 Heathen (525), Riverside, New Jersey, USA
Dec 5, 2007
THOUGHTS: Sometimes, I think, Allagash gets a little too far away from beer in their special beers. This one is very different, but it stays just close enough to beer to work. It is very wine-like, but still seems like a Belgian. I guess they just took a different road to get to the destination. Well made, but nothing that really stands out. It’s different but subtle. It was a little better on the second glass when the yeast went in.
TECHNICAL: Bottle. Poured a dark orange, which looked sort of brown, like iced-tea, but when held to the light it was a glowing orange. It had an average-sized head that mostly diminished and left fair lacing. The aroma was a little moderate yeast, white wine, some spices, some oranges and a little alcohol as it warmed. The initial flavor was light sweetness and moderate acidity, while the finish was moderately sweet, lightly acidic and sour with an average duration. The flavor was white wine and yeast with some fruitiness and a little malt. The medium body was dry but that decreased when the yeast was added. There was fizzy carbonation and an lighlty astringent and lightly acloholic finish.
VTHopHead (709), Barre, Vermont, USA
Oct 13, 2008 750ml - Poured a quite hazy, darkish amber in color with a small foamy white head that stuck around and settled into a creamy covering over the beer. Aroma is of Belgian yeasts, grapes (fairly strong) and a nice malt sweetness. Flavor is very fruity (apples, grapes!, pear) and sweet... more than I really like, but not too much out of the malty Strong Ale character. Finishes with a fruit punch sweetness and some Belgian yeast. I really do like it, but just a bit too sweet for a higher rating from me...
iowaherkeye (1427), relocated to Santa Rosa f/Iowa, California, USA
Oct 8, 2008 750mL bottle, no date--I do not remember where I got this. My bottle tells me that it’s 9% ABV. Minimally hazy orange with a creamy one finger creamy yellowish white head, fading to a creamy small head. Aroma of overripened dusty oranges, light pepper, a hint of Belgian yeast and bananas. Upon first popping the cork and smelling bottle, there were light tart red grapes--not as hard to pick out as it was in the glass--the candi sugar and fruity sweetness kinda beat the grape down. Flavor was much the same with overly sweet fruit and Belgian yeastiness. Too sweet for me--bitterness peaked at a 1 to 2, with only a little alcohol noted. Low carbonation with a full body. A little underattenuated for me, though if that was fixed I still doubt I?d like it much.
TheBeerGod (2873), Newport News, Virginia, USA
Sep 21, 2008 Bottle - 750 mL corked and caged - courtesy of loosecannon! Hazed amber pour with a small off-white head. Aroma is spices, grape skins, fresh flowers, Belgian yeast, and sweet malts. Some candied fruit notes as well. Taste is ripe fruits, Belgian yeast, floral notes, grape skins, some pear, candyish notes, peppery spices, and some earthy notes. Body is medium with a moderate carbonation but is really rather dry. Ends with more spices, ripened fruits, fresh cut flowers, Belgian yeast and light funk.
Oakes (7030), Miami Beach, Florida, USA
Aug 23, 2008 Hazy golden-amber. The aroma is woody, footy, slighlty fecal, with light fruity and vinous accents. Spritzy body shows grape, rich pale malts, woody/peppery hop/alcohol balance and light pediococcus. OK, but nothing jumps out as being special.
vyvvy (1775), Hazelwood, Missouri, USA
Aug 23, 2008 I expected the score on this one to be a lot higher ~ what a fine beer this turned out to be. Pours pale orange with a small faint beige head with large bubbly carbonation. The aroma has red wine grapiness in the forefront, Belgium blond ale traits underneath and light yeasty earthiness. Medium / thin body with lots of prickly carbonation. The taste starts similar to the aroma, but there is a overabundance of carbonation that mutes a good deal of the flavor ~ the blending of the Belgium traits with the wine traits is still quite enjoyable. As it warms the carbonation mellows a lot and there is a more noticeable infusion of dry grapes and sweet Belgium malt. The alcohol is very well hidden. Another fine beer from one of my favorite breweries.
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