 fiulijn (5860), Como; Lausanne (CH); Malmö (SWE), Italy
Aug 8, 2007
I don’t know what was worng with it, but this bottle was leaking, there is a lot of yeast even below the cap and it pours 10 cm of pure foam in my Belgian glass; it just makes me believe that the bottle fermentation was too much, maybe due to the average daily temperature in Milan, ~34°C
The foam drops and leaves behind a cloudy golden or light amber Ale, topped by beautiful whipped eggwhite.
The aroma is first dry and spicy, like a typical Tripel, later also sweet and fruity, with a touch of pine resin.
Good body structure, with a very good malty flavor (dry), still some sweetness, an impression of alcohol, and a touch of yeast of course.
The bitterness is bold, turning to be amost astringent, contributing to a strong and long final.
After so many IPAs / APAs, finally an Ale that takes me back to my old love for Belgian treasures. Excellent, fantastic, complex, whirling.
surlysober (23), Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
Aug 17, 2008 FIRST TRIAL: A thick white head covers the foggiest, haziest, dirtiest, orange body I think I’ve ever seen; aroma is very spicy from both the European hops and Belgian yeast; alcohol is definitely there in the taste, but is restrained by the bitterness and almost candied sugar-like sweetness; there’s far less carbonation than in most Belgians, but still more than a typical ale. Overall, this isn’t a fantastic beer, and I’ve had hoppier Belgians, with other more redeeming qualities, but it was interesting enough that I’m glad I bought it once.
EithCubes (1797), Indiana, USA
Aug 14, 2008 Bottle. Very floral, extremely spicy aroma, touch of coriander and candi sugar in with angular, dry and gritty yeast. Hazy, opaque orange pour with a very excited, foamy beige head. Taste is bitter, very carbonated, yeasty, and way, way, way, over-spiced. Very dry with exotic fruit coming in via the hops, but again, the yeast / spice combination is way over the top and makes this nearly undrinkable. Hard, rocky mineral water, with plastic and some alcohol. Some clear Tripel character. Medium-full body. Nasty syrupy aftertaste, touch of grain in there, too. A big, overblown mess (and I thought only American brewers made those!).
hotstuff (3038), Indiana, USA
Aug 10, 2008 Bottle. Medium sized off-white head that was frothy and fizzy and mostly diminished, a lot of floaties, splotchy lacing, no visible carbonation, hazy, and a dark golden hue. The aroma was malty, hoppy but not overly so, spicy, sweet and fruity. The flavor was a little acidic, mildly bitter, spicy, some maltiness, yeasty, and a short dry finish. The mouthfeel was tingly and dry. A medium bodied beer. I did not notice the ABV playing a big role in this beer. I liked the aroma, but the flavor seemed to be all over the place for the style. This beer did not leave me wanting it again.
Beerlando (1237), Orlando, Florida, USA
Aug 3, 2008 Draft at Redlight Redlight. Pours a cloudy, glowing, golden-orange color. A small, foamy, off-white head is quickly fleeting, leaving spotty, soapy lacing to rejoin the body. The aroma shows fumy yeast notes up front, followed by sweet fruity notes, honey, and a kiss of dusty, dry, grassy hops. Flavors are bittersweet and funky, with semi-sour white fruits posting up against moderately bitter, dry, floral and grassy hops. Some indiscernible dark spice is in there as well. Medium body and balanced carbonation. Drinks easy. Hoppiest beer in Belgium? No, not by a long-shot, but still a solid, enjoyable beer.
redlight (1042), Winter Park, Florida, USA
Aug 1, 2008 draft @ redlight redlight. Citrus hops with hints of pine and sweet malts on the nose. Pours a cloudy golden amber with a thick white head. There is a very different hop flavor, a very floral bitterness, honey citrus with a spicy fruity bitterness. A lovely flavor profile. A great beer!!
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