Allagash Interlude

Brewed by Allagash Brewing Company
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Portland, Maine USA

34 US dollar bottle (75cl), Odense/Denmark. Amazing unclear orange with a red hew & fine lasting white head that drags handsome lacings. The aroma itself was teriffic. Oak, wood, yeast, alcohol, sugar, hops, vinous wine. Wonderful fruityness. Very smooth & soft body. The finish lasted like forever & gave a light warmth. So nice...

750 ml bottle. 2007 vintage. Poured a slightly hazy orange color. Head was white and bubbly with decent retention. A bit of lace was left behind on the glass at the end. Funky brett aroma accented by light apple. Tasted of clove, white wine, and again, funky brett. There was also a pleasant cereal grain flavor. Excellent beer.

(750 ml bottle (2005) from <A HREF=http://www.ratebeer.com/Place/maine/freeport/ target=blank>Derosier’s, cellared for 1 year after purchase) Nice, interesting but not great ...Pours hazy lightly crimson amber with a small off-white head. Aroma surprisingly "flat" - I got just lilies and some sweet candyish malt, but kind of had to dig. Mouthfeel lightly fizzy, medium-full, nothing really remarkable. Flavor is initially quite heavy on the Merlot and Sirah, eventually giving way to more sourness. I found the sourness sort of acidic and biting. It is somewhat countered by light grapeiness and some light malt sweetness but not quite enough. For all they went through to make this I think it ultimately wasn’t quite worth it.

hazy golden with a low white foam. Fruity and tart aroma of bretts, citrus, white grapes and wood. Full and lively flavour of citric fruit, wild yeast, wood and white wine. Full bodied with a prickly carbonation. Long fresh finish of lemon and green grapes. Nice one

Bottle enjoyed with blackbread and aged camembert. Clear amber red with small cream colored head with good retention. Aroma of marzipan, decomposing apples and some balsamic vinegar balanced by sweet fruitiness. Very full flavoured and tart with remarkable bitterness. Almonds and alcohol leading to a dry and warming finish. Full mouth feel and soft delightful carbonation. Very interesting and tasty ale that could use more complexity in the flavor at first, but grows on you aas you get down the bottle. Good introduction to sour ales IMO.

2007. Acquired in trade with mj. Copper color with a slight haze. Moderately thick uneven off-white head. Aroma gives off a lot of fruity yeast aromas and a bit of a mild earthy funk. Thick palate and the carbonation springs nicely from under the thickness. Good fruity mix of Belgain malts and light funk to start the taste. The finish is a little spicy and funky, and the alcohol is a bit detectable. Overall, a well-made Belgain, but not my favorite Allagash.

Draft. Apricot orange color. Aroma was fruity with yeast and mild sour notes. Fruity with the flavors of oranges,plums, and breet mixing together. Like wine in some aspects. Dry light tart finish.

2005. Cork pretty much jumped into my hand as I removed the cage. Amber/gold. Small, foamy white head disappears quickly. Lightly tart nose of apple, pear, mild cherry, barn funk, subtle vinegar, and light sweetness. Flavor adds some vinous notes, oak, generic light fruits, alcohol, subtle vanilla. Very dry finish has a good amount of funk. Full body, a little too much carbonation. Great brew, one of their best.