Spring Break
Brews Clues: Allagash White
Drexel's #1 beer review
Dennis Mongello
Issue date: 9/28/07 Section: Arts & Entertainment
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In all the party beer hubbub, I forgot to mention the death of a great hop head. The beer community will sorely miss Michael Jackson, the man responsible for making beer style guides, on which I base my reviews. He also popularized beer geekdom with his TV show on Discovery Channel, The Beer Hunter. If you've ever enjoyed a local craft brew, or a big Belgian ale, it was probably because of Jackson. He influenced a generation of brewers, writers and drinkers, and for that there will be a national toast to his memory Sept. 30 at 9 p.m. So if you are in town, head down to Monk's Café and order a beer for Jackson. Also, donate some money to the National Parkinson Foundation in his honor while you're at it!
Anyway, to a more upbeat topic, this week's brew comes all the way from the Allagash brewery in Portland, Maine. The Portland on the west coast may be the brewery capital of the U.S., but this little gem may be the best brewery in New England (yes, Sam Adams, this especially includes you). Allagash puts out very creative beers, like one beer aged in bourbon barrels, and also traditional Belgian brews. Allagash White is no exception. It stays true to the original style with its copious amounts of wheat in the brewing process, pillowy white foamy head and slightly spicy taste and aroma. Order this over a Hoegaarden if you get the chance.
The white ale pours with about two inches of head. It dissipates slowly to leave behind plenty of lacing. The color of the beer is a beautiful golden straw hue. It is slightly cloudy due to bottle conditioning with the yeast. This color matches up nicely with the bone white lacing, and is the perfect example of how a white beer should look: perfectly white collar matched up with a hazy body. The beer smells as good as it looks. Citrus aromas of orange and lemon mix perfectly with the slight scent of alcohol. The pleasant aroma matches the appearance and subtle flavors of the beer.
It has a wonderful, light, crisp taste. The ale is incredibly refreshing and starts off sweet with light fruity flavors. The beer then moves through to the wheat and faint spiciness of coriander, then finishes with mild maltiness. It leaves behind only the slightest of bitter aftertastes, just to remind you that you are, in fact drinking a beer. All of these different flavors blend together perfectly to give it a well-rounded palate. The level of carbonation is perfect. The bubbles give the beer a good body; it's neither too thick nor too watery. You can enjoy and savor this beer equally with slight sips or with big chugs.
The body lets the beer goes down very smoothly. There is no alcohol burn, and the taste is just dangerously good. I had one bottle, and quite frankly, 12 ounces of Allagash White is simply not enough. On a warm summer evening, or cold winter night nothing would be more refreshing than a 6 pack of this wheat ale.
Anyway, to a more upbeat topic, this week's brew comes all the way from the Allagash brewery in Portland, Maine. The Portland on the west coast may be the brewery capital of the U.S., but this little gem may be the best brewery in New England (yes, Sam Adams, this especially includes you). Allagash puts out very creative beers, like one beer aged in bourbon barrels, and also traditional Belgian brews. Allagash White is no exception. It stays true to the original style with its copious amounts of wheat in the brewing process, pillowy white foamy head and slightly spicy taste and aroma. Order this over a Hoegaarden if you get the chance.
The white ale pours with about two inches of head. It dissipates slowly to leave behind plenty of lacing. The color of the beer is a beautiful golden straw hue. It is slightly cloudy due to bottle conditioning with the yeast. This color matches up nicely with the bone white lacing, and is the perfect example of how a white beer should look: perfectly white collar matched up with a hazy body. The beer smells as good as it looks. Citrus aromas of orange and lemon mix perfectly with the slight scent of alcohol. The pleasant aroma matches the appearance and subtle flavors of the beer.
It has a wonderful, light, crisp taste. The ale is incredibly refreshing and starts off sweet with light fruity flavors. The beer then moves through to the wheat and faint spiciness of coriander, then finishes with mild maltiness. It leaves behind only the slightest of bitter aftertastes, just to remind you that you are, in fact drinking a beer. All of these different flavors blend together perfectly to give it a well-rounded palate. The level of carbonation is perfect. The bubbles give the beer a good body; it's neither too thick nor too watery. You can enjoy and savor this beer equally with slight sips or with big chugs.
The body lets the beer goes down very smoothly. There is no alcohol burn, and the taste is just dangerously good. I had one bottle, and quite frankly, 12 ounces of Allagash White is simply not enough. On a warm summer evening, or cold winter night nothing would be more refreshing than a 6 pack of this wheat ale.
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