Lakefront Fat Abbey Strong Ale

Formerly brewed at Lakefront Brewery
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Milwaukee, Wisconsin USA

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

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It is pretty nondescript. I had it on tap, not sure if it was ever released on bottles. I believe it is a sort-of contract brew.

On draught at the City Lounge in Cudahy, WI. Pours a semi-hazy, orange amber brew with a small milky white head that has excellent retention and nice lacing. Aroma of caramel malt, citrus zest, a hint of pine and toffee. Taste is medium bodied, flavors of caramel malt, some dry citrus hops, with some tart fruit. Finish has a sharp bitterness that quickly disappears. Definitely more like a Tripel than a Belgain ale.

UPDATED: SEP 4, 2009 Pours to a hazy ruby red color with lively carbonation and a thick creamy beige head. Aroma is caramel, nutty and doughy. The flavor is very hoppy with a combination of American citrus and English hops, rich malt, Toffee and brown sugar. Medium bodied, average carbonation. Somewhat long finish.

On tap at Birreria Paradiso in Georgetown, DC. Cloudy ruby, off whitehead. Aroma is hops, carmel, pine. Flavor is caramel, hops, dried fruit, vanilla.

The appearance of this beer is a hazy dark orange. It had great tightly-wound head formation. I thought this beer was beautiful. This beer had very little aroma. The beer itself tastes a bit like a tripel to me. It is slightly sour and a bit like a cabernet in both its mouthfeel (very full) and flavor. The taste is bold with notes of grape sourness and alcohol. The hop character of the beer becomes evident later, and is quite pleasant. As I mentioned, mouthfeel is substantial, but appropriate for the style. This beer is a mouthful, and is not exceedingly easy to drink. Nonetheless, it is definitely worthwhile.

One of Lakefront’s better beers..........................but. Dark Reddish body and a decent head which sends smells of caramel and tart fruit to my nose. Definate Cascade profile I’m getting, but stands out too much amoungst the malty tapastry that was laid down. A bit cloying on the sugars. Decent job on bringing out some of the esters, but not near what a good Belgian Strong should have. This is one of the most challenging aspects for these styles, but you can tell they were just shooting for something in the ball-park of where this style should be. Decent attempt, but falls short.

This is definetly a fine choice to make at the brewerey. Nicely balanced and deliciously strong. Pours a dark amber and has a hoppy/malt interplay that really hits the spot. Oily and sweet.

by far a feat of brewing conquered with this beer. on tap at trocadero, nomad and comet cafe. a beautiful beer to look at: dark amber, reminding one of lost loves and times gone past…find them again among the bubbles. the first sip gives an amazingly full mouthfeel exploding in taste that is not syrupy or overwhelming. alcohol is present and delicately masked by the terrific taste and perfect carbonation. not sweet, but subtle citrusy fruit and flower tastes insist their way upon the palate. this beer increases in beautiful taste as it warms. the hoppy kick of this strong ale reminds one that this is a beer being drunk. it is perfect on all counts. this is the beer i judge all other beer by. cheers, friends.

Drank this at the brewery and it was downright delicious. The hop character and strong malty backbone are a great match, and it’s unfortunate that they don’t bottle this (only available in keg version).

On tap @ Nomad- Pours a clear ruby color, small white head. Aroma is strong caramel and cherry, slightly burnt. Flavor is watery, hops and strong caramel/crystal malts. Cherry body with a crisp finish. Very american, boring. Theres no booze but i’m still tasting it.