Hugh Malone
Allagash Brewing Company

Hugh MaloneHugh Malone
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From:
Allagash Brewing Company
 
Maine, United States
Style:
Belgian IPA
Ranked #21
ABV:
6.8%
Score:
89
Ranked #12,003
Avg:
3.97 | pDev: 9.82%
Reviews:
301
Ratings:
877
Status:
Active
Rated:
Jul 31, 2022
Added:
Apr 27, 2007
Wants:
  46
Gots:
  117
Hugh Malone begins with a grain bill featuring a blend of Maine grown barley, imported Pilsner, and raw wheat malt. At the beginning of run off, we add a portion of hops to the sweet wort in the kettle; a technique known as "first wort hopping". As the boil begins, a generous amount of Chinook hops are added for bittering. Later, in the whirlpool, the beer is hopped with a blend of Centennial and Amarillo, for aroma. This same blend is used, post fermentation, to lend additional hop character to the finished beer. The result is a complex brew with a malty palate, intense hop aromas, pronounced bitterness and a pleasantly dry finish.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by beerbiatchMD:
Photo of beerbiatchMD
Reviewed by beerbiatchMD from Maine

4.27/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Had on tap at Allagash Brewery tasting room, poured into a 25 cL glass.

A: Darkish golden with almost some reddish hues. Very opaque thick color, unfiltered. Frothy white head retains well.

S: Definite hops, some pininess, also some citrus.

T: starts a bit sweet and belgiany and then immediately turns to bitter piney hops. Pretty unique and complex. I also get hints of grass, citrus, pine needles.

M: Refreshing, crisp, good carbonation, not much alcohol heat or dryness.

O: This "Belgian IPA" is a very unique ale. I certainly like it very much. If you're an IPA fan or a Belgian fan you'll likely enjoy this beer. I recommend it for sure.
Jan 01, 2012
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4 by LAM01833 from Massachusetts

Jul 31, 2022
 
Rated: 3.81 by mando31 from Illinois

Sep 16, 2020
Photo of GuyFawkes
Reviewed by GuyFawkes from Illinois

4/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottled 7/20/16; drank 9/19/16 @ the Yarchives.

Semi-opaque orange/yellow appearance.

A rough pour yielded a nice bright white head; strong, frothy lace.

Melon, honey & lemon notes in the nose.

Medium mouthfeel.

Honey & melon flavors up front; mild grapefruit bite on the finish. A tasty treat!
Apr 09, 2019
 
Rated: 3.96 by KMcGrath from Massachusetts

Nov 27, 2018
 
Rated: 3.06 by Mikexw from New York

Apr 21, 2018
 
Rated: 3.94 by CurtisD from Canada (NB)

Oct 20, 2017
 
Rated: 4.86 by Pigpenpittman from Virginia

Oct 16, 2017
 
Rated: 4.24 by byronic from Canada (ON)

Sep 12, 2017
 
Rated: 3.36 by baldy00 from Connecticut

Aug 10, 2017
 
Rated: 4.24 by BergBeer from Hawaii

Jul 31, 2017
 
Rated: 4.23 by SlainteAlbanyNY from New York

Jul 22, 2017
Photo of eleimbach
Rated by eleimbach from Maine

4.34/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
I'm a big fan of IPA's but have never had one quite like this. Different in a good way.
Jul 16, 2017
 
Rated: 4 by armock from New York

Jul 15, 2017
 
Rated: 4.21 by MoeSzsylak from Massachusetts

Jul 08, 2017
Photo of Lone_Freighter
Reviewed by Lone_Freighter from Vermont

4/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This was poured into a tulip. The appearance was a hazy burnt yellow color with a thick two finger rocky white foamy head bursting over the top of the glass. It actually wasn’t too much and cleaned up nicely. Messy clingy foamy lacing sweeps nicely around the glass. The smell starts off with burst full of bitter to sweet pine over top of sweet citrus and bitter citrus. Light little bit of spice follows underneath. The taste was spicy with a sweet juicy sticky middle bursting into a really nice sweet to spicy (almost like rye, hmm...it’s extremely subtle) aftertaste leading into a semi-sweet sticky finish. On the palate, this one sat about a light to medium on the body with a fairly decent sessionability about it. Carbonation runs good as a Belgian Strong ale, I can see it allowing just enough harshness from the bitterness to hit my tongue just right. Overall, this was just a really good beer for what it is. I’d love to come back to it and could see it with some grilled lobster.
Jun 22, 2017
 
Rated: 4.04 by GregSemenza from Connecticut

Jun 21, 2017
 
Rated: 4 by sgregory from Connecticut

Jun 18, 2017
 
Rated: 4.15 by vdub191 from Rhode Island

Apr 29, 2017
Photo of Gajo74
Reviewed by Gajo74 from New York

4.31/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
I was excited to try this one. I really like the concept of Belgian IPA, in which the best of both worlds-Belgian yeast flavors and American hops-are highlighted.
Now I know that Belgian style Ales tend to yield big heads, but, upon pouring I said "whoa! What is this?!" The massive head took up more than three quarters of the glass, the soapy foam leaving tons of lacing and temporarily obscuring the hazy straw liquid. I don't even feel like I did an overly aggressive pour, and mind you, I wasn't even able to pour the whole bottle. Only after a tortuous wait, was I able to taste it. Did anyone else have this experience?
While waiting for the head to die down, I was able to ponder all the wonderful aromas. Orange peel and a pinch of lemon pierce the nose. A light herbal hops and spice drift in the background. Then comes the pineapple, and lots of it. On the backend of this, I detect the fruity aroma of mangoes lightly sprinkled with alcohol. The sweetness is pleasant and is also aided by honey malt as well a perfume of floral notes.
Finally, the head has dissipated enough for me to taste this elixir. It is very smooth with a dry finish, even slightly chalky. The flavors are earthy, there is a nice hops bite that is herbal, the moderate bitterness lingers in the aftertaste. There is a lemony, orange peel and even grapefruit pith quality that is definitely IPA like. However, the yeasty flavors- peppery, fruity esters, rustic quality and dry palate-definitely are reminiscent of a Belgian Pale Ale. I would describe the body as medium. The drinkability-at least once the head settles-is excellent.
What else is there to say, but, has Allagash ever made a bad brew? Not in my experience. They are so great at making Belgian style Ales. I thought this one was great.
Apr 28, 2017
Hugh Malone from Allagash Brewing Company
Beer rating: 89 out of 100 with 877 ratings