Allagash Hugh Malone

Brewed by Allagash Brewing Company
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Portland, Maine USA

750ml caged&corked bottle. Pours a very cloudy orange that seems to glow intensely from within when held to the light - beautiful. The head pours up off-white in color and very thick, even, with small spots/pockets - like pancake batter. A large ring of lace remains on the glass. The aroma is mesmerizing and hoppy: grassy and herbal with oranges and pears. There is also a tinge of crystal malt and honey drifting around the nose. The flavor starts sweet with some breadiness and a very pleasing hop flavor and bitterness. By mid-palate, the bitterness grows as do notes of pine, flowers, and grapefruit. The finish is bitter and somewhat dry with a hoppy aftertaste and some residual malt sweetness. The alcohol is almost unnoticed - just a subtle warming in the chest after a few sips. What a beautiful beer! The mouthfeel is heavily carbonated and the carbon dioxide tickles and stings with pinpricks all over the tongue, greatly accentuating the perceived bitterness. Overall, an absolutely awesome brew that defies category - though I’d say it’s closer to an Imperial IPA with some ester and grassy character from Belgian yeast than it is a Belgian Strong Ale with lots of hops. One of the best beers I can remember tasting in a long time.

Hazy dark gold with good, foamy off white head / Floral nose of sour malt and banana / Medium body, slightly sweet, creamy, with good sour malt and dry hop balance, and long finish / Flavors of sour malt, chrysanthemum, dry hops, banana, and grapefruit / Outstanding.

750 ml. brown, Belgian style bottle. Corked and caged. No freshness date. Loud pop releases cork forcefully. Poured out a deep caramel color, with a volumous tan colored head. Served in a Chimay chalice. Aromas are of rum soaked fruit right off the bat. Big prune & raisin aromas followed by biscuit malt. Slightly estery, burnt sugar aromas too. Flavors are of burnt sugars, slight toffee, dry malts, some alcohol, balanced well by the hops. Dry finish, slightly oaky. Thick, rich mouthfeel & body. Warming upon swallowing. Best beer from Allagash in years.

(750ml bottle) Purchased at Bottleworks in Seattle for $9.99. Great yeasty nose, peppermint and vanilla. Very good leaf, teaa and tonic flavour. Its so smooth, creamy and yeasty fantastic. Lemon in the finish presents a happy journey.

750ml bottle. Pours cloudy, honey amber color with a good sized white head, nice lace. Smells complex, bready malty but with a big hop presence as well. Hops are grassy and earthy. Tastes citrusy sweet, lots of hops but with a big, sweet malt presence as well. Great brew, it has big malt and hop flavors but somehow they balance out well. Full body, great carbonation.

Draft at Map Room. This is what a Belgian-style IPA should be. Pours an attractive orange-amber with a fine bubbled head. Nose is very hop forward, pine and resins dominating. On taste, there are mild phenolic notes from the Belgian yeast, but the hops dominate here. Juicy fruits, strong bitterness and resiny notes. This is a pretty outstanding beer. Very good.

750 ml bottle. pours amber in color with a white head which does not last long. Aroma is floral/citrus hops and malty. Taste is lite hops, yeasty, bready and lightly spicy, with a dry finish. Very good Hoppy Belgian Strong.

Clear gold with a rich frothy white head. The aroma is very piny and citric with strong Belgian yeast characteristics and toasted malt. The taste is bitter yet balanced with a subtle blend of citric and fruity hops with Belgian yeast sweetness. A really great brew and a nice segue from IPA’s into Belgian brews.