 ClarkVV (3547), Allston, Massachusetts, USA
Nov 23, 2007
Bomber on 10/24/07
Small-to-medium-sized white head shows moderate retention, light lacing. Clarity is high, with plentiful carbonation in the bronze-straw liquid.
Spicy in the nose, but oddly, not nearly as offensive as the (unspiced) Weyerbacher muse. Some sweet vanilla and ginger notes give it an almost ginger-ale-like nose, which is joined by light caramel malts and white pepper phenols from the yeast. Fair enough Belgian flare, though it’s certainly not going to be mistaken for a beer from Belgian. Hoppiness is surprisingly apparent, though I’m not sure the leafy, slightly pungent and minimally citric crystal and glacier hops are best suited here. Probably some real hallertauer would have suited it just find. Medium strength of aroma, with some definite citrus quality on the finish and a fairly well-concealed alcohol.
Sweet and with somewhat too loose a carbonation, giving the malts a slight mushiness. Caramel, some breadiness and vanilla mix together, with strong ginger notes and ending with moderate acidity from the yeast but mainly the citrus peel. Fruitiness dosent overwhelm, but throws itself in to the mix, further unfocusing the beer. Too much sweetness and ginger; moreso than the 040404, which I enjoyed more. Hopefully this one dries out and improves like that one did. Alcohol under control. Medium-full body.
Tweety (158), Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Jul 9, 2008 ACBF 2008. I was really excited for this one which made it quite a bit of a let-down. It was nothing more than a generically belgian-tasting ale. I’d write more, but nothing about it really stuck out in my mind, a disappointment, really...although not bad I guess.
boto (1197), Granby, Connecticut, USA
Jul 8, 2008 22oz bomber: This one pours a slightly hazy, darker golden color. There was a bit of white foam on the top that settles down to a thin layer . The nose is nice. Yeastiness, breadiness, spices, earthiness, there is a lot going on here. Boy, this is smooth. A hint of effervesence on the tongue. Spicy taste, with some of the breadiness in the background. Nice body. Very Nice!
Glouglouburp (1872), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Jul 6, 2008 In short: A spicy Blonde Ale with a smooth body
How: Bottle 22oz, consumed almost 1 year after bottling. Bottle graciously given to me by dmac, Dave is the man!
The look: Clear golden body topped by an white ring of foam.
In long: Nose is floral and spicy. Taste is juicy flower juice and lots of spices with no specific spices coming out. Oily body. Carbonation is very soft, too soft for a Belgian ale like this. An overall sensation of a hard-candy spicy buttery candy. I had it a few times when fresh and it was a bit too much in-your-face aggressive spicy. Now it is just a spicy softer Belgian ale but the body is really dying. A good beer but I think it’s a step down from the previous 05-05-05 and 06-06-06. Still, I can’t wait for their 2008 Vertical Epic and see what kind of crazy name they’ll come up with.
Surly (14), Michigan, USA
Jul 4, 2008 Nice golden color, slightly hazy with minimal carbonation. Very little head or lacing. Subtle citrus hop aroma. I’d expect this look from an IPA, I also expected a hop explosion up front... and it was a pleasant surprise to have a great change of pace. To me this is a wonderful easy drinking beer, but for a beer lover. Meaning there is bountiful flavor, hops, citrus, fruit (I even want to say strawberry?). Very good beer, light and yet has a ton of flavor without seeming watered down. Very nice.
Foolish_Mortal (931), San Diego, California, USA
Jul 2, 2008 22oz bottle. Deep golden color with a large rocky white head. Sharp spice aroma, some citrus peel. Floral, perfumey spice flavors dominate. Dusty, estery yeast component, with oily citrus skin. Appley, sweet malt underpinings. Residual acrid spice character in the finish with some orange rind. Mouthfeel is medium, somewhat dry.
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