 jhumphries69 (537), Tyrone, Georgia, USA
Jun 20, 2008
750ml caged&corked bottle. Pours a very cloudy orange that seems to glow intensely from within when held to the light - beautiful. The head pours up off-white in color and very thick, even, with small spots/pockets - like pancake batter. A large ring of lace remains on the glass. The aroma is mesmerizing and hoppy: grassy and herbal with oranges and pears. There is also a tinge of crystal malt and honey drifting around the nose. The flavor starts sweet with some breadiness and a very pleasing hop flavor and bitterness. By mid-palate, the bitterness grows as do notes of pine, flowers, and grapefruit. The finish is bitter and somewhat dry with a hoppy aftertaste and some residual malt sweetness. The alcohol is almost unnoticed - just a subtle warming in the chest after a few sips. What a beautiful beer! The mouthfeel is heavily carbonated and the carbon dioxide tickles and stings with pinpricks all over the tongue, greatly accentuating the perceived bitterness. Overall, an absolutely awesome brew that defies category - though I’d say it’s closer to an Imperial IPA with some ester and grassy character from Belgian yeast than it is a Belgian Strong Ale with lots of hops. One of the best beers I can remember tasting in a long time.
durhambeer (539), Durham, USA
Oct 9, 2008 Sample from WBF in Durham; better than paying the top dollar for this one. Bright hazy golden pour. Strong alcohol taste overall, though floral hops and yeast are also present. Reminded me of a tripel.
vyvvy (1756), Hazelwood, Missouri, USA
Oct 9, 2008 Pours light bronze with a fizzy beige head. The aroma has musty caramel malt, Belgium yeast, earthy hops and mineral notes. Medium / full body with some mustiness and quite a bit of carbonation. The flavor starts with chewy malt, licorice, spicy / earthy hops, dark caramel and an overabundance of mineral traits. The finish has even more mineral presence. This is an okay beer, but is in no way up to the normal Allagash standards.
kwoeltje (1222), Manchester, Missouri, USA
Oct 5, 2008 (750 ml bottle) hazy orange gold with small white head. Some lace. Aroma is floral/citrus hops and yeast. Flavor is floral and citrus hops, some sweetish malt, and a hint of yeast in the finish.
VTHopHead (702), Barre, Vermont, USA
Oct 5, 2008 750ml - Poured a darkish reddish amber in color with a fairly big whitish head that settled to a creamy foam over the beer. Some nice lacing on the glass. Aroma is an interesting combination of Belgian yeast and plenty of citrus and herbal hops... really nice. Flavor is much more about the bready yeast than the hops. Hops make themselves known at the end... both in a nice hoppy flavor and some finishing bitterness. Unusual hoppiness for a Belgian, but a welcome (and *very* interesting) change from the usual Belgian Strong Ale. I really like this one...
branspra (53), Arlington, Virginia, USA
Oct 5, 2008 Bottle. Pours with a large white head, excellent lacing, with a cloudy and dark yellow body. Hints of pears, bananas, hops, lime, and tons of citrus. Texture is slick and carbonation is lively with a bitter aftertaste. Decent beer but too much citrus and bitter taste for my liking.
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