Het Anker Gouden Carolus 2008 Cuvee van de Keizer (Belgium) Wow. All the thick, spicy, sexy Belgian qualities turned up to eleven, but without sacrificing balance. It is a heady, dense wine, and youll feel the effects of the alcohol, but its strikingly complex and rich, and worth every temple-throb. (10/08)
Otter Creek White Sail (Vermont) It attempts to be a Belgian-style white, but never gets there; the spice elements arent intense enough, and the underlying beer isntwell, it isnt much. This is usually a very solid brewer, so its disappointing to see them continue to fail with this bottling. (10/08)
Ommegang Abbey Ale (New York) Sorta like listening to Dana Carvey do President (George H.W.) Bush; you cant mistake what it represents, but its not really the same. Im not sure what would help this beer be more like its Belgian inspiration, but I think the word more would be a start. (10/08)
Peak Organic Maple Oat Ale (Maine) Whether intentionally or not, the combination of elements here makes the beer act more like a very light Stout, or perhaps a Porter, than a regular ale. Thats not a criticism so much as it is a warning; those expecting a light brew that replicates their maple-drizzled morning oatmeal will be a little surprised. The first bottle is a bit of a struggle for me, for this very reason, but subsequent bottles reveal the beers qualities, which are considerable. Not something for every day, but a fine effort. (10/08)
Wolavers (Otter Creek) Will Stevens Pumpkin Ale (Vermont) One of the better pumpkin ales Ive had in many a year, because while it tastes very clearly of pumpkin, it neither lets its spice run rampant nor forgets that it is still supposed to taste like an ale; too many beers in this category taste like mulled pumpkin mead. Not for the purist, perhaps, but a great deal of seasonal fun. (10/08)
Otter Creek White Sail (Vermont) It attempts to be a Belgian-style white, but never gets there; the spice elements arent intense enough, and the underlying beer isntwell, it isnt much. This is usually a very solid brewer, so its disappointing to see them continue to fail with this bottling. (10/08)
Ommegang Abbey Ale (New York) Sorta like listening to Dana Carvey do President (George H.W.) Bush; you cant mistake what it represents, but its not really the same. Im not sure what would help this beer be more like its Belgian inspiration, but I think the word more would be a start. (10/08)
Peak Organic Maple Oat Ale (Maine) Whether intentionally or not, the combination of elements here makes the beer act more like a very light Stout, or perhaps a Porter, than a regular ale. Thats not a criticism so much as it is a warning; those expecting a light brew that replicates their maple-drizzled morning oatmeal will be a little surprised. The first bottle is a bit of a struggle for me, for this very reason, but subsequent bottles reveal the beers qualities, which are considerable. Not something for every day, but a fine effort. (10/08)
Wolavers (Otter Creek) Will Stevens Pumpkin Ale (Vermont) One of the better pumpkin ales Ive had in many a year, because while it tastes very clearly of pumpkin, it neither lets its spice run rampant nor forgets that it is still supposed to taste like an ale; too many beers in this category taste like mulled pumpkin mead. Not for the purist, perhaps, but a great deal of seasonal fun. (10/08)