Blue Frog 5th Anniversary Ale

Formerly brewed at Blue Frog Grog and Grill
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Fairfield, California USA

Draft at the Bistro’s Barrel-Aged Beer Fest; Nose of caramel, vanilla, and dark fruit; red-amber with only a few bubbles around the sides of the glass; flavor was caramel, rasins, vanilla, and a little oakiness. Medium body with little alcohol showing.

This was very smooth and easy drinking, and I’m surprised to see now that it has an 11.2% ABV, because it’s very well hidden. It poured a light caramel color and was headless from the beginning. The aroma had toffee, butterscotch, vanilla, and a whiff of peat-like smokiness. Only slightly warm with alcohol in the mouth, the flavor reflected the aroma with the addition of light brown sugar, some prunes, and a woodiness. Decent.

<font size=-4><a href=http://www.ratebeer.com/events-detail.asp?eve of Barrel Aged Beers, Chicago, IL 11/04/2006<font size=-1>

A red copper coloured ale with no head. More pronounced vanilla in aroma, with maple notes and good hops. In mouth, getting into barley wine territory, with sweet malt, molasses, raisins, vanilla and alcohol warmth. Very good. Sampled from bottle, at BP, August 2005.
Earlier Rating: 1/10/2006 Total Score: 3.8
Red copper ale with no head, like a scotch. Sweet malt and corianderr with raisin vinous notes. In mouth, smooth sweet candy sugar with dry hops and alcohol warmth. Vinous in mouth, like a barley wine. rich and smooth. Sample from bottle, at BP, August 2005.