 JK (2356), Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA
Apr 27, 2008
Thanks to Oslo for sharing. I enjoyed this but not quite as much as the other guys. To begin, I would describe this as more of a barleywine than a Belgian strong. The palate is far too thin for a Belgian strong. The aroma has sugar and sweet, fermenting fruit. Flavor is a little sour, with dried fruit, oak, some alcohol. I didn’t pick up on the grapes or pinot. Very full flavored, but it might benefit form the addition of a little more malt.
MatSciGuy (171), St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
Jun 1, 2008 [Growler] graciously shared by OSLO and Guerde. Pours mahogany with a medium off white head. Aroma is pinot noir, caramel and raisins. Flavor is of warming alcohol, wine, and oak. The mouthfeel is slightly thin and quite dry, presumably from the wine characteristics and finishes a little tart. Overall a very nice beer, but the flavor doesn’t quite hold up to the nose.
akevitt (93), Valhalla, Minnesota, USA
Apr 30, 2008 Thanks to OSLO and Guerde for sharing the growler. Pours a ruby caramel color, with thin tan foam. When chilled oak and malt were the dominate aroma and flavor. As it warmed raisin and plum began to be detectable. The 10% alcohol was very well hidden. If you like the taste of oak, but not bourbon this beer is a must try.
badgerben (3001), Blaine, Minnesota, USA
Apr 26, 2008 Huge thanks to Oslo and Guerde for bringing this one back. Dark brown or reddish color. Wonderful aroma of sweet barley, wine and grapes, and a bit of French oak towards the end. The flavors are just outstanding. Plenty of sweet malt and barley. Woody and French oak vanilla. A little berry and raisin. Not much Belgian yeast character. Out-friggin-standing.
Guerde (443), Welcome, Minnesota, USA
Apr 26, 2008 (growler) Pours out light brown with a soapy white head. The aroma of this beer is incredibly complex. When colder the oak really asserts itself, and is a lot more sharp, with some hints of pepper, but there’s also some raisin that makes its presence known as well. Upon warming, the aroma really rounds out, with a lot of fruit coming through, (notably blueberry along with plum), with a lot of vinous smells too. Being 10%, there is only a subtle whiff of alcohol in the nose. The taste is very good with raisin, light caramel and plum, along with a lot of Pinot taste as well. The finish is really great with plenty of tannins, slight pepper, and just a hint of baker’s chocolate. The oaky finish and earthiness just lasts forever on this beer. Medium mouthfeel that really does coat the mouth. This is a great beer, and the barrel has been superbly integrated, very well done.
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