Flame Thrower
Pig Minds Brewing Co.

 

 

 

 

On tap a few days after its release at the brewery.

The appearance was a bit brighter than most Belgian Dark Strongs I've had, but nothing outrageous. Brown in appearance, white head, almost no carbonation. Smell was typical as well. Yeasty esters, smokey, slight banana and fig tinges, malt and alcohol, though all of the above weren't very pungent. Taste followed the "not very pungent" feeling I was getting. Watery, not very flavorful. Alcohol sweetness came through over the actual belgian dark flavors, which was disappointing, but you could still tell that they were there. The mouthfeel was flat. Completely flat. Like drinking day-old soda, except instead of high-fructose corn syrup stuck on your throat, it was an alcohol sweetness.

Served on-tap at the brewery. Poured into a 12oz snifter, the ale is near black with a bubbly tan head that dissipates quickly and leaves minimal lacing on the glass. Aromas are smoky, roasty, coffee, dark chocolate, some booze and ripened dark fruit as it warms. Tastes are complex and sweet with notes of raisin, smoke, burnt caramel, banana, chocolate, honey, fruit, alcohol is very well concealed. Mouth-feel is medium, creamy, smooth, ample carbonation. Overall, it's very approachable and different. Good balance and complexity with a delicate smokiness from the torched raisins.