Allagash Tenth (10th) Anniversary Ale

Formerly brewed at Allagash Brewing Company
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Portland, Maine USA

09.15.05 750ml bottle. The cork came out without much ado, but after a moment the bottle erupted and started foaming everywhere. Luckily, I was prepared for the occasion with three glasses handy. The pour is opaque golden yellow with thick white head of mostly lingering foam and thickly sheeting lace. Big yeasty and spicy nose is doughy, sharp, and sweet. Coriander, orange marmalade, tropical, and quite Belgian, whatever that means. Body is very full aided by substantial sweetness up front but thinning to a more refreshing and peppery alcoholic finish. A bit bitter, floral, and citric. Complex and stylish, this one is a good time.

Head is initially small, fizzy, white, fully diminishing. Body is hazy medium to dark yellow, bottle conditioned. Aroma is moderately malty (cookie), moderately yeasty (cobwebs), with notes of coriander, lemon zest, candied/dried pineapple, peach syrup, ginger. Flavor is heavily sweet, lightly acidic, lightly bitter. Finish is moderately sweet, lighlty acidic, moderately bitter. Medium to full body, watery/syrupy texture, lively carbonation, lightly alcoholic. This was a geyser of foam upon opening, which immediately sprayed out almost half of the contents. No trace of infection though. Very pleasant strong Belgian golden ale (spiced for sure, but without overdoing it). Think about most of Unibroue’s big golden ales, because that’s what you’ll probably be reminded of. A little too sweet for my liking (a little more tartness or bitterness is needed), but very good overall.

Hazy golden yellow color with medium head. Coriander, yeasty fruity effervescent taste with bubbles on the tongue. The alchohol is well hidden.

Poured hazy with mid-level off white head. Aroma had yeast, spice and some hop. Taste was citrus, and yeast alcohol This was a good wit beer.

Hazy golden in color with a medium white head. Aroma of alcohol,fruit,musty,coriander,orange peel and lemon. Slightly sweet and fruity overall flavor.

Bottle: Light cloudy yellow orange with small particles. Alcohol, pears, coriander, and grass in the aroma, medium bodied, slight alcohol taste, starts and ends lightly sweet. This beer would have been better if half of it didn’t cover my floor and myself when it was opened. Stupid over-active yeast.

Thanks Jeremy for letting me try this beer!! Pours a hazy peach color with a thin lacing head. Fruity aroma, balanced out by some maltiness. Amazing flavor. Smooth. Orangy, tarty flavor. Definitely one of the better beers I’ve had in a while, and another great beer from Allagash!

Very lively beer -- cork popped right off and beer spilled everywhere. Nice fizzy, hazy appearance with a medium amber-yellow color. Slightly sweet, fruity aroma balanced by malts. Well-balanced flavor, especially given the 10% alcohol content. Very nice smooth, creamy mouthfeel. Overall, another excellent ale from Allagash!