L'Enfant Terrible
Social Kitchen & Brewery

 

 

Had this on draft in the brewpub last night. Being from nearby, I would love for this brewery to start cranking out really high-quality stuff. Though they have some good ideas (I'd put a dark Belgian single in that category), but they just aren't executing at a level that impresses.

Take this beer -- it came out a beautiful dark brown with a shimmering tan head and went downhill from there. Faint, slightly spiced pseudo-Belgian nose, not unpleasant. The thing fell apart in taste and mouthfeel. A bit of sweet malt with no hops, then it evaporates. The mouthfeel is the worst of all. Totally insubstantial and gone before you even know it. I've honestly had (and made) under-matured homebrew that had better structure and body.

Still rooting hard for Social, but they still haven't found their groove yet.

 

 

Had a 1/2 pint at the pub, served in a nice snifter glass.

A: Clear ruby red with off white head.

S: First yeasty - phenols of flowers & bubblegum but spicy as well. A bit of ethanol and mellow chocolate.

T: Spicy yeast with biscuit malt followed by malt sweetness then chocolate and floral notes in the finish. Loads of flavor in a low OG beer! I love it.

M: Light bodied with medium CO2.

D: A very drinkable beer with lots of character. Reminds me of a light abbey dubble.

Interesting beer. Low alcohol dark Belgian ale, not too "Belgian," but definitely some light fruitiness and spice. Nice dark ruby color. Very roasty/chocolate/mocha flavor. Like a dry English brown ale crossed with an abbey ale, sort of. I was worried it might be cloying, but they keep it very dry. Hops are there, but the dark, grainy malt is what sticks out the most. I could drink a lot of these. Seems like most brewpubs have a lot of pale ales and a lot of stouts/porters but not much in between, so this style is a great niche to fill.