Salvation

Poured an very deep dark brown from the bottle with just a little outlying off white head. Aroma is very subtle, fruity, sugary like banana and kiwi. The flavor of this beer changes on the palate and is extremely unique. Initial taste is super sweet, like grape juice, with just a touch of malt. On the back of the palate you begin to pick up the malt, the alcohol, and the fruit flavors like peach and banana. Heavy in the mouth, probably due to the strong alcohol. You cannot predict the complexity of flavor by the look or smell, you have to taste it for yourself.

tap at the brewpub - This is a nice strong ale. It has the dark fruity aroma and taste that I want in this style. It’s easy going down with a trace of alcohol in the finish. The only negative is that it’s just a touch watery. I think the commercial description of brewed once a year for January release must be wrong now. I got it at the brewpub in September.

Batch 001: Consumed on 5/27/06 with SuIIy.Controlled pour releases a tight, but large tan head. Lacing, strong retention, the works. Body is maroon-amber but dark, with an extremely caramelized tint. Tons of sediment and tiny bubbles rising.Spicy, but yet Trappist-like nose includes the weizen/dubbel notes of bubble gum, banana and clove. Sweet peaches and blood oranges, with light cardamon and black pepper phenols. Quite sweet, at the same time, with sugary raisins, bananas foster and vanilla icing. But all masterfully undercut by a clean, crisp yeastiness and conditioning. A true masterpiece of America-does-Belgium-brewing. Vinnie is at home when brewing highly experimental styles or when brewing authentic, die-hard researched styles like this. I know that all sounds fun and dandy, but I bet Vinnie just makes shit up as he goes along with this. But it still seems elegant and reserved. Just goes to show that it’s not the brewery but the brewer.

Bottle (Courtesy of Jimbowood): Poured a dark brown color ale with a huge foamy head with great retention. Aroma of spices with strong malt presence and funky yeast. Taste is at first dominated by some spices with some semi-sweet dry fruits. There is also some subtle sourness, which doesn’t dominate but is very enjoyable. Body is above average and alcohol is well hidden. Another winner from this great brewery who in my mind is probably currently doing the best Belgian in North America.