On Abbaye de Maredsous 8 Brune

Today is a day to celebrate.  Today is Repeal Day.  Seventy-eight years ago today the 21st Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which repealed the 18th Amendment ban on the " manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors" was ratified, somewhat ironically, by Utah. The repeal of the 18th Amendment is a reason to celebrate. Not just because it restored the right of Americans to drink, but because it restored the right for Americans to conduct themselves in the manner of their choosing.

The 21st Amendment is not merely about being able to get rip-roaring drunk, it's about the most basic of American rights: freedom.  Freedom to drink.  Freedom to express oneself through a chosen art.  And freedom to experience the wide tastes made available through that artistic expression.  And so, today I celebrate.

As it turns out, the dark ages of American beer were just beginning, but luckily today we have a few more options to celebrate repeal day than did the ciserones of 1933. And to that end, I'll be enjoying a bottle of Maredsous 8 Brune, a fine Belgian dubbel produced by Duvel under license from Maredsous Abbey.

The paper wrapping not only protects this bottle from exposure to light during it's 4,100 mile trip to Chicago and on store shelves, but it also implies mystery.  What could be behind the paper curtain?  It's a present waiting to be opened.  Once opened the hefty bottle continues its classic, medieval abbey theme (even though the brand originated in the 1960s), again begging you to taste the history and bygone lifestyle inside.  

"Drink Before: 05/2012" on the cork cage. Maredsous 8 presents itself with a dark, dark, ruby red - Nearly black - color and a long lasting, linen colored head with the consistency of whipped egg whites. Moderate lace clings to the glass.

Caramel, honey, fig, molasses, and chocolate dance an elephant ballet of aromas. Each are big and powerful but they gracefully whisp across the nose. The taste is similar to the aroma, but not as forward. Dark fruit and molasses pull forward first, then some honey shows itself. Hop bitterness balances the sweetness just a bit. The slightest bit of yeast autolysis comes in the end but it's not distracting and is perhaps to be expected in a bottle conditioned beer nearing the end of it's drinkability date. Lingering flavors of molasses and caramel present at the end.

Despite the diabetes educing descriptors of the aroma and flavors the palate is kept relatively clean by just enough carbonation and a surprisingly light body. Great beer.

On Boulevard Sixth Glass

A special thanks to Tim for bringing this to me straight from Kansas City.

There comes a time in the development of every good beer drinker, home brewer, craft brewer, chef, and foodie where they develop a mild - or major - obsession with all things Belgian... at least when it comes to edibles.  Weather it be pommes frites with untold combinations of aioli or beers with untold combinations of complex flavors, the Belgians know how to create amazing flavor combinations.  Sixth Glass from Boulevard Brewing, like many American craft beers, takes on the challenge of crating a beer that stands up to the centuries of beer tradition found in Belgium.  They have succeeded.  

Sixth Glass is a complex "Quadrupel" ale and part of Boulevard's Smokestack Series.  The devil and lightning bolts on the early 20th century tonic-style label should serve as a warning to the elixir inside.  Sixth Glass proves to be as alluring as the snake oil pedaled at general stores one hundred years ago.  Just a sip turns into just a glass and just one more.

Sixth Glass pours the color of autumn leaves on an overcast day. The tan head sticks around just long enough to make some moderate lacing. A bit of coffee aroma immediately gives way to caramel and honey.... figs. A touch of ethanol reminiscent of rum. 

For taste, alcohol right off the bat. Gives way to caramel and dried fruit candy. Sweet but somehow dry at the same time. Probably due to the spicy yeast character. Mouthfeel is vinous with alcohol warmth to match and at 10.5% ABV, it’s not far off on it’s intoxicating powers either. 

Overall a quite complex beer that keeps you toasty - and tipsy - on a cold winter day. I suggest this beer for an alternative to red wine at a cheese tasting or with Spanish tapas. This is a sipper that should make an interesting pairing to many fatty foods.  I wish I had some more bottles of this.  It should only get better with age.  The best by on this bottle was 01/17/13.  Another year would have done wonders.  That said, this beer was highly enjoyable.