Allagash Interlude

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

2005. I was skeptical on purchasing a bottle that cost more than $20, but then I remembered that this is a really consistant, really solid brewery, so I figured what the hell. Cork pops off with ease, and the smell of fruits just fill the nearby area where I was sitting. Pours out a light red color with a minimal head. Taste is fruity, smooth, malty, and all sorts of other things going on here. This is so drinkable, and so refreshing, that it almost reminds me of other styles of beer, fruit beers or flemish sours, to be exact. The fruitiness of the merlot is there, for sure. Such a rich and fulfilling beer that I do not even care that it cost what it did. This is a serious beer for serious beer drinkers, and if you don’t like it something may be wrong with your tastes. I am really glad I have another bottle of this to sit down for a while, because this thing will continue to develop for many years to come. Perfect beer, perfect blending of all the elements that make beer what it is, and just down right incredible. Ignore the price tag, and buy yourself a bottle of this wonderful beer.

750ml caged&corked bottle. Pours a deep russet with brilliant orange and auburn highlights and a medium-sized, short-lived, off-white head. The aroma is strong - I caught a smell immediately after opening, before pouring and without even bringing my nose close to the bottle lip. The first thing that jumps out is the sour - not overwhelming or vinegar-like, but pleasant like tart raspberries. There is also a great cracker/biscuit malt character in the aroma that blends harmoniously with the sour berry aroma. There are other smells in there too - dust/must, strawberries, dessert wine, and toffee. The flavor starts with a nice duo of berries and cereal grains. It gains in earthiness and fruity funk towards mid-palate with a definite red wine note slowly making itself known. The berries strengthen on the middle of the tongue, and there is some new funk at that point, too: earthy and musty like old leather (a hallmark of Brett). The finish is dry and spicy with some woody flavors and notes of dark currant jelly. The mouthfeel is full and fluid, creamy and slippery. The high carbonation gives the impression of strawberry soda at mid-rear of the tongue. Overall - holy crap is this good!!! I wouldn’t have believed I could taste so fine a fluid three times in two days (I’ve also been treated to Allagash Hugh Mallone and Brooklyner-Schneider Hopfen Weisse last night and today). This is one of the most complex and mesmerizing beers ever. And somehow, despite its complexity, it remains drinkable and delicious. Fascinating...

750 split with and provided by gputty. My GOD, I love this beer! Clear burnt orange pour, dense light beige head. Dense veil of white lace. Sweet, fruity nose - white grape, honeysuckle, sweet and sour brett. Wine notes are there, but blunted. The brett is soft in the mouth, a sweet funky muted tart flavor. Oak notes are there, as are berries and a mild tannic quality. Fantastic integration!

750ml bottle from The Lighthouse in Manchester. 2007 vintage Pours a virtually translucent amber-red with a thin film of off-white head. Smells sweet, fruity, and sour/acidic. Tastes fruity, bready, and sour/funky, but not overwhelmingly so. Flavors are extremely subtle and balanced. Medium-bodied with surprisingly low carbonation. Wow. This beer is the most unique beer I have ever encountered, unlike any other beer I’ve had. Delightfully sour/funky, but not a sour bomb. Nothing wrong with this beer, very well-crafted doubt. Even at the cost, (about 17$ per bottle), I would not hesitate to buy up more. Can’t wait to see how it ages (have a bottle of 2007 and 2005 aging now)!

Very complex, very flavorful, very authentic, domestic example of a Belgian strong/saison inspired beer. Pours to a beautiful, hazy, deep golden color, with a rocky white head, and a vibrarant carbonation. The nose on this beer is outstanding, with lots of good sour and vinous notes, paired with aromas of ripe fruit, and oak. The palate is firm and crisp, with good pale and sweet malt, paired with oaky/vinious flavor. The beer finishes tart and refreshing, with more good pale malt and oak, then ends with a tart, sourness that lingers. I really enjoyed this one. The only knock for me is price. I paid $18 a bottle for this one. I can get Saison Dupont, for $6. 3 bottles of Dupont, vrs one bottle of Allagash? I know it took Allagash a lot of time and effort with this one. I know they used brett yeast, and aged this in oak barrels that once held merlot and sirah wine. I know it was costly for them to make this one, But, sorry Allagash, you lose. I’ll take the Dupont at those prices.

Man is this the shit! A crisp triple base - slightly on the dry side, with subtle brettanomyces and woody elements coming through. Balance is truly out of this world! Fizzy and refreshing, but highly complex and absolutely wonderful!

750 ml bottle 2006 vintage. Hazy amber and orange color with a off white head. Red wine notes with a dry after taste, a very good beer!!!!!

EBF ’06: I had this back to back with Ommegeddon and liked it a lot better. Smoother and more flavorful than a lot of Saisons I’ve had.