)
From the artists at Dieu de Ciel! in Montreal comes this Belgian-style wheat brewed with Hibiscus flowers. They are doing some amazing things at this brewery. If you see any of their beers in the store be sure to check them out. From the Dieu de Ciel! site: "The Rosée d’Hibiscus is a soft spoken Belgian-style wheat beer. The rose colour comes from the hibiscus flowers added during the brewing process. The aromas and flavour of this tropical flower are very prominent in the beer, giving it a slight acidity and a very agreeable fragrance. It is the perfect thirst quencher on a hot summer day." Here we go... Pour - a bit hazy, like a Wit with a beautiful glow of raspberry pink/red. The head is rather thin with some nice lacing. When held to the light the color really shines.
Aroma - initial aroma is sour fruit, maybe some raspberry and strawberry combined with some sour cherries. The smell actually reminds me a bit of some lambics I've had.
Taste - subtle sour fruit flavors, slightly acidic along with a carbonation level that dances bubbles off your tongue a little more than the average wheat beer. Some floral notes come out as it warms and it also becomes a little sweeter but leaves a sharp citrus taste in the finish.
Overall - a very unique take on the Belgian Wit style. Hibiscus flowers add to the appearance, aroma and the taste. I liked it, it was refreshing and very easy to drink.
Would I buy more of it? - possibly, my wife really enjoyed it so I could see buying a few bottles for her. If and when I make it back up to Montreal I'll need to try this on tap.
Note: The red hibiscus flower is traditionally worn by Tahitian women. A single flower is tucked behind the ear. Which ear is used indicates the wearer's availability for marriage.
Posted by Russ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
River Horse Tripel Horse (River Horse Brewing Company)
Belgium is a country that is roughly the size of New Jersey. This Belgian-style Tripel comes from New Jersey. See the connection? Well, it may be slight but its there nonetheless. Any brewery that takes on the challenge of brewing a Belgian-style Tripel gets props from me! From the River Horse site: "Tripel Horse has a big body and rich mouth feel and finishes mostly dry with only a touch of sweetness. If you shy from some of the sweeter Belgian ales, we think you will enjoy this one. The palate improves with age, so keep some on hand and you can ride Tripel Horse down a new path with each opened bottle." Here we go... Pour -Comes out pretty viscous, this stuff has legs. Color is a deep, dark golden with an ultra foamy, pure white head that leaves plenty of lacing. Aroma - Sweet, spicy, vanilla-ey and yeasty. The major trademarks of the tripel are present and accounted for and making my nose very happy. Taste - Very smooth and the ever-present alcohol warms the stomach almost immediately with this one, 10% is a pretty warming number. The sweet, sugary goodness of the tripel flavors comes out nicely and with it some of the spiciness as well. The unique Belgian yeast flavor is also present and everything seems to mesh damn near perfectly. Overall - Impressive! I really enjoy this beer and commend River Horse for doing a great job and a very difficult style to both make here in the US as well as market. Would I buy more of it? - I think I would. Maybe another trip to the brewery is in order. Note: River Horse has been brewing since back in '96. The brewery itself is located on the Delaware River right across from the town of New Hope, Pennsylvania. It's a great little town to check out if you are in the area. The brewery offers tours and tastings so be sure to pay them a visit as well!
Posted by Russ Labels: Belgian-Style Beers, Belgian Tripels | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
  Stone Soup (New Glarus Brewing Company)
Another of the New Glarus beers that have yet to, until now, touch my tongue. This is one of their year-round releases and seemingly an homage to the beer motherland of Belgium. From the New Glarus site: "Who is qualified to judge one's contribution? Is it the pure Wisconsin barley malt or shall credit be given to traditional German and English hops? Maybe it is the Belgian Monastic yeast or the Brewer's tender care? Combined, this is a sophisticated Abbey style ale. Both elegant and drinkable this ale is cleanly aromatic with spicy notes of clove and ginger. Crisp and fragrant up front while gracefully sliding into warm malt notes at the finish." Here we go... Pour - Clean, yellow color with lots of effervescence and a decent sized fluffy white head. Very clean and clear. Aroma - Banana, burnt sugar, yeast and cinnamon. Taste - The flavor of fresh banana is very strong along with some sweet hints of caramel and a very present taste of Belgian yeasties. Very nice on the tongue as far as carbonation goes. Flavor is light, its almost like a table beer or "single". Overall - Meh. It's a great, easy drinking Belgian-style golden ale. Nothing too crazy and maybe that's enough. It is what is, very sessionable and something I bet you could get your lager loving uncle to enjoy immensely. Would I buy more of it? - Maybe. Not totally sold on it...plus I'd have to go to Wisconsin to get more and I think I'd rather buy some of New Glarus' other beers instead.
