FiftyFifty Collaborative Evil

Brewed by FiftyFifty Brewing Co.
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Truckee, California USA

Draft @ FiftyFifty. Pours a medium-dark, murky orange-brown color; creamy off-white head with good retention and fine-bubbled lacing. Very chewy, sweet and generous aroma of Belgian sugars, juicy oranges, and white pepper; the lattermost helps to balance a generous, sticky middle. Full, sticky mouthfeel: huge amounts of unhandled, sweet Belgian sugar, dried oranges and malt-centered fruitiness; way too much overt sugar; hard to drink a lot of this; all but fortified. They quoted me a 12% abv on this one? Medium finish of toasted malts and bland Belgian sugars; a big sweet mess.

2009 Boulder Strong Ale Festival: This one didn’t really do it for me. Texture seemed to be on the light side (relatively speaking) and too lively. Nice spices, flowers and herbs, yet malts weren’t on the same level, aside from some light notes of dark fruit. Overall, not bad, it just wasn’t great, IMHO.

Draught at BSAF. Pours dark brown with an average, creamy, light brown head, lasting with good lacing. Aroma is heavy malt (straw, hay, bread), average hops (flowers, grass), heavy yeast (horse blanket, barnyard) with notes of raisins, coriander, fennel, and wine. Medium bodied, sticky texture, average carbonation, and a dry finish. Long duration, moderate sweetness, acidity, and bitterness.

Crushed with Jakebra at BSAF. Incredibly sweet nose. Tastes like a subpar Beast actually. Weird but nice.

On tap at Boulder Strong Ale Fest poured a hazy dark brown with a small lingering tan head. Aromas of toffee, raisin, spice and vanilla. Palate was light bodied and crisp. Flavors of raisin, spice, toffee and light vanilla with a crisp lingering sweet finish.

On tap at BSAF. Poured a hazy, deep garnet-brown color with a quarter-inch off-white head that faded to a film-like layer. Spicy (cinnamon and spruce), yeasty aroma with some hints of dark fruit (raisin and fig). Sweet, lightly spicy entry with some light honey, brown sugar and spruce that transitions into a light dark fruitiness (raisin and fig) that finishes with a light tartness and a hint of yeast. Low carbonation, a bit thin on the palate. Overall, an overly sweet/spiced beer with some alcohol heat. Not a fan.

(Draught) Pours a dark brown body with a small beige head. Aroma of raisins, toasted grain, orange peel, brown sugar, and caramel. Flavor of raisins, candi sugar, dates, florals, roasted malt, and some honey.

Tasted on tap at the Pizza Port Strong Ale Festival 12/5/2008. This Belgian Strong ale poured a deep red amber color from the tap. Small to medium sized white foamy head. The aroma is raisins, brown sugar, caramel and sweet. A medium bodied BSA. The malts are fruity, raisins, spruce and spices. The hops are earthy and floral. Lots of spices. Hides the alcohol well. Mouthfeel is full and round. Finish is clean and smooth. Aftertaste is slightly sweet. Had this one back to back with the Flossmoor Station version, thought this one was a little smoother, spicier and less sweet.