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Updated 07/08
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This bottle was either $7.99 or $8.99 from Highland Beverage, Hiram, GA, USA.
Sweetness is very prominent on this tasting, with a warming glow from the alcohol. Still love it!
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Original Review 06/07
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$8.99 at Green’s, Ponce, Atlanta, GA, USA. 750 mL corked & Caged. Ridge on the neck reminds me of the Westmalle or Westy bottle on steroids. Review written BEFORE reading the review in BA Mag!
Simply the best American beer I have tasted in a LONG time. Bought one last Friday and then (before trying it) popped into The Brick Store for lunch. Dave insisted on popping one purely for “market research purposes” (he has it on the menu for $21 which is more expensive than usual for the BS) – as soon as I tasted it I knew why.
This is one of those beers that is an instant classic. To look at it is good, but not much more than simply a solid looking Belgian brew, but the aroma and taste hit the spot exactly. A butterscotch orange body with nice (but relatively fleeting head) and some lace.
The aroma of alcohol is strong, but perfectly balanced with candy sugar and yeast. The taste develops the sugar but there is an amazing balance of orange peel to hold the sugar back and to incorporate bitterness. It’s as if there are no hops in this beer but the bitterness is made up from the citrus peel. The finish is sweet, mildly tart and slightly warming. Some hint of sugared grapefruit too. Belgian sugar and yeast charcteristics are melded and incorporated perfectly.
Frankly I feel ths drinks more like a Tripel, or dare I say it, a “Double” Tripel! The sweetness is there but it seems to be tempered by a citric bitterness that could easily be out of place but actually dovetails perfectly.
Drinkability is off the chart for me. A classic in the making. How would this cellar??