Witches Brew

Bottle. I could run on and on about this one or you could just read the post after mine. It is a very good and detailed description of this unique and fine tripel.

Brand new on the local shelves, and purchased on a whim based on the brewer and despite the tacky/predictable label. The front label proclaims “golden ale”, while the rear retorts with “blond triple”(yes, not the correct “tripel.”) My enthusiasm falters when a quick internet search reveals that it is contract brewed for a vampire-themed (no kidding!) winery. The 750 bottle erupts foam upon uncorking, and I quickly dispense the orangey-gold liquid… a rocky, sticky froth occupies half the tulip, so rigid that it does not move when I tilt the glass dangerously. The resulting ivory lace is some of the stickiest, most three-dimesional, foam rubber froth I have seen to date! A happily “Belgian” fruity/spicy fragrance features nectarine, green banana, cherry, wet wool, ripe pear, honeydew, cocoa powder, and plastic model glue. Flavorwise, the beer lags not far behind, with sweetish caramelly, gingery, key lime, and fig character. A peppery ethanol warmth starts immediately upon touching the tongue, with afterburners kicking in at mid-throat. The mouthfeel at first appears as if sodalike fiizy carboantion lifts an inappropriate buttery heft… but when the second glass outgasses, the palate is instead quite limp; also not as sweet as I first thought. Each sip ends on a subdued spicy/rusty note with a solventy, musty, Orange Tang (for those who can remember it), and mild dirty/bitter aftertaste. Although this ales fades from start to finish, it is much better than I expected.

Spicy notes of cider, ginger and pepper greet my nose as I pour this into my 25cl tulip glass. The beer pours with a frothy, initially three-finger thick, pale, off-white colored head; the head leaves lots of lacing on the sides of my glass as it very slowly subsides. The beer is a nice copper hue as it sits on my desk but shows a clear, bright gold color when held up to the light. Other aromas of melon, star-fruit, herbal grass, sweet clove, white pepper, something a bit like spicy oak and a flinty, almost metallic white grape skin note. This has a very complex nose to it, a bit warm, perhaps even hot from some higher alcohols, but still interesting enough that I can let it slide that this is not the most integrated of aromas.

Wow, this is very well carbonated; despite resting in my glass for the last 15 minutes, my first sip of this just seems to vaporize into a sea of foam. After a quick de-gassing the beer stills has an ample, peppery, fizzy carbonation that really helps to cut through the viscous body that this beer has. Sweet, though not overly so, with flavors of honey-like grain, some ripe melon notes and a touch of not-quite perfectly ripe pear. Quite spicy too, the ample carbonation certainly accentuates this, but there are also notes of clove, a ginger bite, some hot alcohol all of which contribute to a slight tongue numbing character. A base, toasty / cracker-like, malt character that I like to find in these types of beers is not much noticeable here. A touch of hop bitterness in the finish mixes with some of the spicy notes that are noticeable.

As the beer warms up I realize that much of the perceived sweetness is actually contributed by the fruity esters and the higher alcohols. This does actually achieve the lightness in body that I like to see in strong beers of this type. Warming up also softens the overall impact of this beer, taming the heat from the alcohols in the finish and allowing a creamy, smooth finish to become more noticeable. An interesting beer, this is actually pretty tasty & I find that I am enjoying this more than I expected.

Purchased: Plaza Liquors, Tucson AZ

hazed golden blonde color with a lasting foamy whitish head and lots of lacing. big yeasty aroma, golden raisins, spice and alcohol burn. the flavor is quite similar along with some cooked lemon skin and grassy dryness. dry, spicy yeasty finish. the palate is a bit sweet so some age would help? medium body with a foamy texture and soft mouth feel...