Allagash Odyssey

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

Huge thanks to boboski for sharing this one with all of us at the Orlando gathering.

Pours a dark golden body with a small, ruddy head. Aromas of wood, candied fruits, vanilla, yeast, some spice. Flavor is dominated by the wood notes, with some funkiness and spice coming to play as well. Finish is crisp, medium length and pretty dry. No sense really of the high ABV. Nice brew.

Dark amber color with a thin white head. Fantastic aroma - oak, musk, smoke, spice, yeast - a robust mix. Carbonation plays well under a thick palate. Oak and spice up front in taste, with a dry finish. Alcohol warms a bit. One of my favorites of the premium Allagash brews.

750ml, dated Oct. 2006. aged 8months. pours dark with off white head that lasts. nose has lots of vanilla and oak, toasted biscuit, very mild funk to it, some chocolate and coffee too. flavor is interesting, mild roast, caramel, mild chocolate, cookie, vanilla, subtle sweet alcohol warmth. mouthfeel is a tad fizzy and thin, finishes harsh with a slight charred toasted oak. this is tasty but i can’t help thinking this with cherries in the barrel would be killer because it’s just missing that something to make this special.

Bottled Oct. ’06...an excellent beer overall. What I liked most was the bourbon taste, which I found to be subtle, going well with the dried fruit flavors. Very dark and sweet but not overly so. I had to get a second bottle to share with my Dad, a bourbon lover. He did not appreciate it as much as me. though. I wish I had another one of these to age. I will have to look for it again soon.

I read on ratebeer forums that this beer can be drinking all day but I drinked and I think it is no Westernvleternein. It is not even Belgium! Why does the harsh whiskey so much? This is not a Belgium drinking.

Bottled October 2006 Pours a deep burgundy with substantial tan head that dissipates slowly. Dark fruity malt and sweet molasses to the nose. Taste is spectacular. A bit of the alcohol comes through among a balanced and complex burst of flavor. Mouthfeel is smooth and moderately carbonated. Great drinkability, this is one to savor and analyze. One of the most enjoyable brews of this style I’ve tried recently.

The aroma has a very appearant oaky flavor. The rest of the beer falls just a little short in comparison to the aroma. the taste seems a bit thin on the palate but it does have toasty flavors.

The aroma is very wooden and earthy with toasted malt, yeast, maple bacon, whiskey, brown sugar. The appearance is dark brown with a one finger head. The flavor is like the aroma with a touch of chocolate. The palate is thick. I like it but it’s just to wooden for me.