Turkey Day is coming and its time to start thinking about what beer to bring to the dinner table. I usually lean toward spicy Belgians like a St. Bernardus Tripel or La Great Divide's Hades Ale, but recently I tried the Sam Smith Pale Ale and the earth, herbal flavors convinced me it deserved a spot next to the stuffing and potatoes.
Samuel Smith's Old Brewery Pale Ale
English Pale Ale
Samuel Smith Old Brewery
A- / 4.1
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | drink: 4.5
Great aroma right after pouring. Oh man, I'm getting fresh apple with frosting, oak, French bread and hops spice. The flavor has almost a mild barleywine/old ale malt profile with a dry hit of sugar cookie and soupy caramel. It finishes with a long, moderate strength, slightly grassy, peppercone hops note. Delicious and drinkable. Get this beer.
St. Bernardus Tripel
Belgian Tripel
Brouwerij St. Bernardus
A- / 4.05
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | drink: 4
It was a touch on the thick side, for the style, but there was a great range of phenols. I mean this beer was spicy, damn. There were also mellow banana and subtle clove, matched with a sizeable hops bite of herbal lemon and citrus rind. Yum. Very tasty, but I might have trouble drinking a few of these.
Hades Ale
Belgian Strong Pale Ale
Great Divide Brewing Co.
A- / 4.2
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | drink: 4.5
This beer is for real. Pale golden in color with a little lacing. The aroma is immediately reminiscent of of Duvel or a wit with a kick for the spice. The flavor is deep. Its starts sweet and bready, then bitterness grows while coriander, vanilla, and cream come through with a touch of belgian candi. The aftertaste is a long continuation of the spice and sweet malts. Oh so drinkable. My only negative comments are that this beer lacks the mouthfeel (a touch weak on the carbonation) and rocky head that help round out a great pale Belgian. Still damn tasty. Find this beer.
No comments:
Post a Comment