Allagash 2009 Confluence Ale

Two Middle of the Roads for Allagash in the past on this here little blog, but Allagash 2009 Confluence Ale has turned the streak for them.  This is a pretty complex ale, featuring 2 types of yeast, 3 types of malts, 3 types of hops, and 2 different aging cycles (stainless tanks and bottle).  Overall, though, this complex and lengthy process produces exactly what they were going for… an ale that blends water, yeast, malt, and hop perfectly to create super smooth, sweet citrus and spice ale that is easy to drink yet nice and complex. 

The bright white head leads to aromas of citrus and a body that is smooth and soft and comes across like a nice mild trippel.  A light sweet and bitter finish leaves you refreshed and ready for more.  Overall a great brew that I would recommend any day.

JBB6 Rating: For The Win

Allagash Black

We are going to have one hell of a summer.  I can tell already.  Whenever the weather is nice, the cul-de-sac just knows to get together in the middle, bring whatever is in the fridge, and start BBQing.  Last night it was hot dogs and potatoe wedges.  Oh… and lots and lots of beer.  I think we went through about 2 cases in the 7 hours of drinking… In the middle of it, I brought out one of my newer purchases… a 750 ml of Allagash Black.  I poured 4 glasses and the tasting commenced.

There was definite consensus on this beer… which could have been good but it wasn’t.  In a nutshell, it had very, very mediocre reviews from the tasting squad.  We were comparing it to the New Belgium 1554 and saying that the reasonably priced New Belgium beats the $14.99 bottle of Allagash, hands down.  More flavor, more of a roasted smell and taste.  The Allagash was just very Middle of the Road.  If it were a more reasonable price, I might consider buying it again… it wasn’t bad beer by any means… but at $14.99, I expect more of the experience we had when we opened the Kasteel Rouge the other night.  Overall, the low flavor, light taste, nothing outstanding Allagash Black left me underwhelmed… that is two strikes for Allagash, so far…

JBB6 Rating: Middle of the Road

Allagash Tripel Reserve Belgian Style Ale

I have decided I have found the best kids sport ever… let me give you a hint… it is one of the only ones I know of that you can drink a beer at… legally and fully within the rules and regulations… give up?

Indoor Soccer

My daughter is in her second season of this fine sport and I have to say… I really look forward to it.  It is Friday night and we aren’t really going anywhere anyway, but getting to watch a 30 minute game with beer in hand is quite relaxing.  I promise you that.  They even have a good selection at the field, although their fridge is too cold.

So… anyhow, after that, we came home, put a kid or two to bed, and it was time for some good beer tasting.  I picked up a bottle of Allagash Tripel Reserve Belgian Style Ale at Top Food and Drug in Snohomish after soccer and brought it home to enjoy.  BTW… the Top Foods in Snohomish has an outstanding beer selection, including tasters’ notes on some of the singles!

So, Allagash, out of Portland, Maine, makes a pretty good Belgian Tripel.  The corked popped as it should when we opened it, poured a beautiful copper color, and added a short lived head to the top.  Tasting occured at the neighbors house today, so I shared the bottle with two others.  All in all, this was a solid Belgina style.  It wasn’t as much to my liking as the New Belgium Trippel, but it was pretty good.  The taste was definitely classic.  Clean, clear, exactly as you would expect but nothing really more.

JBB6 Rating: Middle of the Road