Allagash Four

Another good Maine Beer. Allagash does something with their beer: Love it to death.

I was very excited to drink this since I had very high expectations, especially considering the $11 price tag. But, it was most certainly worth it. All the work that went into brewing this beer paid off tremendously. Absolutly smooth and delicious... everything blends together perfectly. There is a bit of warming, but the 10% alcohol suprised me since it is hidden so well. Yes, it is expensive as hell, but give it a shot. It is well worth it.

Dark deep red or copper color. The head remained the same throughout the pour. Definite fruit aroma. Very complex smells. Good mouth feel with equally comples flavors. Fruit, yeast, and I would agree with a buttery aftertaste. Quite tastey. If only I was patient enough to age a bottle.

Allagash Four pours to a beautiful, deep amber to ruby color with a tall, thick, creamy white head and a lively amount of carbonation. The nose on this beer is complex and inviting, with a multitude of aromas that invite you in. Waves of sweet malt, ripe fruit, earthy yeast notes, and peppery alcohol flood the nose. The palate is lush and full on the tongue with complex flavors that dance on the tongue. Sweet and caramel malt flavors play against an under tone of soft ripe fruit flavors, and spicy yeast flavors. There is so much going on in this beer, you really have to savor this one to let the taste buds soak it all in. Allagash Four finishes with more complex malt, fruit and yeast notes, then ends with some herbal hop bitterness, and peppery alcohol that warms as it goes down. Wow. The most impressive beer from Allagash I have ever tasted, and that is saying a lot because all Allagash beers are world class. This beer is phenomenal as is, but like any good Trappist style ale, this beer will only get better with age. Some of those "raw", potent flavors, will mellow with age, and become deeper and more complex. Retailing for $7 a bottle, this beer is a steal, and I suggest you purchase a few bottles to drink young, and a few for your beer cellar. This beer is a fantastic after dinner beer, and would work well with hearty fare, as well as strong and sharp cheeses.

Wow. Nose that went from alcohol to pure caramell candy. As the head dissipated, some fruit crept out. Taste was of some caramel, then bananas and apples and cloves. Buttery, literally buttery mouthfeel. Slick, buttery finish with apples. Maybe some brandy in there. Impressive. Dare I say best American Belgian style?