The Stone Vertical Epic series is a highly-sought-after beer series, even though it's pretty available if you look for it. This year's bottling is a Tripel with some muscat grapes and Gewurztraminer added for complexity.
At first I got a whole lot of the grapes without a lot of the Belgian beer characteristics, but once it warmed I liked it a lot more. It's a good beer, but a bit hard to drink.
Zymurgical Explorations rating: 8.5/10
Showing posts with label Belgian Strong Pale Ale. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Belgian Strong Pale Ale. Show all posts
16 October 2010
24 May 2010
Brooklyn Local 1
Brooklyn Local 1 (bottle)
Brooklyn, NY
9.0% ABV
The distributor for SW Michigan has been trying to get these to my store for months now, but can't get ahold of them. So I bought a bottle of the Local 1 and Local 2 when I was in Tennessee last week. I'll try one now, one in a couple of weeks.
Another damned bottle that exploded with foam when I popped off the cork. Not nearly as bad as the Luciernaga, but enough that I ended up breaking one of my pretty New Holland pint glasses. Dammit. Seems to happen a fair bit with Belgian Pales, not sure what could be the proximate cause.
Other than that, a beautiful pour. Translucent orange/yellow body with a very thick white foamy head that leaves significant lacing. I'm taking off a bit on the score for the beersplosion, but otherwise an excellent appearance. Smells very authentically Belgian, with a strong yeasty tartness and a strong biscuity maltiness underneath. Slight hints of earthy barnyardness, even though this isn't nearly as funky as a saison. Very inviting.
Taste is more bitter and drying than expected, but delicious. It's a slight effect, with the main characteristics being the expected Belgian yeast qualities. Some bitterness on the finish and a dry aftertaste. Doesn't cloy at all. The beer doesn't coat the palate as thickly as I'd expect from a Belgian Strong Pale, which is a welcome change from many Belgian-inspired beers. Moderate carbonation, with a crisp hoppy quality.
Overall? Another great beer from Brooklyn. It's frightening how good Garrett Oliver and his team are at making amazing ales and lagers. Goes down crisp and clean but with a classic Belgian character.
My overall BA rating: 4.45/5
Brooklyn, NY
9.0% ABV
The distributor for SW Michigan has been trying to get these to my store for months now, but can't get ahold of them. So I bought a bottle of the Local 1 and Local 2 when I was in Tennessee last week. I'll try one now, one in a couple of weeks.
Another damned bottle that exploded with foam when I popped off the cork. Not nearly as bad as the Luciernaga, but enough that I ended up breaking one of my pretty New Holland pint glasses. Dammit. Seems to happen a fair bit with Belgian Pales, not sure what could be the proximate cause.
 | |
| The horror! The horror! |
Taste is more bitter and drying than expected, but delicious. It's a slight effect, with the main characteristics being the expected Belgian yeast qualities. Some bitterness on the finish and a dry aftertaste. Doesn't cloy at all. The beer doesn't coat the palate as thickly as I'd expect from a Belgian Strong Pale, which is a welcome change from many Belgian-inspired beers. Moderate carbonation, with a crisp hoppy quality.
Overall? Another great beer from Brooklyn. It's frightening how good Garrett Oliver and his team are at making amazing ales and lagers. Goes down crisp and clean but with a classic Belgian character.
My overall BA rating: 4.45/5
08 September 2009
Beer Review, Unibroue 15
Unibroue 15 (bottle)
Chambly, Quebec, Canada
10% ABV
Appearance: Orange/yellow body, thin white head that dissipates quickly. Hazy to the point of opacity. 4.0/5
Smell: Sweet, tarty, hints of raisins, grapefruit, almost jammy. Very interesting. 4.0/5
Taste: Strong with Belgian yeast. Again, very tarty. A nice alcohol burn on the way down, but without astringency, almost more like a liqueur than a beer. Smooth. 4.5/5
Mouthfeel: Moderate thickness, low carbonation, low hops. Coats the palate, though. 4.0/5
Drinkability: Definitely worth a try if you can find it. Soon I'll try the 17. 4.0/5
Overall: 4.2/5
Chambly, Quebec, Canada
10% ABV
Appearance: Orange/yellow body, thin white head that dissipates quickly. Hazy to the point of opacity. 4.0/5
Smell: Sweet, tarty, hints of raisins, grapefruit, almost jammy. Very interesting. 4.0/5
Taste: Strong with Belgian yeast. Again, very tarty. A nice alcohol burn on the way down, but without astringency, almost more like a liqueur than a beer. Smooth. 4.5/5
Mouthfeel: Moderate thickness, low carbonation, low hops. Coats the palate, though. 4.0/5
Drinkability: Definitely worth a try if you can find it. Soon I'll try the 17. 4.0/5
Overall: 4.2/5
11 August 2009
Beer Review, Affligem Blond
Affligem Blond
Flanders, Belgium
6.8% ABV
Appearance: Yellow-orange body, very hazy, some effervescence from the bottom of the glass. Thick foamy white head that sticks around, leaves some lacing. 4.5/5
Smell: Sweet, tart, heavy with Belgian "funk." Some corn maltiness, which is odd for the style, but not at all unpleasant. 3.5/5
Taste: Very sweet up-front, nice Belgian tartness, some hints of citrus. A bit drying on the finish and strong with oranges on the aftertaste. It's actually quite refreshing and relaxing. 4.0/5
Mouthfeel: Thick and foamy, but with only a slight carbonation. Somewhat chewy with suspended yeast. 4.0/5
Drinkability: I usually don't think of Belgians as "summer beers," but this one is a pretty good example of that concept. 4.0/5
Overall: 4.0/5
Flanders, Belgium
6.8% ABV
Appearance: Yellow-orange body, very hazy, some effervescence from the bottom of the glass. Thick foamy white head that sticks around, leaves some lacing. 4.5/5
Smell: Sweet, tart, heavy with Belgian "funk." Some corn maltiness, which is odd for the style, but not at all unpleasant. 3.5/5
Taste: Very sweet up-front, nice Belgian tartness, some hints of citrus. A bit drying on the finish and strong with oranges on the aftertaste. It's actually quite refreshing and relaxing. 4.0/5
Mouthfeel: Thick and foamy, but with only a slight carbonation. Somewhat chewy with suspended yeast. 4.0/5
Drinkability: I usually don't think of Belgians as "summer beers," but this one is a pretty good example of that concept. 4.0/5
Overall: 4.0/5
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)