J.T. Whitneys Charlies Spiced Belgian Ale

Aroma is pretty much the whole spice drawer; cinnamon manages to emerge from the crowd. Dark amber orange, quickly dissipating head. Flavor is like a slightly sour, more malty Belgian with the whole spice drawer thrown in. The spices are either too many or too much; it’s tasty but muddled.

Draft at the brewpub. Poured a clear amber/dark orange color with an off white head. Sour ale-ish nose including the likes of subdued cider vinegar and spices (nutmeg and cinnamon). Medium to full bodied and sweet with slight acidity. Very malty with thicker mouth feel than I had anticipated. I tasted molasses, toffee, subdued alcohol, and spice apple cider. Strange brew.

Name: Charlie’s Spiced Ale
Date: 08/09/2008
Mode: Draft
Source: Brewpub, Madison

Appearance: clear dark amber, wispy dirty white head,
Aroma: sweet dark caramel malt aroma with lots of spices including cinamon,
Flavor: rich caramel malt flavor, lots of spicyness, earthy bitterness from the spices,

Aroma: 6/10; Appearance: 6/10; Flavor: 6/10; Palate: 6/10; Overall: 10/20
Rating: 2.8/5.0
Drinkability: 5/10
Score: *4

Sampled from draught: Poured a clear red with a thin beige head. Aroma is a blend of many different smells: Apples, cinnamon, toffee, pears. Taste is decent, a little too spiced i think. Nutmeg is noticeable, cinnamon, wheat and slightly yeasty. Finish is long and sticks around for a while, might need to cleanse the palate after this one.

On tap at the brewpub. Reddish copper with thin off-white head. Aroma of apple, cinnamon, nutmeg and light yeast. Taste of sour apple, cinnamon, sweet malts and finishes spicy nutmeg.

Served on draught at the Wisconsin Micro-brewers Beerfest in Chilton, Wisconsin. Pours a semi-clear golden blonde color brew with a thin off-white head that quickly dissipates to a fine film and white ring. Aroma of light multi-grain malt, plenty of Thanksgiving pourpori spices of cinnamon, nutmeg, some mincemeat pie filling and yeast. Taste is slightly lighter than it’s aroma with some carbonation and medium body, this has a light flavor of crystal and caramel malt, cinnamon and a touch of cloves. Finish is semi-dry with a light herbal spice aftertaste that lingers after the finish. An interesting spiced beer.

Hazy light golden color with a somewhat wispy white head. Looked like they may have had a carbonation problem. Dry scents of mace and cinnamon. Hints of wheat and dry yeast. Rather dry from the start. Seems to be quite attenuated. Some spice and herbs along with just a hint of pale malt. Interesting, but did not hold my attention.