Bullfrog XXXX Quad

Brewed by Bullfrog Brewery
Style: Abt/Quadrupel
Williamsport, Pennsylvania USA

Growler shared by goldtwins. Amber beer with a thin white head. The aroma is pretty nice really. Light sweetness with a touch of soft plummy sweetness. Light sweet Belgian malt without being overly sweet. A touch of clove and a bit of soft sweetness. Chewy sweet malts. There is a bit of chewiness, but not cloying. A touch of peppery booziness. It’s got a light touch of apricot and peach, but again, without getting into the sort of rancid sweetness that I often find along with those characteristics. It’s a pretty nice quad.

Growler shared by goldtwins - hazy dark red, soapy lace - cane sugar sweetness in the nose, with notes of plum and vanilla - fairly light-bodied for the style, and the alcohol is hidden very well, making this a very dangerous beer - aside from that, the flavor is of very clean, sugary sweetness (no stickiness, but very sweet) - some hints of plum and cherry, a splash of belgian yeast spiciness - not all that complex for a quad - it verges on boring.

Sampler @ brewpub. Color is a hazy brown color with a lightly sticky ring of white head sitting atop of it. The Quad is strong, it comes off as a lightly cherry/alcoholic kind of Quad. But it doesn’t get too strong on the alcohol (for its strength) and does not go into the syrupy sweet region of beers in this make up. I would prefer a little more time on this but even at this point it was fun to drink. You can put a few of these down without realizing.

On tap at the brewpub. Aroma runs with some peculiar red fruits, unique and raisiny. A little quiet. Pours a cloudy red-brown, with an orange fringe. A white rim. Flavor is dense, heavy on caramelized fruits, and a bit of herbs. A bit leafy. Then a long run of yeast generated spice, that spans the gamut of mediterranean, moroccan and chinese. Very flavorful. A heavier hopping hand really brings this up. The alcohol is strong, but somehow, not overbearing. Very good.

On tap, at brewery. Pours a hazy dark amber with a small off-white head. Very fruity nose with lots of alcohol, figs, brown sugar, and lots of sweet malt. Big malt up front, very Belgian Dubbel like as opposed to more traditional Trappist Quads. Lots of esters, bubble gum, yeast, raisins, some moderate alcohol noticeable but it’s not overpowering. Mouthfeel is very full and a little syrupy with moderate fizzy carbonation. Not too sticky on the finish. Pretty decent overall, a fair amount of complexity and they kept the alcohol heat in check pretty well.

Draft sample at brewpub. Pours brown/red with no head. Nose of molasses, raisin and mild grassy notes. Taste is all malt. Brown sugar and caramel dominate with prevalent apple and raisin. A fantastic body, thick and sticky. Alcohol flavor is present, but not overpowering, nor detracting. An absolutely fantastic Quad. A must have.

Sampled at the brewpub. Sweet malt aroma with raisin, tobacco and capers. Huge on molasses, light hops. Dark amber brown clear with light haze. Thin off-white head. Medium-heavy body, slightly thick, with medium-smooth carbonation. Starts sweet with caramel, molasses, macerated raisins, soy sauce, alcohol and esters. Just fantastic. Sweet finish with light hop bitterness. A very nice quad and would age very well. A little hot but not overpowering.

On tap at the brewery. Very hazy dark brown burnt caramel color. Nose of caramelized sugar with molasses and alcohol. Flavor is outstanding; raisin, molasses, caramel, plum, chocolate, and alcohol. Very rich body and very warming. finishes with some hits of vanilla and brown sugar. This is an excellent beer.