Allagash Four

Not sure how a beer can be prettier than this...unless the bubbles were packed in a little tighter!!! Fire-in-a-glass...inferno orange with incredible carbonation that rises from the ashes to create a white smoke-like cloud of a head. That head starts at 3-inches but never goes away...and so when the second glass is poured, it grows to 4. The alcohol is completely invisible in this one. Bready-Belgian characteristics/spices in the nose. Dark fruits, brown sugar, caramel all find their way onto the palate. I can see why they call it 4: 4 malts, 4 hops, 4-inch head...I’ll give it a 4!!!

Tap at Barcade: Nice hazy amber with a rich tan head. Evident Belgian character in the nose. Candi-sugar, figs, dates, toffee and other dark Belgian malt notes; inviting. Creamy body with tight carbonation that becomes more tamed as it sits and warms. Mild citric notes upfront, giving off some citrus fruit subtleties. Then comes the dark Belgian malt character giving way to figs, prunes, slightly sticky brown sugar sweetness, and a more spicy finish of clove and moderate peppery alcohol. Fairly solid American example of the style.

750 ml bottle. Pours a clear amber. Medium sized, creamy light tan head. Sweet aroma and flavor. Floral notes, some banana. Warm alcohol ending, very dry. Nice beer.

Heavily malted as the description suggests. Aroma of hops and a sweet malt palate mixed with dark fruits. Taste is similar but carries too much of a yeast flavor for my tastes. Kind of like a very strong dark wit. Not bad though.

The hops stand out on the initial sip with some sugary malty bananas and prunes with a muted spicy character. The alcohol lingers in the finish with a certain yeasty character to it that lends a slight bitter edge almost of whiskey. This was my contribution to the NEPA case swap. For a quad it seems awfully drinkable except for the alcoholic kick. The palate has some dryness and is not overly carbonated despite the cork lying above (this was bottled in 2005). Case from Ace Beverage, Eynon, PA.