Posted by Russ Labels: Belgian-Style Beers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Confounded Mr. Sisyphus (Pretty Things Beer & Ale Project)
A special release from Pretty Things, Confounded Mr. Sisyphus is a Belgian-style pale ale. Dann Paquette has done a great job with all of his beers thus far and this is certainly no exception. From the Pretty Things site: "Name aside, C.M. Sisyphus is a subtle beer, full of yeast, bacteria, leafy hops and grains. Mr. Sisyphus's roots are Vienna-style lager malts, which give a golden orange colour and a malty nuttiness. Light esters and phenols from four strains of yeast give fragrance, and a malolactic bacteria has softened the acidity during conditioning and will continue to do so in the bottle. At his extremities you’ll find herbal German Hallertau and American Crystal hops, like leaves basking in the sun. Finally come Balaton cherries, with their spicy, musty, earthy character emerging in the foreground." Pours a dark yellowish/orangish that kind of reminds me of the Jack D'or a bit in the glass. Its a very clean looking beer with about 3/4 of an inch pf head that leaves a perfect ring around the top of the glass. The aroma I first get is that of sweet and sour malt. This is followed by a tart/sour smell that is likely the cherries. There are also some earthiness, lemon juice and grassy notes. Initially I taste a good deal of yeasty flavors, sort of like a Belgian wit almost. A couple more sips and a lot of the toasty, bready flavors come out and mesh well with the slight tartness this beer provides. The flavors are very delicate in this beer and quite refreshing. Confounded Mr. Sisyphus is crisp, light in flavor and easy on the palate. Its extremely drinkable, especially on this relaxing Labor Day weekend. The ABV, at 7%, is very, very deceiving. Another great beer by Pretty Things.
Posted by Russ Labels: Belgian Pale Ales, Belgian-style Beers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Jack D'Or Saison American (Pretty Things Beer & Ale Project)
The first release from Pretty Things, Jack D'Or is an American take on the Belgian Saison or Farmhouse ale. From the Pretty Thing site: "Inspired by some of our favorites saisons like Saison DuPont, but also DeRanke's XX Bitter, De Dolle's Arabier, and local table IPAs like Smuttynose, our Jack D'Or starts off with North American Pils, Vienna and Malted Oats (among others) and is hopped with a combination of four hops, finishing with First Gold, Nugget and whole leaf Cascade. Fermentation-wise we use a blend of three yeast strains to give Jack D'Or its refreshingly dry character. Finally, despite all of the spicy flavours in this beer it contains no actual spices - only malt, oats, sugar, hops and yeast. One more time: there are no spices whatsoever in Jack D'Or!" Jack D'Or pours a very bright, bold and altogether glowing deep golden orange color. Head is about an inch of thick fluffy snow white with some heavy lacing. Smells sweet with some spicy, yeasty notes. There is a bit of earthy, dirty hoppiness along with some brown sugar and caramel aromas. Very aromatic. Flavors abound on the first sip. Sweet bready tastes combine with some earthiness. Plenty of sweet fruit, especially pears along with the perfect amount of yeasty spiciness. There are so many subtle yet flavorful things going on with this beer its almost unbelievable. Very fresh and very tasty stuff. Nothing overpowering, just a great easy-drinking saison. I love this beer. As far as first releases go, I'd say Dann Paquette has done an incredible job with this beer. Its pretty much perfect. Great job Pretty Things!
Posted by Russ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
  La Roja (Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales)
Jolly Pumpkin does some very interesting stuff, and this oak aged Amber Ale is definitely unique. The best way to explain what this is would be to let the brewers themselves do the explaining: "An artisan amber ale brewed in the Flanders tradition. Deep amber with earthy caramel, spice, and sour fruit notes developed through natural barrel aging. Unfiltered, unpasteurized and blended from barrels ranging in age from two to ten months." So, if you're with me (and them) we are talking about a wild beer brewed in America in the tradition of the likes of Rodenbach and others in Belgium. Sounds interesting, and I was pleasantly surprised that this was actually available here in Sweden. Pours a cloudy dark apricot color, with a very thick and stubborn head that relentlessly holds it's retention before finally giving way to circles and a thick rim around the glass. If there is any carbonation evident I can't see it through the haze. (The image above is darker than it appears, it is more of a burnt amber.) The smell, from the second the bottle was opened and even from a good 10 feet away, is gueuze. Sour, yeasty, acidic and earthy. But, this is also sweet and even fruity. The taste is very alive, and very Belgian. They hit Flanders on the nose. It has the dry characteristics from that region combined with the "wild" yeasty quality. The mouthfeel is thicker and rounder, and the finish more mellow. It's not completely mouth puckering - but it certainly starts off that way. Through the mix you can also pick up tannins from the barrels, as well as a bit of tobacco and even chocolate. It is a complex beer so don't let the immediate bitterness fool you. This is a beer to drink s-l-o-w-l-y if you want to appreciate it. Even tiny sips will bring out the full bodied taste going on. You're also going to want to share it, since a wine bottle of this stuff is probably going to be too much. (Thankfully I have a patient wife willing to drink the other half...) If you like this type of beer and are willing to give an American version a shot, then you will enjoy it. It's not to everyones liking, and it's definitely not some of the standards from Belgium, but is a nice, bitter and layered beer. Nice job Jolly Pumpkin, this is a gutsy beer. I am impressed that the state run liquor store here in Sweden brought this in. Maybe they deserve more credit then I sometimes give them...then again this is only available in about 5 stores in the entire country. This was from the first batch. Blend 1.
