1001 Beers

Beer No: 56
Page No: 312
Category: Blond

Today (or maybe it was yesterday), the House of Representatives passed a Beer Resolution!  Saluting "the goals and ideals of American Craft Beer Week," the American Craft Beer Resolution passed the House and is now officially recognized - whatever that means.  Personally, I think they have bigger issues to deal with, but a quick vote on beer is never a bad thing I guess.  So I hope everyone is enjoying their American Craft Beer Week.  I know I am.

Back to the beer, the Allagash Tripel Reserve is made following the standards of a classic Belgian-style tripel without any special ingredients.  According to 1001 Beers, brewmaster Rob Tod says what makes this tripel special lies in the yeast.  Using primary fermentation and a secondary fermentation with bottle conditioning, it's the yeast that gives this tripel its special flavors.  Unfortunately, I just wasn't a fan.  I felt the herbs and spices brought out by the yeast was just too overpowering and completely overwhelmed the classic tripel flavors that should have been present.

My review, cross-posted at RateBeer.com:

Allagash Tripel Reserve from Allagash Brewing Company

Aroma: 8/10
Appearance: 3/5
Taste: 6/10
Palate: 3/5
Overall: 12/20

Rating 3.2 / 5.0

Had from bottle from BevMo. Batch No. 144. Pours a hazy golden yellow with large, thick head. Aroma is sweet and spicy - fruity and yeasty with lots of herbs and spices. Taste is overwhelmed by spices. Also very sweet with sugar and herbs at the finish. A dry, astringent aftertaste lingered. I had higher hopes, but thought the spices completely took this beer over and were way too pronounced.

Beer No: 18/1001
Page No: 356
Category: Blond

Last night, along with the AleSmith IPA, I had this awesome Allagash creation, the Curieux.  Aged in Jim Beam Bourbon barrels, this tripel is a very unique blend of spices, oak flavors, and hints of vanilla and fruit.  It probably wasn't the best beer to take to a fiesta, but by the time I arrived at this beer, the dust had cleared from the dinner table and I was able to enjoy the complexities of this beer in bliss.  It poured a beautiful orange/amber color with a nice frothy head which dissipated to a beautiful ring around the edge.  The beer itself is the result of a fortunate "accident" at the brewery according to 1001 Beers:

"Tod [founder of Allagash] insists on bottling his tripel reserve in special corked bottles imported from Belgium.  When a bottle shipment was delayed in mid-2004, the brewery found itself with a supply of the strong golden ale that would either have to be moved or tossed.  He scanned the brewery floor and his eyes fell upon some used wooden Jim Beam bourbon barrels that he'd planned to save for a batch of his dark and malty dubbel."

And thus, Curieux was conceived.  The complexity of this Abbey Tripel was transformed to a great beer with awesome undertones of bourbon which do not overpower the beer.  And the 11% ABV is definitely masked within the wonderful smooth sweetness of this tripel.  Very highly recommended.

My review, cross-posted at RateBeer.com:

Allagash Curieux from Allagash Brewing Company

Aroma: 8/10
Appearance: 4/5
Taste: 9/10
Palate: 4/5
Overall: 16/20

Rating: 4.1 / 5.0

Had from bottle - February 2010 bottling. Orange/amber color with beautiful frothy head which dissipates to a nice ring around the edges. Aromas of malts, sweetness, vanilla, and bourbon, with the slightest traces of alcohol. Taste is complex mix of spices, fruit, bourbon, and yeast. A very good blend of tastes that could easily overpower each other. Track down this seasonal beer!