Drinking really, really old beer: La Trappe Enkel

While picking up a case at Shangy's over the weekend, I took a quick look at their small shelf of single (and mostly expensive) bottles. To my surprise, there was something new-to-me, a couple large bottles of La Trappe Enkel - the table beer from the Koningshoeven monks of the Netherlands. Even more surprising was the best by date on the back of the label: November, 1996.

I've tried low-alcohol (under 6% ABV) ales before, and they're typically only worth pouring down your drain. In this case, though, I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to try a roughly 16-year old trappist beer. I wouldn't exactly say I was rewarded for taking this chance and forking over cash for a beer that was probably forgotten about in some corner for at least decade. But it wasn't too bad. I dare say, somewhat enjoyable.

La Trappe Enkel
Bierbrouwerij De Koningshoeven B.V.
Belgian Pale Ale | 5.50% ABV

B / 3.55
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | drink: 3.5

Found at 750ml bottle at Shangy's in Emmaus PA for $11. The label read BEST BY END: NOV96, so take this review with that in mind. The cork looked a little soaked when I opened the bottle and the carbonation was a little low, but not too bad. The body didn't have any protein blobs like some old Belgians. However, like many well-aged beers, this has a strong leather character and I wonder if the cork didn't add the beer's earthy character. Aside from tasting a bit like a new recliner smells, there was just a light liquid caramel note, though the beer was exceedingly smooth. Buying a low-ABV beer this old is a gamble, but I'm glad I took it.

Oregon IPA

It's business time. In conjunction with a project on Oregon beers with Oregon-grown ingredients I'm working on for the International Association of Culinary Profesionals, I've made my own Oregon-centric beer. I couldn't get my hands on Oregon barley, but Jim at Indie Hops send me a pound of Centennial hops. I also used Oregon-cultivated yeast with Wyeast Labs' American Ale II yeast, a relative of the famous Sierra Nevada yeast strain.

I've haven't been this excited about a homebrew in a while. It's going to be f'ing awesome. Having the pound of hops sit out in my kitchen (see below) smelled amazing - I had a room full of hoppy goodness.

Hiphopapotamus
5 Gal Batch
Est ABV: 8%
IBU: 100+

10# Marris Otter Pale Malt
2# Vienna Malt
.5# American crystal 20L
.5# Cara-Pils
Wyeast American Ale II

Mash @ 152, OG: 1.073

2 oz. Centennial (10.5% AA, First Wort Hop)
1 oz. Centennial (10.5% AA, 45 min.)
1 oz. Centennial (10.5% AA, 15 min.)
1 oz. Centennial (10.5% AA, 10 min.)
1 oz. Centennial (10.5% AA, 5 min.)
1 oz. Centennial (10.5% AA, 0 min.)
2 oz. Centennial (10.5% AA, dry hop)

UPDATE 3/23/10: Transferred to secondary and added the dry hops. Tastes amazing with huge blend of spicy citrus flavors but need more aroma. There's even a little hint of the malt in there. Current gravity is 1.013 to put the beer at 7.8%.

Hops Before:


Hops After:

Interesting, Very Interesting: Atomium Grand Cru

Right after really, really ridiculously good-tasting beer, I also enjoy interesting beer. Last night at the Farmhouse, as usual, I opted for the new-to-me beers on tap over the known good stuff. Often, trying new beers when surrounded by sure-winners, there's a let down when the new brew is mediocre, boring, or just plain bad. Thankfully, Brouwerij Van Steenberge's Atomium Grand Cru didn't suck at all. In fact, it had one of the most interesting aromas (there was peppermint, wtf?) I've smelled in a long time. Check it out:

Atomium Grand Cru
Brouwerij Van Steenberge
Belgian Strong Pale Ale | 8.00% ABV

B+ / 4
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | drink: 4.5

On-tap at The Farmhouse in Emmaus, PA. Served in a red wine glass, it appears slighty hazy and amber with a tall, fluffy white head. It's funny, I'm used to finding beers that have great flavor but are a little dull in the aroma department. This was the opposite. It was bursting with coriander, cinnamon, and peppermint (unusual, but interesting). The flavor follows the coriander with a hint of orange peel - sort of like a wit, but without wheat character - and then a subtle but delicious candied apple malt flavor slides in before the beer finishes. Still, the beer's taste is too mild for a beer of this strength. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised to find a fresh take on this style.