 Rastacouere (5551), Montréal, Quebec, Canada
Sep 25, 2005 Big fluffy off-white head lasts over the deep brown body. Complex yeast derived phenols and esters create a well rounded nose in which a foreground blend of floral and anise aromatic components work hands in hands. They welcome greedily the nutty, toasted dessert bread malts and pour a well disciplined candyish fruit syrup on top of it. The yeast doesn’t impart anything that shouldn’t be there, the alcohol warmth is perfectly integrated. Full bodied, gentle soft carbonation. Plenty of residual sugars in there (nice life ahead), though they bring flavors out (molasses, brown sugar, candi) rather than just lending the beer a heavier sweetness than it can handle. Okay, we’re not quite talking world-class here, but this is a very successful belgian stylish ale in which the ingredients, thanks to an efficient yeast strain, have brought out a result worthy of the sum of their parts. Good stuff, bold and efficient.
MartinT (5026), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Sep 25, 2005 Updated: Nov 1, 2005The Lure:
Nutty roastiness and star anise floating in caramel. Berries bobbing in the bountiful bonding.
The Festivities:
Molasses and berries merge into a wealthy mouthfeel. Roasted caramel and vivid carbonation really point towards smoky Belgian scotch ales. Roasted malt and earthy hop bitterness gets more and more lip smacking as the glass is downed. This one will last a while.
Transcendence:
The princess has ordered a new velvet evening robe.
wunderbier (1264), Tampere, Finland
Sep 20, 2005 Deep brown hue with maroon edges. Large, frothy, light tan head. Rye, mustard, vinegar, milk chocolate, caramel, anise, herbal aromas. Very spicy with sweet malt undercurrents. Heavily sweet, lightly acidic flavor. Moderately sweet, lightly acidic, moderately bitter finish. Medium-full body, oily texture, lively carbonation. Slightly less complex than the 04 (side-by-side) but rich and tasty in it’s own right. Brown sugar flavors develop as it warms.
BuckNaked (1204), Tempe, Arizona, USA
Sep 13, 2005 Bottle: Amber-brown, clear when held to light, with a light tan head. The aroma has sweet fruits and brown sugar, old sock, wheat, raisin, and a hint of lemon. Taste is sweet overall with nuts for a quick second, lemon grass, grassy hops, brown sugar, and dark fruit. Medium bodied, medium carbonation, creamy mouthfeel.
Nuffield (2718), Roseville, Minnesota, USA
Sep 11, 2005 Ruby red/amber/brown, off-white head. An interesting combination of the Belgian (especially the fruity character, such as cherry and grape in the aroma) and a brown ale. Good notes of dried fruits and pale suggestions of spice. Moderately dry to my palate. Always interesting, these Epics, but perhaps this one lacked the layers in flavor as it had in the aroma.
argo0 (6842), Washington DC, USA
Sep 10, 2005 (22oz bottle) Clear dark-brown body with tan head. Aroma is medium sweet, caramel, some wheat, raisin, light Belgian spice. Taste is moderately sweet, caramel, wheat, light herb. Creamy medium body.
DougShoemaker (2855), Toronto, Canada
Sep 5, 2005 Nose has pitfruit, and deep malt. Auburn, small toffee head. Fruit flavours, some of which are plums, red grapes, prunes. Very complex, full bodied, bitter and bold. A fabulous beer!
JPDIPSO (4862), Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, USA
Sep 1, 2005 Light chestnut color with a hint of rudy when held to the light. Fluffy tan head. Belgian aromas waft and greet the nose with Caramel, light toast, light fruit, attic yeast and a mix of spices, including cloves and coriander. Lots of malt sweetness form the start, with brown sugar, and pale malts. Mid quaff leads to floral and spicy hops. Some mild fruits also mingle. Finish os quite strong and with a touch of alcohol. I’ll chalk the later up to the immaturity of the brew. There room for this one to get better with age.
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