Allagash Fluxus 2008

Formerly brewed at Allagash Brewing Company
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Portland, Maine USA

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

send corrections   |   shelftag   |   edit barcodes   |   add pic

On draft at the Main Tap in El Cajon. Lots of ginger in the aroma with a very subtle hint in the flavor. The flavor was a bit bland. But still pretty good because of the ginger.

Draft at Main Tap. Lots of Ginger in the aroma. Sweet ginger. Reminded me of Ginger Beer. Flavor fell off a bit with more ginger and some spice that struggled to come through. Still pretty good.

The body is a hazy, glowing, orange-amber color with a lasting, frothy, off-white head. Spotty lacing slips and slides about the glass. A bold but well blended aroma of crystallized brown sugar, candied orange peel, ginger, cinnamon, and coriander is accompanied by a light floral hoppiness and a distinctly Belgian yeasty note. Flavors are equally complex, candy sugar malts spiced delicately with clove and citrus peels, along with a very minty herbaciousness and spicy ginger. The yeast profile is dry, with a funky, saison-like twist. Big bodied and well carbonated, there is very little annoying cloyingness that plagues many brews in this mold. This is another winner from Allagash.

On tap at 515 in Santa Cruz. Poured into a snifter. Nice fluffy white head atop a cloudy white peach body. Good lacing and retention. Aroma is decidedly spicy. Lots of coriander and nutmeg, with the trademark zing of ginger. Flavor is sweet and spiced. Ripe pear with eggnog, coriander, and ginger notes. Mouthfeel is very full for a witbier. Carbonation is good, alcohol is minimal. Overall a fulfilling and flavorful wit.

Sampled at Stone Brewing. It had lots of herbal elements with some sweet Belgian malt. It was better than the 2007 one. Almost more like a single or belgian ale.

2008 edition, sample at Stone. Didn’t realize there where different yearly variations. Color was dull gold. Aroma was herbal and a bit medicinal. Some banana and yeast in the flavor, but it was dominated for me by the very herbal and spiced flavor. golubj liked it more giving it a 3.8, after no initial comments, he noted that it had lots of herbal elements with some sweet Belgian malt.

Bottle. Excellent beer! Frothy head with a cloudy / hazy body. Hints of molasses, citrus, orange, banana, maply syrup, and ginger. Nearly perfect balance of flavor - highly recommended.

Wow! Cloves and cinnamon. Hmmm all sorts of spice flavors with a mild yeast funk. Its very different from anything I’ve had recently, would personally label it a herb/spice ale. Allspice? maybe a little cardamom. Ginger is hard to identify but its a dominate flavor. Points off on appearance as it looked like a headless whitbier. Came in a tiny 20cl glass which is too bad as I could have drank this all night.

Bomber, shared. Pours a hazy gold with a lingering, lacy white head. Aroma is floral hops, coriander, and an ever-so-slight hint of ginger. Taste is a bit more spicy than the average double white, with sugar and coriander notes coming through in addition to the usual slight vanilla, banana, and floral hops. Finish is dry and sweet. This is a wonderful offering from Allagash, and I’m already looking forward to Fluxus 2009.

750ml bottle. Poured a hazy yellow color. The head was white with good retention. Some lace was left behind on the glass at the end. Attractive aroma of flower blossom, sweet orange marmalade, lime, and coriander. Medium bodied and semi-sweet with a light chalky feel. Well orchestrated melange of flavors including the likes of citrus fruits (orange and lime), coriander, peach pasty, and a dash of powdered sugar. Delicious. I prefered the this one to the ’07 Fluxus.