Posted by Kelly Labels: Amber/Red Ales, Belgian-style Beers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cali-Belgique IPA (Stone Brewing Company)
Stone's Cali-Belgique is a great example of two great beer cultures coming together. This is their Stone IPA, the exact same one, fermented with a Belgian ale yeast. From the Stone site: When reading the name “Stone Cali-Belgique ipa”, “Cali” hints that it is a California-style IPA, and this brew has an undeniable Belgian influence, indicated by the word “Belgique” (which is how Belgium’s French-speaking population says the word “Belgian”; the Dutch-speaking Belgians say “België”). We carefully selected a Belgian yeast strain that illuminates a fascinating new aspect of the beer that is otherwise quite simply Stone IPA. The result is both completely new and different, while still being recognizable as a Stone brew — and Stone IPA in particular. Think of it as an otherwise identical twin to Stone IPA that was raised in a Belgian culture. Literally. Cali-Belgique pours a yellowy/orange/peach color. Maybe a little opaque as well. The head is dense and sits nicely atop this pour. A tantalizing display in a glass. The aroma that juts forth first is the expected clove/banana from the Belgian yeast, but wow is it fresh and intense, much stronger than I am used to. This is very aromatic. Behind all those spicy notes are the hops. The hop profile of the Stone IPA plays second fiddle but is a nice counter punch. Some good citrus smells and some pineyness. The taste is not just their IPA with some added spicy flavors. Its a little more complicated. Lots of lemon citrus flavors on the tongue are meshed with cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, pineapple, banana and the list goes on...There is also a nice floral hop flavor thats very fresh tasting. So much flavor and a good deal of complexity in such a thirst quenching beer. As this one warms and I get to the bottom of the glass the IPA takes over and the spices fade. Absolutely delicious. Consider this the product of a one-night stand with Stone IPA somehow ending up with a beautiful Belgian Ale!
Posted by Russ Labels: Belgian IPAs, Belgian-style Beers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Helios Ale (Victory Brewing Company)
Helios is a new release from Victory...sort of. Victory re-branded their V-Saison and made it a little less showy. Say good-bye to the cork and cage and the big heavy bottle and say hello to Helios and its simpler look. Same great beer though and at a more affordable price. I bought this bottle for $3.25 and I think I got a hell of a deal. Helios pours a lighter shade of gold, much lighter than the picture above seems to show. Its much more saison-like in color with a nice bit o' foam on top. The aroma is all those good farmhouse ale notes. Plenty of spiciness, a good amount of Belgian yeast smell and some sweetness along with some hay or grass. This is a touch earthy as well. The flavor is a great combination of so many of those smells. Its got a nice spicy, tongue tingling thing going on, which may also be coming from the carbonation level. There is a lot of the familiar Belgian yeast flavors coming through and combining with the sweet malt and some lemony citrus notes. Very flavorful and a great job with the style, the new appearance makes it that much more enjoyable. This is an undeniably thirst quenching beer, even at 7.5%. I really respect Victory for making this one more "approachable" to the masses. Cheers! Note: In Greek mythology the sun was personified by Helios. This is also where we get the word for helium, the gas that makes up the bulk of the sun's chemistry.
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Gargamel Ale (Allagash Brewing Company)
Gargamel is a Belgian Style sour ale or an American Wild Ale, your choice. Its Allagash's first offering in their limited release 375 ml series. There certainly are not many American brewers making these types of beers and those that do are mainly on the West Coast.
The Allagash site had this to say about Gargamel: "Our brewers used a blend of American 2-row barley Malt, Raw and Malted wheat and selected caramel malt to brew this 9.20 % ABV beer. After primary fermentation the beer was inoculated with our house Brettanomyces aged in French Oak wine barrels with a generous amount of local raspberries for over 18 months." It sounds pretty complex and sure to be delicious. American sours are quickly gaining popularity as more and more palates are adjusting to these tart and tangy beers. Gargamel pours a medium amber color with some hints of red. It has the carbonation levels of a champagne with a big bubbly head. The aroma coming from this innocent glass of bubbly beer is really one that needs to be appreciated, as its quite unique. The Brett(anomyces) is definitely playing a leading role, plenty of farmhouse funk going. That familiar musty smell is accompanied by some sweet and sour notes with just some faint hints of the raspberries. This is a sipper. The high carbonation level dances on the the tongue, its a two-step of funk and sour. A good amount of Brett is present, along with some vinegar and vanilla. This one is complex with many layers. The raspberry compliments things very nicely, the subtle fruit flavor is not overly sweet and adds a nice element. The rather high ABV for a sour is hardly noticeable, it drinks much lower. Unique and delicious, Gargamel is an excellent first sour release from Allagash. If only this was a beer that was easily obtained. Instead, Gargamel was only available for one day at the brewery and at a limit of 2 bottles per person. Thanks Luke for taking some time out of your day to get me a bottle!
