Allagash Gargamel

Formerly brewed at Allagash Brewing Company
Style: Sour Ale/Wild Ale
Portland, Maine USA

Serve in Snifter, Tulip, Tumbler

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Big thanks to Kevin for sharing this one at this installment of our quite frequent tasting. A-pours a hazy caramel color with a tight off white head. S-the oak and vanilla come through right up front. a touch of wild yeast and balsamic, notes of lemon with a touch of cherry. T-slightly tart lemon up front, notes of earthy grain. the oak is strong in the middle, a touch of vanilla. a light balsamic vinegar comes in towards the back fading into a sweet, slightly tart cherry with a good amount of sourness and acidity. M-relatively smooth with a touch of graininess on the palate. good medium to full body with a nice crisp finish and good amount of carbonation. D-this is a very nice sour. a good amount of acidity and tartness to it, with a nice balance of sweetness. the oak aging was done very well and the french oak barrels have a real presence.

I lucked into getting to try a few half full large Allagash Chalice’s of this wonderful elixir. One even poured by Rob Tod and shared with a few other brewers who came to the release once the initial crowd thinned out. The glass had this awesome reddish brownish body brew covered with a short lasting head The aroma was a wonderful Fresh raspberries and Brett inspired goodness. The Oak ageing came into play as she warmed. It is hard to believe that this brew was a mistake. The flavors from the sourness and the funk, mixed well with the fresh raspberries. It is an incredibly well balanced sour and quite enjoyable. I saw a couple come in to the brewery not even knowing about the release. try it and really enjoy the brew, that just proved to me how well balanced the flavors are. It was crisp and light in your mouth adding another positive factor to the experience. The three glasses I had went down with out a problem, grant it was spread out for a few hours. To me the drinkability for this sour is off the charts I will say, yes I am from Maine and I am glad to see some attention being given this American Wild Ale from the west coat. So in that way I suppose I am biased, but give it a try and see if you agree

375 bottle, bought release day 5/7/09. This beer pours a somewhat cloudy dark orange/brown color. The head is a thin white foam that recedes to a ring. There’s a hint of red in the glass too, potentially from the raspberries. Aroma is a funky sour raspberry scent with sweet malt undertones. Flavor is at first a sweet almost dubbel like, which then melds perfectly into a sour tart flavor of both sour yeasts and raspberries. There’s a hint of the oak flavor in the beer. Mouthfeel is soft as silk. To me this is like a Panil Bariquee meets La Choulette Framboise, which is a heck of an accomplishment. This is the most impressive Allagash brew yet, and absolutely amazing. A sign of things coming from one of the best brewers in the US.

Body is hazy red-hue gold with a tall white head that fades to a misty covering. Some soapy lacing. Tart raspberry aroma right up front with a twangy funkiness coming through. The sourness gives way to a sweet red fruit. Some acidity is also noticeable. The flavor is light on tartness but the sweet fruit shows through nicely without being cloying. It’s a very natural fruitiness and I almost expect to feel raspberry seeds in my mouth. Palate is ok but I would like to have more tartness and acidity.

Bottle generously shared by MrBunn... Thanks Joel for stealing my Smurf thoughts.. Pours a murky orange...fizzy head..Aromas are tart cherries, white grapes and some apple. Best part to me about it is it doesnt have the Apple cider vinegar funk that many sours seem to have. Good blend of fruit flavors. Taste is about the same with a hint of raspberries showing through.Maybe its because I read the Description...maybe not. Very good overall....even if there is some mashed up Smurfs in the bottom of the barrel. They suffered for a worthy cause.

Thank you Peter for sharing this treat. Pours a reddish tan with rosy highlights and a medium off-white head. Funky aroma with raspberry fruit, malt, and soft barnyard characteristics. Malt plays a larger role in the flavor than I was expecting--the alcohol less so, which is surprising at over 9%. Mild tartness, multi-layered wild fermentation notes, soft raspberry, and mild hops spice. Quite a delicate body for a beer with these stats. A very intriguing, unique drinking experience.

UPDATED: FEB 13, 2010 Clear copper colour with a small beige head and minimal lazings. Very fruity raspberry aroma with notes of spicy fresh wood, light vanilla and raisins, vinous with some alcohol. Very rustic and nice fruit notes. Flavor is perfumey raspberrys, quite acidic and woody, slighty bretty and vinous with acidic berry notes and some raisins. Ends on a dry and somewhat acidic note with a lovely lingering raspberry sweetness and some warming alcohol. Mouthfeel is medium full with fine bubbled but sharp carbonation. Very nice rustic brew with gorgeous fruit character.

Bottle. Golden orange with pinkish hues and a small ivory-colored head that leaves some lacings. Nice genuine raspberry aromas in the nose coupled with prominent barrel notes, a hint of vanilla and lactic tart notes. Perhaps a gentle spicy tone. The flavor is tart with pleasant raspberry aromas. The raspberries are nicely integrated with the other flavors. Notes of fruit pits, lemon and oak barrels. Some herbs and spices. Ends with a note of alcohol, grassy bitterness, a mild bretty character and some lactic sourness. It’s surprisingly full-bodied, and this is a nice feature that leads the way to a dry finish. All in all, a well made, complex and very easy to drink.

Pours out golden/orange with light amber hues from the 500ml bottle shared by WeeHeavySD (thanks, man!): Strong brett aroma, raspberries, thick yogurt, woods, and caramel. Light to moderately puckering, with accompanying notes of sour grapes, some raspberries, cheese rind, and fresh oak. Buttery throughout with caramel whispers. Drinkability: An unforeseen balance for this kind of style, but I savored every bit of the surprise. Pairing: Long Clawson Long Claw Stilton. Rebuy: Yeah. #423 on 23042010 "423 on 4/23", DG .

UPDATED: MAY 9, 2009 Let me start by saying, the $185 speeding ticket on the way to get this, was well worth it. Poured an orange brown into my Allagash tulip glass. The head was a medium sized, creamy,and slightly off-white in color. The aroma is what really makes this beer. Raspberry and Cherries at first with a hint of alcohol. Also a nice amount of Brett with wood and some light citrus notes. When it first hit my lips there is a wonderful raspberry presence that plays well with that great sourness.Carbonation is lively with a astringent finish. The raspberry really don’t take away from the wonderful sourness of this beer. Thank you Allagash.