Review – Allagash Curieux

From Allagash Brewing – In October of 2004, we released the first beer in our series of Barrel Aged beers, Allagash Curieux. To make the Curieux (French for “curious”), we age our Tripel Ale in Jim Beam barrels for 8 weeks in our cellar. During the aging process in bourbon barrels, the beer is totally transformed, and many new flavors and aromas develop. Most notably, the beer picks up soft coconut and vanilla characteristics…and also a hint of bourbon flavor!

Allagash Brewing Co. – Curieux – Purchased from Dawsons Liquors in Severna Park, MD. Poured into a tulip glass. 11% ABV.

Appearance: Somewhere between brass and bronze with a slight haze. A modest 1/4″ head which dissipated at a nice, gradual pace leaving the thinnest layer of suds floating on top preventing you from seeing down into your glass.

Aroma: Sweet dinner rolls, real maple candies that you find in tourist traps in Vermont and alcohol.

Taste: Heavenly. Rather sweet and dessert-like with hints of butterscotch, vanilla and nougat with a nice, lingering, hoppy bitterness at the back of the palate on the finish. The longer you drink it, the sooner the hoppy bitterness hits you.

Mouthfeel: Thick and clingy, yet it gets rather fizzy on your tongue if you hold it in your mouth exploring the flavors.

Overall: Even though this is aged in bourbon barrels, don’t expect it to taste like Jim Beam. The oak has mellowed this beer and has helped to impart the sweeter butterscotch and vanilla notes, though. Just a fantastic beer, well worth the price. At 11%, this is a good beer to share with a friend or to pour smaller portions amongst a group as an aperitif.