Posted by Russ Labels: Wood-aged Beers, Fruit Beers, Sour Beers, Belgian-style Beers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Ascension (Haverhill Brewery/The Tap)
Ascension's label has a picture of some of the tap handles in use at The Tap (the Haverhill Brewery's brewpub) in Haverhill, Massachusetts. If you look closely you'll realize they are shoe lasts. Haverhill (pronounced HAY-VRULL) was long known as a center for shoemaking. I love that sort of stuff. Edit: From Jon at Haverhill Brewery, "Actually, we're located in an old shoe-factory in downtown Haverhill (my hometown) and we found the first group of shoe lasts that we converted into tap handles in a box upstairs." The label reads: Our Belgian IPA isn’t quite like any other beer. We brew using the highest quality malts, but the real focus is the hops. We use extensive amounts of Noble Saaz hops for aroma and flavor, giving the beer a clean, peppery finish. The Belgian yeast strain we ferment with adds a natural spiciness, so the finish is surprisingly refreshing – inviting another sip. Sounds good! Ascension, if you're not a wordsmith, is the belief that some people have entered Heaven without having died first...if you believe in that sort of thing. I really like that as a name for a beer! Let's get to it. Ascension pours a very dark amber, almost brown in color and rather cloudy and opaque. The head is a nice contrast as its bright white and sits nicely atop this pour. The aroma is quite interesting. I smell oranges, some other sweet fruit, caramel, some hoppy citrus notes and some of those familiar Belgian yeast notes (banana and clove). Very unique and quite nice smelling. The taste is very smooth, wow. Its got some nice citrus flavor, both lemon and orange, along with a good amount of sweet, caramel malt and those Belgian yeast flavors. Its a complex beer that is for sure, nothing to pour down your throat without pondering. I really dig this beer, its got a lot of flavors but they all work really well together. There's a nice crisp, dryness in the finish that wraps up each sip quite well. Great job my friends up in Haverhill! This was a great special release and an excellent style choice. Cheers!
Posted by Russ Labels: Belgian-Style Beers, Belgian IPAs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Wisby Klosteröl (Gotlands Bryggeri)
Gotland, is a large island off the east coast of Sweden in the Baltic Sea and Visby is the medieval city that is also the largest town there.
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 Midsommer Bryg (Herslev Bryghus)
At first I thought this was simply another one of the numerous summer style beers that appear every year in Scandinavia, usually they include the word "summer" in the name and claim to go well with grilled foods. On closer inspection this Danish beer actually has a lot more going on.
Posted by Kelly Labels: Witbiers, Belgian-style Beers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
  Belgica (Great Divide Brewing Company)
Belgica is a new summer release from Great Divide, it seems they are putting out quite a few new beers this year. From the label: Belgica - The Roman name for the Low Counties - is a marriage of the best in American and Belgian brewing traditions. Belgian pilsner malt, a generous amount of American and European hops and a unique Belgian yeast strain combine to give Belgica big notes of citrus and spice, creating a lively concoction perfect for spring in the Rockies - or the Ardennes. So, what exactly is a Belgian-style IPA? This is a newer beer style being brewed in both Belgium and the US and no doubt elsewhere as well. Its basically a Belgian ale thats been hopped-up with American hops complete with an unmistakable Belgian yeast strain providing a characteristic that sets it apart from its American cousin. Well, that is my take on it anyways. Pours a pale orange color, almost like an unfiltered wheat beer in appearance. The head is thick and there seems to be a good deal of carbonation. The smell is the Belgian yeast right off the bat, its almost saison-like in aroma. Very earthy and almost musty. As it warms it gets a bit spicey and sweet. No major hoppiness in the nose. Taste is a very unique combination of the sweet, spicey, earthiness of the Belgian yeast and the bitter, citrusy hops that definitely play a part on the palate. For me, it works quite well despite there being a bit of a sharp bit in the finish as well as some lingering dryness. I enjoy beers like this one because it shows a brewery's willingness to push the envelope and try something new. I also really like the label on this one, its simple yet very artistic. Great job Great Divide! There are a good amount of Belgian IPAs around nowadays, some other examples are:
Note: Great Divide's label not only provides the date in which this beer was bottled (April 24, 2009) but it also provides food pairings (Thai curry musssels, crab cakes, roast turkey or pheasant, Taleggio or Epiosses cheese). Good on ya, we need more breweries doing that!
