Allagash Tenth (10th) Anniversary Ale

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

Carolina Crew Gathering Greenville, NC Thanks to Sam for sharing this! Slightly hazy yellow pour. Earthy aroma. Spicy orange flavor with a crisp clean finish. Slightly oxidized, but is holding up pretty well. Even tasted a little bit of hops shining through

Thanks turdferguson. Pours soft hazy pale yellow with a one finger creamy white head. The nose is subdued and earthy, lightly sweet, fruity, lightly oxidized. The flavor is oxidized, some orange, crisp, spicy, light alcohol. Crisp mouthfeel. Would have probably been better fresh.

Tasted at the Carolina Crew gathering, Greenville - thanks to Turdferguson for sharing! A yummy one, with a nice aroma of malts, orange, and a trace of butterscotch. Still nice and thick, as you’d expect with a full cloudy beer like this, with some hops holding up fairly well. Nice lingering finish, another solid one from Allagash.

Bottle.

The bottle opens with a mild puff, then bubbles over moments later. It pours a hazy gold with a lively white head, and offers a glorious fruit-and-spice aroma of apricots and orange muscat. Lots of coriander, candy sugar. Gentle wood notes, a drop of vanilla. Pretty notable alcohol in the midrange. Despite the sweet nose and early fruitiness, it’s fairly dry in the close with definite house-yeast character. (I’ve got to admit I don’t see that house character as a plus; I’m not a big Allagash fan.) While it didn’t necessarily make me think of "a Shakespeare Play interpreted by hot naked chicks" (see Glouglouburp’s review), nonetheless it’s an impressive beer and while I find myself tiring of it somewhat through the first glass, it’s not too hard to muster a second wind and keep on enjoying.

Mmmm, delicious, Sweet candied fruit esthers in the nose, spicy coriander, and a bit of a vanilla barrel aged toastiness. Light on the palate, with some sweet bready maltiness, with hints of toffee and caramel. Finishes extremely dry, with a small hint of alcohol. Well done!

Pours a cloudy, golden-tangerine color. A small, foamy, off-white head leaves minimal spotty lacing behind. The nose is simultaneously sweet and spice. Notes of caramel and bready yeast are set off by candied orange peel, pears, grain of paradise, and a hint of coriander. New oak imparts its signature woody vanilla scent as well. Flavors follow suit, with a uniquely Belgian yeast note that is reminiscent of something Fantôme might brew. The grain of paradise is quite distinct, lendin its signature tropical fruitiness to the light caramel and vanilla notes. This is beautifully spiced, with each element working hand in hand. The candied orange peel just pops, and the coriander isn’t overbearing like it is far too often. Medium-plus bodied, finishing smooth and fruity, but slightly warm from the alcohol. Easy drinking, even on a 90 degree day. This is an excellent brew that has aged quite gracefully. Bravo to Allagash.

Bouteille de 750 ml, avec bouchon de liège, partagée lors d’une dégustation Ratebeer Montréal chez Glouglouburp. Arôme: Odeur d’agrumes et d’épices. Apparence: La couleur est blonde voilée. Présence d’une fine dentelle sur le verre. Saveur: Goût d’agrumes et de coriandre avec une pointe de poire. Durée moyenne de l’arrière goût. Palette: Le corps est moyen avec une texture légèrement minérale. Faible effervescence en bouche. Présence d’épices en arrière goût. (Rating #1601)

In short: A very good Belgian Ale foundation marred by an excessive amount of spices (mainly coriander)
How: Back from Europe tasting session with Montreal crew
The look: Partly cloudy yellow-golden body with a small white head
In long: Nose is candy/spicy. Taste is rather spicy with too much coriander for my liking. Some other spices too but coriander is the one really coming out. Covered by the spices are oily/buttery orange flavoured cookies. Warming alcohol finish in the back of the throat. The otherwise pleasant citrusy hops are unfortunately killed by the spiciness. I think there’s a very good beer in there but unfortunately with its omnipresent spiciness this was like a Shakespeare Play interpreted by hot naked chicks, I was hard to focuss on its worthy qualities.