McKenzie VuuVe XXxXX

Name: Vuuve XXxXX
Date: 12/07/2005
Mode: Growler
Source: Tasting

clear amber, thin white head, sweet peppery spicy floral hop aroma, malty, spicy, touch of sweetness, nice pepper, hint of pine, great hops, low bitterness, a great Belgian double IPA

Aroma: 8/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 8/10; Palate: 7/10; Overall: 18/20
Rating: 4.2/5.0
Drinkability: 7/10
Score: ***+/4

Big frothy white cream crests atop the well clouded dark golden pour. A beaufitul sight that is strongly enhanced by the absolutely enticing yeast work. Never overdone, it nonetheless brings a funky, musty, soapy and doughy aspect that, whether you’d have suspected it or not, works amazingly well with the hop shelves surrounding it. The malt is mostly a texture affair, being slightly cerealic and simply a field for the hops to evolve through. They are extremely perfumey those hops, yet almost as leafy, piney, limey, orangey and floral. A truly complex phenomenon which eventually unleashes peppery and pineapple undertones, pushing their luck to hinting at drying dead wood. Medium body, fully creamy and powdery texture from an initially airy palate. Very attenuated and remarkable well hidden alcohol make it a champion. Raw bitterness, rough and sawy, reminds of exponential hoppiness with more yeast.

Rating #2000: Growler traded to me by egajdzis: Pours a transparent copper bronze with a thin, but clingy, wispy white head. Aroma has some earthy Belgian yeast and sweet, toasty, biscuity Belgian malt and some toffee notes with a hint of peppery spice. The full, viscous Belgian malty palate is the first thing I noticed, followed quickly by an onslaught of dry, earthy, peppery saison spice and a warming, sticky Belgian yeasty finish. Mild candi sugar sweetness is also present. I’d hardly call this an Imperial IPA, rather more of a hoppy Belgian Strong Ale. Either way, it’s pretty tasty. One of the most unique beers I’ve ever had. Thanks Eric!

On tap at the Kennett Square Brew Fest (connoisseur session). Poured a darker amber color with a smaller sized off white head. Aromas of pine, oranges, citrus and caramel. Tastes of pine, grapefruit, and caramel. Although this had a malt balance, I found this one to be very hoppy (personally, I would have preferred a better balance for an IIPA - but a very good beer).

The Lure:
Supersonic funk with on it a tonic of prickly pine. Oranges vibrate, grapefruit dictate, as sweet fruitiness gestates.

The Festivities:
A dry flowery foreword pushes bretty funk forward. Whirled orange juiciness in a world of wooden hop bitterness. Blooming flavors within zooming carbonation and booming creativity.

Transcendence:
Ideas bubble like boiling water.