Allagash Victor

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

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

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Draught at EBF on 2/10/07
I think this is now the fourth beer I’ve had with fermented grapes/grape juice. Three of them, Cantillon Reed Gueuze Pinot Noir, Vigneronne and this, just seem overly influenced by the grapes. Perhaps that’s the intention, but all three have a chewiness, a fair amount of "sweetness" (even the lambics), and a "mustiness" for lack of a better word that I associate with wine. And I don’t particularly think it goes well in a beer, as it detracts from the barley character that I enjoy (hence why I drink beer more than wine). In this one especially, I don’t think it leaves enough beer character behind and creates a lot of weight on the palate, both acidity and/or grapey sour/tartness. The fourth one I’ve had, Southampton Peconic County Reserve was much brighter, less heavy and while it had some resemblance to champagne and had a fairly strong/tart white grape character, a strong grainy character and malty feel still came through.
I think brewers probably think, "If I’m going to do a beer with grapes added, I better make sure the grapes are noticeable" and then they probably err on the side of putting too much in instead of too little, which, IMHO isn’t beneficial. I’m sure it just takes practice, as this is very experimental territory. I think they will age nicely, as the fruit character fades and eases up. I’ve got 5 victorias stashed away to test that theory.

2012.04.21 - 750ml bottle in goblet. Pours a clear medium copper. Aroma is lightly booze and moderately prominent grape. Taste improved as it warmed up. A nice ale with an interesting grape undertone. A bit sweet, more of a sipper than expected. I was concerned this was going to be too much like wine, like DFH Noble Rot or something, but it was not. Not as boozy as aroma alluded.

Une base belge bien ordinaire derrière une pellicule vineuse sans grand éclat. Facile à boire mais malheureusement un peu handicapé par son manque fougue.

Pour out of bottle is hazy orange with thin white head, aroma has notes of dark fruits, hints of dark fruits, hints of biscuit and funk notes. Taste is a nice mix of red grape, some slight cab notes, hints of dark fruit, touch of biscuit. Pretty nice.

UPDATED: APR 9, 2012 Bottle @ Armin’s house. A bit hazy, light reddish orange appearance with a white head. Tangy apricot, pomegranate, a touch of red velvet cake, fruity, red grape aroma. Tangy, red grape/strawberry, somewhat tangy, moderate vinous, a bit spicy belgian yeasty flavor. Fairly enjoyable.

2009 vintage. Fuller bodied than the Victoria, but without the finesse and complexity.

Pours orange-green with no head. Aroma is wheat, grass, earthy, Belgian yeast. Taste is sweet and spicy, Belgian yeast and a bitter hoppy finish. Clean but oily mouthfeel. From someone who doesn’t care for Belgian ales, this was excellent.

2011 version. Big Belgian nose. Lighter than expected. Maybe the grapes have made this more sprightly. Getting a little fruit and some vanilla notes as well.

Bottle from craft beer outlet. Pours an orange color with little head. Has a musty aroma, and a sweet honey taste. I can pick up the red grapes at the end. Good.

Draft at Iron Abbey with Ann, Linh, and James. Pours a slight orange color with a little head. Aroma is slightly musty, mixing well with the Belgian yeast spiciness. Flavor is soft and sweet. Not incredibly complex until the end of the flavor. You definitely get a taste of the red grapes giving it a more drawn out, wine like finish.

Draft at Milltown. Pours straw gold with a generous sticky off white head. Nose is musty and slightly acidic with yeasty notes and a slight vinous quality. Flavor is a bit acidic, rusty, some toasted and aromatic grains. LIght bodied and a dry acidic finish. Light vinous sweetness.