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Bottle/Tap: Bottle

I’ve developed a better taste for Belgium-style beers over the last few months.  I can remember the first Belgium I drank and thought it was skunked before I realized that it was supposed to have an odd flavor behind it.  Nowadays, I look for Belgium ales, or variations, to broaden my horizons.  I came across this ale, and I’m glad I got the last bottle in the store.

I enjoy a fair amount of beers that Harpoon puts out, and I figured I should add this one to the list.  The copper, reddish tint was a welcome sign, and the familiar Belgium aroma pulled me right into a taste.  I had this sitting in the fridge for a while, and I must say that the extra chill did not kill off the flavor.  There was a hint of bitter on the tail of each sip, but as it got warmer I found the bitter flavor came out more.

Since it is a pale ale, there is no overbearing bitter flavor, just enough to make you drink more to get rid of the existing bitter flavor and the cycle repeats.  Matter of fact, I think the bitter added some character to this beer and made it stand out more than the traditional Abbey ales I’ve had in recent months.

As I’ve noted before, sometimes American brewers take a good European idea add a twist and turn it to garbage; not this time.  I’m happy to report that is was a good beer to sit and sip while re-watching Iron Man. (I have to get ready for the sequel next week.) It was refreshing with enough zing to let you know you were drinking a beer.  I believe this is still on the shelves, but watch out I may grab a few more bottles if I have the chance.