Posted by Russ Labels: Belgian-Style Beers, Belgian IPAs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Walt Wit (Philadelphia Brewing Company)
O Captain, My Captain, Walt Whitman, not just the name of a bridge in Philly. He was a real human being too! I swear to you. The Walt Whitman House is in Camden, New Jersey and is open to the public in case you're interested in crossing the bridge that bears his name. The beer pours a light peach y color with big thick head. Very clean and clear. Smells spicy, as it should. That is the first thing that comes to my mind as I suspend my nose over the glass. There is also some sulfuric, sort of lager-esque aroma with this beer. It almost has a skunky (Grolsch, Becks, Heineken) sort of smell to it. Interesting... Big sip and...well, its not half bad. Its got a good amount of spice going on along with some decent malty sweetness. The lager-esque sulfuric quality is there as well but it doesn't really stand in the way. A bit of citrus and a nice yeasty flavor make this a nice example of a style that isn't so easy to reproduce. Easy to drink and refreshing. Not a bad witbier, but not amazing by any means. If you happen to come across the Walt Wit give it a shot, its as good if not better than that other witbier you see all the time, you know the one...the one with "moon" in its name...
A NOISELESS, PATIENT SPIDER by: Walt Whitman (1819-1892) NOISELESS, patient spider, I mark'd, where, on a little promontory, it stood, isolated; Mark'd how, to explore the vacant, vast surrounding, It launch'd forth filament, filament, filament, out of itself; Ever unreeling them--ever tirelessly speeding them. And you, O my Soul, where you stand, Surrounded, surrounded, in measureless oceans of space, Ceaselessly musing, venturing, throwing,--seeking the spheres, to connect them; Till the bridge you will need, be form'd--till the ductile anchor hold; Till the gossamer thread you fling, catch somewhere, O my Soul.
Posted by Russ Labels: Witbiers, Belgian-style Beers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Woody Creek White (Flying Dog Brewery)
Woody Creek White is Flying Dog's summer release. If you've grown attached, be sure to start stocking up soon since beer releases are like clothing in a department store, they come out before the season starts and are gone before it ends.
The Woody Creek pours a nice, clean, straw color with a decent amount of white fluffy head. The head slowly fades but leaves a perfect ring thats nice to look at.
This is a very aromatic beer, full of those spices that tend to be par for the course when it comes to Belgian wits. The coriander and yeasty smells really stand out with this beer as well as a bit clove. There are some sweet fruit smells that come along for the ride as well.
First sip is a satisfying one. Very spicy but refreshing, there are clove and sweet banana flavors along with a bit of the coriander and a very juicy finish. This is a great beer for a hot day or an warm evening around a bonfire.
Very good beer and really hitting the spot right now.
By the way, Woody Creek is a town in Colorado apparently of which (according to label lore), the founder of Flying Dog, George Stranahan, is widely considered to be the "unofficial mayor".
Posted by Russ Labels: Witbiers, Belgian-style Beers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
  Farmhouse Ale - Big Beer Series (Smuttynose Brewing Company)
Its bittersweet to see Smuttynose's Farmhouse Ale in the stores nowadays. That means that the Big A's days are numbered but it also means another delicious beer is now available! The label reads: Our Farmhouse Ale is an homage to traditional European beers brewed quenching the thirst of farm workers or "Saisonares". A unique Belgian Saison yeast is used to impart a mixture of spicy, fruity & earthy notes along with lip smacking palatability. Pours a slightly cloudy, clean, crisp orange color. The head is stark white and about an inch of fluffy goodness. Lots of bubbles make this beer look alive and quite refreshing. Smells spicy and funky just like it should. Lots of sweet apple smells also combine with the organic/earthy notes and even some hints of leather. This smell is exceptional. Taste is more of that spice and funk that comes from the yeast strain. The sweet fruit tastes are also present with a nice dry finish. Its an excellent example of the style in my opinion. Actually, this is probably one of the best saisons that I've had. The Smuttynose Big Beer Series is pretty much flawless so far this year.
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 PranQster Belgian Style Golden Ale (North Coast Brewing Company)
What can I say about the PranQster? Its another release from North Coast in Nor-Cal that deserves your attention. Everything else they brew is outstanding so this is you won't want to miss. The pour itself reminds me of a tripel with quite a bit more carbonation. The head is very bubbly and there is quite a lot of action with this beer. If you hold it up to the light it looks like a pilsner. Its pale gold in color with lots of bubbles coming up from below. The smell is actually faintly hoppy and citrusy, a bit yeasty and some sugary sweet malt. A couple more whiffs bring about some spiciness. All in all, a pretty decent smelling beer. Taste is quite sweet and fruity. The carbonation pushes the taste over your tongue and the sweetness is very nicely mixed with some spiciness. This is a very well balanced beer that is remarkably refreshing. I'm pretty amazed by the way the pour, the smell and the taste all seem to stand apart and yet they come together so well. This is a very bubbly , light looking, hoppy/citrusy/spicy smelling beer that has a lot of fruity and sweet tastes to it. All of the characters are very unique. I'd have to say that I am a big fan of this one. Its such a great all around beer. It reminds me a tad bit of its full-blooded Belgian cousing Orval. Its very full-flavored with lots of character and yet it looks like an easy drinking light tasting beer. Don't let that fool you, the PranQster is just what it says it is...
