 kmweaver (1973), Takoma Park, Maryland, USA
Sep 28, 2006 Updated: Sep 29, 2006
2005 bottle. Hazy, golden-amber appearance; light head formation, decent retention, attractive lacing. Brett in the nose is balanced with the vinuous qualities: tartness and red wine; full, appetizing, complex nose. The belgian profile underneath seems to suggest an abbey tripel: plenty of spice, pepper, yeast; all of which is well-balanced by the barrel aging and secondary fermentation; the tartness is engaging without being overwhelming (shows the reserve of Russian River); the vinuous qualities are well-blended, showing Burgundy/Merlot qualities, light tannins, and oak. So many magnificent things going on with this beer: a light toastiness, a vinuous profile, a belgian tripel background. All balanced nicely.
Gregis (904), Overland Park, Kansas, USA
Aug 27, 2008 2007 bottle courtesy of drewbeerme. Pours a hazy amber-orange with a thin off-white skin. The nose is a sour/sweet citrus and sour cherries with a bit of yeasty funk. Medium-bodied with assertive, active carbonation and a dry, sour finish. Neutral to slightly acidic citrus and lightly bretty funk with a dry slightly oaky finish. An inventive brew; it didn’t blow me away, but I did enjoy it. Thanks for the bottle, Andrew.
csbosox (970), Prairie Village, Kansas, USA
Aug 24, 2008 Jan ’07 bottle. Aroma of oak, wildflower honey, light fruits, onion skin, and funky barnyard brett. Taste is more of the same. Tasty.
BigBen2120 (554), Gardiner(52 miles from Allagash), Maine, USA
Aug 22, 2008 750ml bottle from The Lighthouse in Manchester. 2007 vintage Pours a virtually translucent amber-red with a thin film of off-white head. Smells sweet, fruity, and sour/acidic. Tastes fruity, bready, and sour/funky, but not overwhelmingly so. Flavors are extremely subtle and balanced. Medium-bodied with surprisingly low carbonation. Wow. This beer is the most unique beer I have ever encountered, unlike any other beer I’ve had. Delightfully sour/funky, but not a sour bomb. Nothing wrong with this beer, very well-crafted doubt. Even at the cost, (about 17$ per bottle), I would not hesitate to buy up more. Can’t wait to see how it ages (have a bottle of 2007 and 2005 aging now)!
radiomgb (1749), Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
Aug 21, 2008 Orange-copper in colour with a lingering white coloured head, thin and light lacing. The aroma is acidic, some sourness, citrus, must and yeast, some bread. The flavour is bretty, yeasty, woody, basement must and mould with some light alcohol coming through. Acidic mouthfeel, medium body, medium/high carbonation. Finishes long, bretty and musty.
I have to admit that I wasn’t expecting much coming into this but it turns out to be one of the better beers that I have had this year. I must get more of this. I had no idea that Allagash could make a beer this good.
750ml bottle obtained in a trade with kmweaver, thanks Ken.
Opened on March 15, 2008.
Bottled in January 2007.
Imaena (240), Portland, Maine, USA
Aug 21, 2008 Cask @ GLB 08’. Pour is hazy straw. Sour yeasty nose that is very faint. A let down in the taste department. Soft fuzzy mouthfeel that is hard to describe. I think its an leftover from the brett’s work. not viscous or oily just soft and buttery. light bitterness and brett funk are present.
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