So the brewmaster of Allagash visited the famous (at least in Maine it's famous, I have never heard of it) mansion in Portland, Maine. With it's opulent grandeur and with ornate frippery everywhere the mansion passes right by gaudy as if though it is standing still. One room in particular is dedicated to Bacchus, the god of wine and this room inspired the fellows at Allagash to create a tribute beer. Good thing they didn't visit a house of ill repute.The beer pours a slightly hazy gold with a head that is not large but leaves a nice lacing. The smell is yeasty, fruity and flowery with the alochol esters quite noticable.
This being a Belgian style trippel you have tastes that you expect, bananas, malts and hops to be sure, but there were flavors here that I could not quite place. Fruity, but not extremely so, hidden in the background, familiar but not easily placed. Kind of like a vague memory from your childhood. Tropical fruits, pepper, mint, melon are all there but very well blended so that you are challenged to pick them out singly. What is that taste? "Grapes. Chardonnay grapes" says Brandon with a self-satisfyed smirk. Ass. Even though they used 200 pounds of chardonnay grapes in the mash you really will have a hard time picking it out, but after you are told what it is you can easily identify the flavor. Really, really well done.Allagash Brewing Co.
50 Industrial Way
Portland, Maine 04103
http://allagash.com/home
No comments:
Post a Comment