Posted by Russ Labels: Belgian-style Beers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
  Raison D'Être (Dogfish Head Craft Brewed Ales)
Raison D'Être translates from the French simply as "reason for being". As someone whose life somewhat revolves around good beer, I'd say that a lot of beers could carry a name like this one! The label reads: "A deep mahogany ale brewed with Belgian beet sugars, green raisins & a sense of purpose." Pours a deep dark amber and ruby colored hue. The head is about half a finger high and seems to be glued to the top of this beer. Its not going anywhere anytime soon. Smells sort of toasty and a bit like coffee. That can't be right, can it? Some nice sweet sugary tones come out along with a very slight vinous smell. Taste is VERY malty. Very sweet like brown sugar. Not a whole lot else jumps out right away. I'm waiting for the green raisins but I'm thinking thats not going to happen. There is an ever so slight taste of bitter fruit in the finish. Maybe that could be the alcohol though, this one is pretty hefty. Personally, I love some of the other Dogfish Head brews a lot more than this one. But, thats just my opinion. Give it a shot and form your own. Nothing they brew can be considered anything but good and most of them are great. This one's unique thats for sure!
Posted by Russ Labels: Belgian-style Beers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dubbel Reserve Ale (Allagash Brewing Company)
The Allagash Dubbel Reserve is the same beer (as far as I know) as the Allagash Dubbel that you can purchase in four packs. However, each bottle is corked and labeled with a particular batch number. This enables you to age a few bottles and attempt to taste some subtle differences between the batches. I'm not really sure how old "Batch 71" is but my guess is that it is a fairly recent release. I didn't age this for more than maybe a month so I don't even considered it "cellared". More than anything I just wanted to compare the corked with the capped. Pours a beautiful amber, slightly reddish hue with a very nice, thick fluffy head. Carbonation is a little less than I remember the small bottle having. A Belgian chalice sure can present a beer nicely. Smell is burnt sugar, toast and strong sweet malt. There are also hints of molasses and caramel in the nose. Taste is smooth and the initial flavors seem to be a little less intense. Definitely a lot of malty sweetness but the rich fruit flavors are a lot more hidden. The spiciness of the yeast makes itself present along with burnt sugar and toast that are also present in the smell. Feels like silk in your mouth, very easy drinking beer. Overall I love this beer. Its definitely one of my favorite American dubbels. I think I need to buy a few different batches and cellar them for some time and have a nice little "Dubbel Party" sometime in the future.
Posted by Russ Labels: Belgian-style Beers, Belgian Dubbels | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tripel Ale (Allagash Brewing Company)
Slowly but surely I'll make my way through all of Allagash's bottled offerings. The Tripel is one of four available in 12 ounce bottles. The others are the White, Dubbel and the Grand Cru. Its tripel time... Label reads: "Our golden hued 9% ABV tripel ale is marked by passion fruit and herbal notes in the aroma, with suggestion of honey surfacing from its complex palate. Perfect as an aperitif or compliment to fine cuisine." From the Allagash site: "This golden hued ale is marked by passion fruit and herbal notes in the aroma, with subtle suggestions of banana and honey surfacing from its deep and complex palate. The Tripel's finish is remarkably long and soothing." Pours a sunny orange color thats a bit opaque. On top is a thin head that may have been bigger and badder if I had let the bottle warm up for a bit longer. Smells sweet and sugary with some clove and banana coming through. Some alcohol notes come through along with some herbal or medicinal smells. Such a delicious beer. Lots of sweetness marked with bitterness that finishes at the tip of the tongue. Very crisp and quite juicy and refreshing (apple juice?). The stomach warming effects add a nice little sensation that definitely rounds out a quite enjoyable drinking experience. In plain words, the Tripel is outstanding. I'll need to get a corked bottle and age it a bit and see just how good this one can get.
Posted by Russ Labels: Belgian-style Beers, Belgian Tripels | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Cru D'Or Belgian Style Ale (North Coast Brewing Company)
Cru D'Or is one of two organic offerings (the other being Old Plowshare Stout) from North Coast Brewing Company out of Fort Bragg, California. Cru D'Or which means "Golden Vintage" in French, was originally brewed exclusively for the 25th Anniversary of Whole Foods. I guess its appropriate that I found this bottle at the local Whole Foods. Pours a very dark mahogany color with a rich creamy head. I let this glass sit for about 15 minutes and the head didn't go away at all, in fact it became thicker and tighter. This is an impressive looking pour. Leaning in for a whiff of this brings a strong wallop of juicy apple and yeasty smells to the nose. Their is some subtle spiciness along with some definite malty sweetness. Lots of very appropriate smells for the style. I think we are 2 for 2 so far... The taste is very smooth and the alcohol I couldn't smell too much of definitely comes through on my tongue. The strong fruitiness is really not as present as I hoped but the spiciness is more than I expected. The smoothness is very nice and as I continue to drink this one a lot of tastes become apparent and the complexity really comes out. Way to go North Coast!
