3
The Defiant Brewing Company

corked 750ml bottle, no label.

I noticed dry brown bubbles between the opening on the neck of the bottle and the cork. I'm afraid before opening that this beer may be oxidized.

3 pours an orange/yellow gradient, very nice with slight haze, lots of angry carbonation rushes to support the big foamy sticky pure white head. A very intriguing nose, wow, minty, citrusy, lemon-grass, soft licorice notes, very pleasant even with its slight funk of oxidation. First taste... This beer has been exposed to oxygen. A great beer lays beneath the overlaying funk. Very bright carbonation is the first thing i noticed creates an interesting mix with the sour lemon character, bready yeast, spice, warming booze and bright hops. This is actually quite nice even with its funk, i could deal with a little less carbonation. I'd like to try a fresh/good bottle.

This beer is poured a golden color - almost like a pilsner - with a decent white head. You can smell the alcohol as soon as it comes within arms reach of your nose. Tastes very alcoholic, as a tripel should. When people ask me about it, I tend to describe it as "alcohol with beer in it." Nice mouthfeel, not too thin. If you like alcoholic beers, this is the one for you, but I usually pass on these.

Woo Hoo! I'm really looking forward to this one. Neill filled the growler directly from the fermenter so all signs point to 'fresh'.

It's a little light on the carbonation, and the head is small and quick to dissipate. I'm sure that aspect is better on site. The color is a bright saturated gold with hints of amber.

Aroma is delightful- candy and bright fruits hit you first- a nice blend of kiwi, pineapple, strawberries and circus peanuts. Beneath it all is a touch of vanilla wafers and light caramel. I get some alcohol but actually had to search for it, so let's call it pretty well-hidden.

The palate is 'just right'- not too cloying, not too bitter, not too alcoholic but, most importantly, not too timid either. The mouthfeel is full and the finish is lingering with the spices (vanilla, mostly) and cookie-like malt. Dangerously drinkable.

Fantastic- perhaps Neill's best beer.

Poured straight from the storage vessel into my glass, with a gorgeous thick white head over a slightly murky orange-copper body. Smelled like a Belgian Saison, spicy and yeasty. Big taste, bursting with malty sweetness. Predominant sour orange flavor, with raisin, yeast, alcohol, and sour dough.Had a big finish, but balanced and refreshing, fairly drinkable for such a big beer. Nicely done.

9/26/2006 $3.50 10 oz. draft 8.90% Fresh on tap.

Appearance:

Pours a slightly hazy golden orange with over an inch of foamy head that is slow to settle and leaves behind a brilliantly complex lace.

Aroma:

Mellow, fresh cut grass with muted peach notes and a slight touch of bread.

Taste/Mouthfeel:

Glides across the tongue - soooo smooth. Bright herbal notes with a touch of peach and a burst of alcohol. This is reminiscent of Sprecher's Triple (which was good), but without the intense sweetness. This is fantastic, and highly drinkable.