Holy Mackerel Special Golden Ale

Bottle from gunhaver. Thanks Geiger! Pours a mildly hazy orange gold with absolutely no trace of a head. Aromas of spice, yeast, banana, orange, alcohol. The flavor is much of the same except for some grassy hops and a light skunkiness. Light to medium carbonation and an almost thin body make for an extremely drinkable brew. Only a touch of alcohol on the palate, thought there was more in the nose.

Bottled. Pours with a great head that sadly is gone within seconds. Mostly cloudy bright orange. A bit of cinnamon, hops, harsh fusels in the nose. Flavor has clove, garlic, yeast, fruitiness. Nothing to see here, move along.

Sampled in the presentation tent at WBF Raleigh. Pale peach color, medium head. Strong yeast aroma with fruitiness and cotton candy. Grainy malt taste with notes of citrus, cotton candy and tropical fruits. Alcohol is well hidden.

Draft from Rossi’s served in a Tulip. Strong yeast up front, very similar to the Unibroue La Monde except lacking the citrus complexity. Taste wise its a little thin, the ABV is a little too present. Its good but forgetable.

Draft at hotel bar in Miami. Poured dark amber with average rocky off-white head. Medium sweet aroma of citrus and banana. Medium body with a sticky texture. Medium sweet flavor and small hops and light alcohol bite for a finish. Good brew and high ABV.

12 oz bottle. Pours a slightly hazy dark gold body with a white head that vanished quickly. Nice fruity nose with lots of banana esters and a hefty alcohol vapor. The flavor is very fruity as well, with banana, clove, and marshmellow. The moderate alcohol keeps it from being really easily drinkable though. Moderate pale doughy maltiness. Mouthfeel is full bodied and thick with a texture that’s just shy of syrupy. Moderate fizzy carbonation. Overall, this wasn’t anytjing special really, but it did exceed my expectations.

(12oz bottle, vintage 2007) Small white head with clear apple juice body. Aroma is medium sweet, grassy, some honey, alcohol artingency. Taste is medium sweet, honey, some cantaloupe, light grassy. Watery medium body.

12oz bottle, courtesy of argo0. Thanks, Aaron! Pours a yellow-orange color; minimal head. Sugar, honey, and intricate yeast in the aroma; pleasant enough. Medium mouthfeel: chewy Belgian sugar, yeast, and bread; very basic, drinkable Belgian ale; high levels of carbonation. Medium finish: sugar, yeast, and esters; a metallic touch.