Posted by Russ Labels: Belgian-style Beers, Belgian Dubbels, Organic Beers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kerberos Tripel (Flying Dog Brewery)
I want to start by saying thanks to Stephanie Kerchner at Flying Dog. You see, Stephanie sent me a bottle of this beer along with a bunch of information about Flying Dog's beers. She is also quite possibly the nicest PR person I've ever encountered online. Cheers Stephanie! In Greek mythology Kerberos is the hound of Hades. Its pretty apparent that the three-headed, fire breathing beast on the label is not a mild-mannered little puppy and neither is this potent Tripel. Kerberos is the newest release from Flying Dog and should complement their Canis Major series quite well. By the way, you can now get all four of the Canis Major beers in one convenient mixed four pack! Kerberos pours a nice, dark golden color with a thin lacy head. There is some haziness to it and its very apparent that this is not a thin watery beer. Lots of nice tiny bubbles make this beer look alive and well. The smell is wheaty, yeasty and pancake syrupy. I also get small amounts of clove, some dark fruit and some other spiciness. As it warms there are some definite earth (dirt and grass) tones as well. Tastes slightly bitter with some sweetness up front. The aftertaste is dry with some subtle spiciness. Its also quite warming thanks to the high ABV, which is to be expected from a tripel, but its also amazingly easy to drink. I like that this beer is bottle conditioned and that Flying Dog has branched out to another style, that is always commendable. Its a great attempt at a rather difficult style.
Posted by Russ Labels: Belgian-style Beers, Belgian Tripels | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Sour Brune (Portsmouth Brewery)
I bought a bottle of this at the little retail store next to the Portsmouth Brewery. It cost me $4. The whole transaction and process of acquiring this beer was extremely simple. To enjoy it, all I need to do is pop the cap and pour it in a glass and let my ingrained beer drinking skills take effect. Now, brewing this beer, that is a different story. Below are brewer Tod Mott's brewing notes: "All of the sourness in the flavor comes from the process of souring the mash. To create the ideal mash for souring we doughed in at 164°f. The mash eventually stabilized at 149.5°. We then proceeded with saccrification, followed by a vorlauff to clarify the turbidity of the mash. Once the extract was clarified we brought the temperature of the mash down (using the heat exchanger) to 130°. We added a handful of unmalted wheat to the top of the mash bed and floated a "bed" of Argon gas over the mash for about a half hour, displacing the oxygen in the mash tun and creating an "inert gaseous zone," making the atmosphere anaerobic. Then we left the mash to do its thing over the weekend. We arrived to the smell of pineapples and weird esters I had never encountered in a mash tun. We then ran off the extract as usual and brewed the wort, hopping it lightly and adding some malto-dextrin and lactose to sweeten up the wort, knowing the final product would be quite sour and might need some balance. That is how we made the sour mash Brune." Ready for the quiz? Basically, this process can easily lead to some off flavors and smells and takes a great amount of brewing skill to master. Anytime you are making beer and "Argon" is involved, you know you are waaaaaaay past brewing a pale ale in your kitchen. The Sour Brune pours a dark brownish, reddish color. Its got lots of little tiny bottles floating up to the top, almost like a glass of champagne. The head is slightly fluffy and dissipates quickly. The smell is not overly strong and there is not a sourness that would in any way be a turn off. Instead its sort of combination of malts and slight sour notes. A little bit of sour cherry and other fruits as well as a faint bit of vinegar. Its interesting, you can pick up lots of different subtle smells. The minute this stuff hits your tongue you feel the sourness. Even before your taste buds kick in, your tongue is telling you that its something special. Its a nice tart dry taste along with enough sweetness to balance it perfectly. It has some citrus tastes to it and the same response from my mouth as when I drink real grapefruit juice. It also has a similarity to a red wine. This is by no means a strong beer despite its complexity. Its very, very drinkable. I really enjoy sour beers. Some other beers like this are Flanders Red Ales or Sour Browns like Rodenbach and Duchesse de Bourgogne. Both are excellent and if you've never ventured into Sour Beerland, its a great place to visit!
Posted by Russ Labels: Flanders Oud Bruins, Sour Beers, Belgian-style Beers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Holy Sheet Über Abbey Ale Heavy Seas Series (Clipper City Brewing Company)
Holy Sheet! What a name for a beer. I absolutely love it! Don't let the name fool you though, this beer is no joke. Its another high octane contribution to the Heavy Seas collection from Clipper City Brewing Company out of Baltimore. The label says: "From the centuries-old tradition of Belgian Abbey monks comes our "Über Abbey" Ale. Aromatic and full bodied, pouring deep burgundy in color, it's bold, it's Heavy Seas. Grab a line...Holy Sheet!...or you'll be swept overboard. Seasonally available in February while supplies last." Pours very, very dark brown with hints of ruby redness (you can call that burgundy if you'd like). The head is stark white and fluffy and about a half inch in thickness. Its a nice rich head that hangs on (just like the pirate on the label). Smell is strong, sweet fruit with a touch of alcohol. Call me crazy but I am reminded just a little of Play-Doh when I smell this beer. Mainly, though, I am getting sweet fermented fruit and maybe a bit of cinnamon. Taste is impressive with this one. Lots of sweetness, juicy fruits and a nice bit of warming from the high alcohol. This is a rich and flavorful beer and a great American version of a strong Abbey ale. This is a very unique beer with quite a bit of complexity. Another great beer from the Heavy Seas collection! I love how American brewers aren't afraid to reproduce styles like this. It shows versatility as well as dedication to providing variety to the craft beer consumers in the US. Also, if you look closely at the label you'll notice the pirate is saying "Holy @#%*!" as he holds on for dear life during what looks to be one hell of storm! Too funny...
