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 slightly hazy yellowish ale with a super huge foamy head with great retention. Perfect aroma of Brett is very nice with dry hops and some floral malt. Taste is mildly sour at first with some nice floral peak and ends with a dry finish. Body is quite full which kind of surprise me because of the low ABV I was expecting some light beer. Overall, this is a truly wonderful beer and I very much appreciated the fact that even though the alcohol is low enough the taste and body are reasonably strong.

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.

Bottle Pours a nice golden color with a short lived white fizzy head. Soft fruity apple cider aromas. Lively carbonation. Flavors are apple cider and slight belgian musty yeasty flavors. Very nice. Thanks to Buck Dich for sharing this one.

Bottle A Pale golden color. Pours out a with a white head there is a bit of fiz. A very nice beer. Thanks Buck Dich

Thanks to awaisanen for sending this hand bottled sample. This was tasted side by side a homebrewed version which was brewed from Vinnie’s homebrew recipe who should also get major thanks for sharing his recipe and the opportunity to drink a good authentic west coast style IIPA in a place where little to none exists otherwise. Medium gold in the pour with an average sized head. Floral, resiny pine, citrus rind aroma. Light to medium body. The hops in this are intense, but more so in the aroma and flavor than appearing as an intense bitterness. The first sip is a bit harsh, but quickly this grabs the tongue and every following sip becomes more enjoyable. Wonderfully chewy juicy hop finish. Enough underlying malt to keep this in balance. a remarkably well brewed IIPA. The homebrewed version is perhaps a bit fresher tasting, but identical as far as color, aroma and flavor. Dangerously easy to drink and the alcohol level will quickly catch you off guard as you think you into a good session IPA.