Pike Tandem Double Ale

650 ml bottle at pre-RBSG tasting

Thanks to hezron for cracking open a second bottle. The first one that was opened earlier turned out to have gone bad. It might have mellowed a bit due to aging but this was still a pretty decent beer. I don’t know that I would go out of my way to track it down simply because of the sheer number of American strong ales in this country but I would not turn down a pint if offered.

Aroma / Appearance - Hopped chocolate brownies combine with caramel, dried cherries and sun tea to form a unique and enjoyable aroma. The tannish head that protects the caramel brown body does not last long before sinking back into the depths.

Flavor / Palate - Chewy molasses, cinnamon and pepper form a mouthfeel is that not what one expects from your typical strong ale. Malty with a trace of brown sugar, the second wave is slightly better. Overall however this is a little too one dimensional compared to any number of other options on the market. It’s not a bad beer but it just does not stand out in a crowded field.

Bottle: Poured deep amber with an off white head. Aroma, caramel, some floral and fruity notes. Flavor, caramel, chocolate, some floral notes, one bottle was sour. Not great, but not bad.

Bottled.. glad that two of these showed at the party b/c the first was infected! Poured a clear deep chocolate with a swirly cap of white head. Aroma was of sweet toasty caramel, toffee, and milder floral notes.. quite enticing. Flavor was carried by sweet caramel and chocolate notes.. chocolate was a touch chewy.. moderate floral bitterness. OK balance on the palate.. grainy at times.. heavier bitterness at a couple points felt off. Decent.

Pours a dark mahagoney color. Nice malt flavors that are hit by an intense citrus - orange flavoring in the finish.

650ml from mgermani, THANKS!!!! nice dark ruby brown color, nice beige head, good retention, very nice lacing on the glass. aroma is alot of hops, some chocolate, malt, and a nice smokiness, almost sausage like. I know that sounds weird, but it works for me. Mouthfeel is smooth, not much carbonation though. Flavour is still quite hoppy, but finishes sweet. very very nice beer, I wish i could get this all the time!

Poured like a light porter. Taste of sweet fruitiness with a mild smoky finish. Belgium abbey brown style with NW hops and yeast. Palpable fresh and original mouth feel and flavor. varies from batch to batch.

Pours deep dark mahogany with a thick tan head. C-hop aroma, caramel as well. When cold there seems to be an element that makes the mouthfeel astringent, however it improves as it warms. Big malty base with some caramel. Not bad after it warmed up.

(Bottle) Pours an amber-brown body with a small beige head. Aroma of rich dark fruit and breadiness. Flavor of cola, malt, hops, and chocolate.