Inspiration Ale
The Defiant Brewing Company

Poured into a mug with a golden ruddy mahagony topped with a drippy froth.

Deep scents of yeasty Belgian dough, complimented with a spicy hint.

First swigs: Spice wafer cookie and doughy with a spicy slight anise hint. Spot on dubbel with a clean lingering finish. Another great defiant brew. Glad to make the trip.

Very slightly hazy rusty brown color with a two-finger head that lasts about a minute and then settles down leaving a bit of lacing in its wake.

Ooh- really nice aroma- simultaneously malty, fruity and spicy with some candy thrown in there. The yeast signature reminds me of Affligem. Dried cherries and cloves seem to dominate, but there are also hints of vanilla, lavender and citrus peel amongst other things. It is a very tight, complex blend and has a very appealing richness about it. If there is alcohol here it is very well concealed.

The palate is a bit more straightforward- mostly caramel and some fruit. It is somewhat of a step down from that wonderful nose but is ultimately saved by a very pleasing dryness to complement the lush mouthfeel. The spices return on the lingering finish along with some bready malt.

Very drinkable, really nice job- a real bargain at $7.50/growler, actually!

Light brown body supporting a luscious and irregular tan head. The nose isn't hugely assertive, but there's raisin, alcohol, and sherry in the nose. Has an upfront metallic taste, with good malty sweetness and a slight hop bitterness that balances extremely well. There is also a chocolate (really more fudge/Hersheys) roundness to it. The beer keeps developing as it warms up a bit more (even though it was served fairly warm). It develops a caramel flavor, and then also apricot. Big, huge, Broadway type finish, nice and warm and reminds you of everything that was there. Very drinkable, a joy and a pelasure.

9/26/2006 $3.50 10 oz. draft 7.40% Fresh on tap.

Appearance:

Nice clear brown speckled with orange and hints of claret adorned by roughly 1 & 1/2 inch of tight tan head that settles into just a fringe with nice lacing.

Aroma:

Nice notes of raisins, Belgian candied sugars and a stouch of ripe starfruit.

Taste/Mouthfeel:

Nicely smooth mouthfeel, with mild carbonation; slightly chewy with a touch of roasted malts and tons of raisin character which flows into ripe plum by midsip. Finish is dry with lingering sweet fruit flavors.

Neil (brewmaster) recommended this with Vecherin cheese (a funky Swiss import) and it really makes the flavors of the beer pop! Beware the homemade mustard, as it packs a punch.