4.1 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 17/20
On tap downtown-Pours ruby red with a thin white head that laces nicely. Cherry pie filling on the nose, but not artificial. A touch sweet. I’ve picked cherries in Door County, and this smells like them. Tastes like them too--deep, dark cherries, juicy and sweet, skin and all. Big malty finish balances out the cherry and makes this a bit bolder than NG’s Belgian Red. Really good stuff. I like the Dane more than some, but this was still a bit of a surprise.
3.7 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 16/20
Sample at downtown location. Dark red pour with hint of haziness and white head. Nose of big tart cherry, hint of alcohol. Taste is more huge tartness from the cherries, along with a substantial malt backbone. Finishes aggressively. Not as outstanding as the NG Belgian Red, but really a wonderful surprise.
4.1 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 17/20
On tap at the downtown location. Brilliant red/pink. Aroma is fairly lackluster with mild cherry and spice. Flavor was a pleasant surprise. An acidic cherry start that swings to sweet and tart in the middle and evens out again at the end with a hint of the pale/wheat-type malt coming through. A great spicy quality gives this beer a cherry pie filling type of flavor and is quite impressive. A little sticky and a mild touch of alcohol, with added well to this offering. A tad choppy flavor, but overall easily enjoyed.
3.9 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 15/20
On tap at brewpub
Like a beefed up version of New Glarus Belgian Red this beer much more dessert like than many lower ABV fruit beers. The result is something that leaves you full after only a single glass. A few of these wouldn’t be out of the question except for the heaviness in the stomach though.
Aroma / Appearance - The flat ruby red body and thin wavy head provide a good pairing. Malt, dense cherries, and a sweet licorice like texture result in a feel like Belgian Red’s big brother.
Flavor / Palate - Sweet cherry pie rinses across the palate like the filling of a fruit tart. I was actually blown away given Great Dane’s usual track record. If you find this on tap save it for last to properly enjoy a beer which is a hidden gem among the stars of the Madison area.
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