Will This Belgian Style Beer Deserve Your Respect?
Evil Twin Brewing

 

 

 

Instead of boring you with a long harangue, I'll answer the question at the top of this review: Yes, but you had my respect before because Ryan (& The Beaster Bunny) is almost as good as my most preferred Top 3 saisons. So, The Evil Twin already had my respect and admiration in the Belgian Tradition.

So why go overboard with 12ABV? Well, I'm supposing that is part of the Evil Twin's joke. But based only on three Belgians, The Twins have my respect. But truth be told, 16 ounces of 12ABV is hard for me to drink by myself... or in one sitting... and certainly on an empty stomach.

I will give a longer review as I work through the 4-pack I just bought at The Beer Temple. But for now: 12ABV distorts Evil Twins' talents. It's OK to be funny in this industry, but don't cheapen your talents. More to come.

1/24/23 I decided this was too strong to drink by myself and gave away two copies. But this last one today proves my point: the joke is OK, but the amped-up ABV is not in the Belgian Tradition. So while Evil Twin may have earned my respect, they have not earned my admiration in the Belgian tradition. Respect? has way too much IN YOUR FACE ABV.

great name for a beer here, so few american made ones ever do, so this is funny but also poignant. i had no idea it was 12% abv when i picked it up, thought it was like a duvel type, yikes, tie one on! pretty color, like a muted honey tone, just a touch of light haze to it, a high white head that suits the style, and a wild nose, pungent and strong, a little bit alcohol, a little bit of cooked sugar sweetness, not all that malty, candy syrup maybe in the mix, but real cool esters too, not over developed but bold, pear, chardonnay, dried flowers, and honeycomb, neat, familiar but different. a little spice to the flavor from the ferment too, white pepper and clove late, but its not woo much. simple on the grain side, only a little rich and baked, and without any abbey type malt decadence, yet it still finishes on the sweet side. red apple and apple cider, light maple, and golden raisin, along with the wonderful sudsy frothiness from the ferment and conditioning. it doesnt need to be this strong, and even though the alcohol isnt a distraction, i dont really want to only have one can of this, but the strength limits me there. its also a little sweeter than even the style wants, but in the end its real well executed and the answer is yes, it does deserve my respect. fun beer, a little bit of back to basics for these guys, who so rarely anymore seemt to tackle the traditional styles. nailed this, cool strong ale for late summertime too!

 

Tall can with 02/07/22 dating stamped on the bottom.

Pour is typical almond amber, minor cap and no lacing left behind. Leaves some yeasty floaters on the final pour.

On the sniff, its candied oranges, coriander, ginger and minty/lime n yeast.

Full flavor brew, that is not for the faint of heart. More oranges, ginger, coriander, lime, mint, and Belgian yeasty notes.

12% not overly well hidden, so this one will not be for everybody. As a fan of the style....I loved this heady creation, enjoying every sip of this tasty treat

Served from the can in a Lagunitas mason jar.

Pours a partly hazy golden-orange topped by a finger of off-cream foam. The nose comprises mild biscuit, grapefruit zest, light coriander, cracked wheat, light clove, mild grass, candied orange peel, and a touch of banana peel. The taste brings in more of the same, the usual Belgian yeast characters coming on stage to mingle with the fruits. The body is a light medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a sorta/kinda drying finish. A solid BSGA, if one that doesn't show much in the way of creativity or imagination. You like strong Belgian golds? This'll do ya just fine.