Posted by Russ Labels: Belgian-style Beers, Heavy Seas Series | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Red Sky At Night Saison Ale Heavy Seas Series (Clipper City Brewing Company)
The label on the Red Sky at Night... says the following (read with pirate voice), "This here pounder has a fine layer of yeast at her bottom. It won't send you to Davy Jones' locker, but will protect your brew from the rigors of life at sea!" It also says the following (read without pirate voice), "A sailor's delight - and even a landlubber's! Red Sky at Night is not red, its a saison - a Belgian farmhouse style ale. Imported Belgian yeast, candi sucre, and wheat malt deliver a refreshing yet intensely spicy and fruity ale." The term, "Red Sky at Night", refers to an old sailor's term relating to a red sky at night ("sailor's delight"), or smooth sailing with fair weather. This was the opposite of "Red Sky in Morning", which resulted in, "sailor take warning", or bad weather and, of course, sailing that day. Pours a light, golden color. Was I expecting something red? Maybe just a little, but then again, I didn't really read the bottle. Well, this one is a clean yellowish color with about a half finger of foam at the top. Smell is spicy and yeasty. A saison is a Belgian farmhouse ale and this beer definitely does a great job of fitting every required taste and smell to be considered such. Its a bit peppery and definitely has that Belgian yeast smell to it. Taste is rich, fruity with hints of spice at the end. Wow, this is an outstanding beer. Its just so well rounded. It starts out sweet and just finishes in a way that makes me think its an imported Belgian saison but yet so much fresher. Served nice and cold its a very, very drinkable beer. I love all the flavors the Red Sky at Night imparts; spices, yeast and dark fruits. This is an excellent beer. These Heavy Seas beers keep on impressing me!
Posted by Russ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dubbel Ale (Allagash Brewing Company)
The Belgian Dubbel, Tim Webb's Good Beer Guide Belgium says this about the Abbey-style: "A typical dubbel should be copper-brown to dark brown in color, contain some caramelised malts and be re-fermented in the bottle. It may have some candied sweetness. Bitterness may vary from soft to obvious. At the sweeter, lighter end they are much like strong brown ales anywhere. The more interesting ones are black and brackish like a strong porter, with elements of stewed tea." The Allagash Dubbel label states: "This dark-amber Belgian style ale is hand brewed with 7 different malts, a special sugar and our Belgian yeast. The result is a unique beer with a complex malty taste and a remarkably clean finish. " I say: It pours a very dark mahogany color. Light can't penetrate this color. The head of the beer leaves some thin lacing on the side of the glass and some swirls of foam remain on top of the beer. The smell is rich in malt and small hints of caramel. The smell of this one opens up as it warms a bit. There is definitely some dark fruit and some of that familiar Belgian yeast coming through. Taste is very reminiscent of some of those great beers I had over in Belgium. The ones with names I can't remember and I can never seem to find here. Tastes of tart and dried fruit along with that great Belgian yeast at first. The finish is sweet and compliments the initial slight bitter taste. It has nice soft mouthfeel that leads to a remarkably easy drinking beer.
Posted by Russ Labels: Belgian-style Beers, Belgian Dubbels | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Allagash White (Allagash Brewing Company)
Allagash White is the most plentiful of the Allagash beers. Its on tap a lot of places and far more people have at least given the White antry even if they haven't had some of the other more unique Allagash creations. Pours like a cloudy lemonade. Very light with the familiar haze of a witbier. The head is foamy and the yeast drips on top and stays. Be sure to follow the instructions on the bottle for best results (just like a true Belgian beer!). Smells of sweet orange, clove and yeast along with some other spices I can't sort out. Its very hard to describe the smell of this beer in detail since I'd probably describe something that smells like this as smelling like a Belgian wheat beer. First taste sets this beer apart from its counterparts. Its light, crisp and of course refreshing. It reminds me of sitting outside during the summer at the Porthole. They always have this on tap there. Allagash White is spicier than other witbiers and you really get a lot of flavor in every taste This is a beer I definitely enjoy most when its warm out, but its been a long winter and I missed it. Its a super easy drinking beer with a really memorable taste. Allagash White is a great craft-brewed alternative to Blue Moon (brewed by Coors) and Hoegaarden (owned by InBev). If you like those beers and haven't tried this one, you need to pick some up or order a pint next time you see it on tap.
Posted by Russ Labels: Belgian-style Beers, Witbiers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
