Allagash Curieux

The Duvel Tulip I picked out for this sampling seemed very appropriate, as Allagash Curieux came out foamy, pale, and slightly cloudy. The smell was clean and elegant. I could detect a faint hint of vanilla in the nose, but not much Bourbon. The taste was sweet and soothing, but a little too simple considering the barrel aging process. Not much in the way of oak flavors here, but based on my recollection, this came across a lot smoother than the Tripel. The alcohol was well hidden except for the warmth. A little flourish of hops was all that I could detect. Soft and creamy in the mouth, and aftertaste lingered on.

Sampled at GABF 2007. Oh boy, this is a hottie. Dark purple brown color with a medium beige head. The bourbon in the nose bitch-slapped me. This is all alcohol. It simply dehydrates your tongue. If you like bourbon, and I do, this is a winter warmer.

On Tap at the Trappist in Oakland, CA. Big malty, spicy, estery nose. I would have never guessed that this was aged in Bourbon barrels. Wonderful malt & yeast complexity in the flavor. Reminds me of the nice flavors from the Westmalle yeast strain at low temps with some fresh bread flavor. Very enjoyable.

C&C 750, Feb 2006 bottling. listed at 11% alcohol on the label. Lightly hazed gold with a white head, and millions of bubbles cruising effortlessly up to the top of my St. Bernardus chalice. Sweet, tropical fruity nose, lightly dusty, mild spices. Flavor is fruity and woody, light Bourbon notes, very mellow and well integrated. Sweet finish, spiciness a bit more pronounced. Excellent.

A cloudy honey-amber golden with a nice thick head. Aroma is fruity and malty with strong banana and lemon tones. The rich wheaty flavor fairly fills the mouth, and the strong hoppy bitter undertone gives it a nice kick! It goes down smoothly with a strong alcohol bite that is more like hard liquor than beer.

2007 Bottle. Strong acidic yeast nose. Peach, apricot, orange. Cloudy pale orange with a bubbly white head that clings nicely to the glass. Flavor is deep and complex. Opens sweet, malty, lots of caramel and toffee. The middle and finish are an interplay between Belgian blonde-like yeast notes of honey blossom, oranges, and spice with the aformentioned flavors. Finishes sweet with notes of both brandy and fruit. Palate is thick, heavy, and smooth. I expect that this will develop nicely over time.

750 ML Bottle-January 2007. I’m not usually a fan of oak aged beers, had several other oak aged Allagash brews I traded w/snojerk321 for some Alesmith’s but I wanted to try one. Beer poured a light yellow color w/a decent white head & good lacing. Faint sweet aroma. Not as overpowering a some, but that Jim Beam hits you in the face right away; no hiding that, this thing is hot! Some traces of pine & lemon, pretty clean taste actually. Not one to drink fast, but a nice change of pace, after dinner sipper. Long finish; alcohol is quite evedent!

Bottled in 11/06. Cloudy dark yellow / light orange with a bubbly white head. Light citrus and pine aroma. Crisp, clean taste of pine, sweet lemon, hops. Bourbon notes linger nicely. Excellent tripel.