Emperor Norton
Almanac Beer Co.

 

 

I'm going to guess this was an 042916 bottling date, batch 2063, from the ink sprayed note on the 22oz bottle. Well, it was the last one left on the shelf, and I'm thinking it has not aged that well. I think the hops have gone a little off and the apricot is not as fresh either. Seems like it was probably an interesting idea; maybe they should try it again sometime and back off on the oily hops.

 

 

 

The appearance was a brisk golden yellow color with a carbonation rising at a moderate pace to fill a one finger white foamy head that died off ever so slowly to fill small valleys here and there. Ringed messy lacing ran here and there. The aroma leaned towards the IPA/DIPA side of the wheelhouse with some white pepper and a sweet lemon pulp and then some light apricots. Grassy sweet hops tickle some white grapes with a fresh oily scent to it. Light pine at the end. The flavor blends white grapes, the apricots and lemon pulp to the grassy sweet hops nicely. Pine is starting to becomes slightly stronger. Hop oils are becoming stronger too. Strong hop oily aftertaste with a dry white grape finish, but not vinous. On the palate, this one sat about a light on the body with a medium carbonation, acceptable. Mild dryness seems inviting to the bitter hoppy portion over my tongue. Feels pretty good. Overall, nice Belgian pale ale.

 

It has a big apricot nose suplemented with Belgian yeast stone fruit aromas, over ripe fruit, and traces of citus and biscuit. It pours hazy gold, releasing streams of tiny bubles rushing to refresh a 3" white to cream colored foam cap that takes 5 minutes to reduce to a thick, lacy film. Apricot and Belgian yeast flavors lead the attack lightly sweetened by honey and supported by a mild biscuit flavor. Over ripe fruit, banana, stone fruit and citrus flavors are slighly lower in intensity. A moderate hop bitterness emerges by mid-palate and carries through into the after taste where the beer dries slightly. the Belgian yeast flavors and texture moderate the hop bitterness a little. Mild, soft alcohol flavors come out as the beer warms. Emperor Norton has a very creamy medium body with light warming and slightly above average, soft carbonation. Overall the flavors are well-rounded yet interesting and complex.

 

 

 

 

a tasty and interesting beer for sure, but i had a little higher hopes for this one. its a belgian imperial ipa, brewed with apricots and uniquely dry hopped, not something you see very often or ever, but somehow the beer just doest come across all that unique to me. the fruit adds more of a generic sweetness to this, rather than a true apricot flavor, and it seems to be lost a little to the booze and the yeast, both of which are pungent. the yeast has some spice thats a nice counterpoint to the citrusy hops, but it does take over the beer a little bit, especially in the finish were the hops should really be at their strongest. i like the idea better than the execution, and also think this might benefit from being something more like 7% abv, the extra weight and alcohol seem to interfere pretty significantly with more delicate flavors like the apricot and hallertau blanc hops. still, i like the idea a lot, and the beer is very good, pretty darn drinkable despite my criticism of its strength too. better with food maybe than on its own. this could be tweaked to be amazing pretty easily though...

Pours a very hazed peach color with 3 fingers of fluffed up pearl colored head. Stellar lacing & head retention, never really clears up

S: Peach must, pears, some tartness

T: Pears, white grape, a little boozey apricot jam, some lemon zest as well up front. Sweet apricot as this warms along with dryness, slight tartnesss too, just a hint of pineapple. Finishes with apricot, a little honey, grapefruit & some bready notes with just a bit of grapefruit & peach

MF: Medium body, fluffy carbonation, a little grittiness that sort of enhances this

Drinks too easy, was really iffy about this one, but damn tasty!

 

 

Had on tap. Pours hazy gold in color with one inch head. Taste is pineapples and wet dank hops. Medium heavy bodied. Really did not get much tripel flavors at all. Decent, but nothing I would rush out to get again either.

On-tap 6/21/2016 at Flynn’s in Mansfield, MA, served in a tulip glass.

A: The beer is a bright gold color, with a short white head that fades slowly and leaves a very thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma contains Belgian yeast, citrus, caramelized malts and a touch of spice.

T: The taste starts out sweet with flavors of caramel and some spices. Then some breadiness comes in from Belgian yeast and a hearty but not too heavy malt character. The hops presence is good for the style and brings a good balance. The after-taste is slightly sweet.

M: Crisp and smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.

O: Tasty, goes down dangerously easy, not too filling, strong kick, good representation of style, this is very solid beer to drink for a long time if you’re in the mood for the style.