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Updated Review 02/10
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Now re-released in the 22 oz format as part of the Mutiny Series. The new big beers from Clipper City have generally been a disappointment to me with some serious hot character i.e. too much alcohol, and generally rough around the edges and ill-defined. To be honest they’ve been clumsy which is a shame for a brewery that before the BIG series used to generally impress me.
This beer is one that ought to be able to cope with the large format and big alcohol. We’ll see.
Very dark pour that is verging on black. Head is creamy and is formed noisily, both good signs.
Nose and tastes have LARGE fruit, medicinal esters and layers of bubble gum. Quite aggressive. The alcohol is there too and the Belgian yest character is on the back-burner for this one. It still drinks nicely and just about pulls it off.
This is a CLOSE call, as it was back in 2007 with the 12 oz bottles before the Mutiny Series, but it does work for me – JUST!
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Original Review 04/07
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12 oz bottle purchased as a single for $1.69 from Jax, Sandy Springs, GA, USA.
On the whole, pretty good. Very nice color – a real dark orange, clear pour with little or no head as expected. No carbonation to speak of. VERY fruity nose that manages to tread a unique line between a medicinal whiff and a real deep strawberry fruitiness. For me, it stays on the positive side – just! A little alcohol at the end of the nostril full.
Definite Belgian yeast taste, with typical sweet, candied sugared feel. Mouthfeel is fine, and the finish has some warming alcohol and a slight dryness to it. Unusually, a slight, lingering bitterness in the aftertaste.
A decent effort at a genuine Belgian style that lacks refinement and is a little edgy, but still drinkable. If the alcohol could be toned down a bit and perhaps the more subtle flavors brought to the fore, I think this would be a pretty decent beer.