whatchudrinkin?

Last night was full of strong beers. I started with the Bayern Mai Bock with dinner. Bock is a strong lager from Germany brewed for Spring festivals. This American interpretation tasted pretty traditional as far as I know. It’s the first bock I think I’ve ever tasted. My initial reaction was that it tasted similar to a quadrupel, raisiny and boozy, maybe there is a taste of fig. It tasted very full, heavy almost, but left my tongue dry and wanting more.

When I got home, I decided to break out the La Trappe Quadrupel I picked up in Amsterdam. I was expecting something a bit darker. The scent of booze was about all I got from this beer. The taste was spicy and lacking in the usual dark fruit. No prune, no raisin. I was reminded of a dubbel, but with more warm alcohol. As I took the last warm sip I thought, Belgian barley wine. 

Orval is the first Trappist beer I’ve reviewed and it’s crazy. Initially, all I smelled was the faint scent of wild yeast. The feel is super light, dry and effervescent. The flavor is a little bit tart and a little bit bitter. The bubbles remind me of a bitter sparkling wine.