I love this hoppy bastard, from start to finish-- all hops all the time, nose to toes. Sure, it's branded a Belgian-style Pail Ale... but never mind the Mad hatter behind the curtain, or historical thoughts of Belgians, standing there with their candy sugars and wild yeasts to rescue a dying industry, then sending Pale Ale to India a few decades before the Belgian revolution in brewing, at the early part of the last century while Dadaist were riding their Victorian bicycles with ladies straddling the handle bars. Just think Back to the Future dropping in to meet Belgian monks, loading up the English Navy on their long trips to India with skunk flavored beer concentrate.
Look, I don't know, I'm not David McCallough or Alistaire Cooke, and we have no budget to hire Ray Daniels to provide historical context here. Let's say it's confusing and leave it at that.
Don't make a big deal out of it.
Nonetheless, this beer is epic, whether or not the tasting lords and ladies at Beeradvocate agree, where they give it a mere 85 or very good, vs. Outstanding, which is where I'd say it lands.
Wrong! 90, AKA, OUTSTANDING.
What is so G-damn wrong with grade inflation when you compare to the bitter, carping vanity of tiny differences? Riddle me that Bat fans. If you like hops, this beer is right up your Belgian, IPA bowling ally way.
It's thick, malty, balanced with strong hops and not insignificant ABV at 5.07%. The head is frothy and long lasting for something without a lot of wheat protein to hold it up.
The aroma? Hoppy.
The taste? Hoppy.
The mouth feel? Hopp....no, slightly rich and malty for any farmhouse experience, but maybe hence the Mad Hatter allusion.
Color? Beautiful gold-amberish, clear.
Reminds me of Blue cheese, or sharp cheddar, and why not, this is the mid-west.
Conclusion: go git you some, son.
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