Ora
Henniker Brewing Co.

From the 2016 dated bottle, it pours a clear amber with a modest head that reduces and leaves some lacing. In the nose, this deceptively aged bottle has a scent of orange. In the mouth, it is ever so slightly sour (probably due to age), with a taste of belgian spice and, again, orange. Not bad for a brew meant to be drunk young!

 

 

2017 bottle.
This was poured into a tulip.
The appearance was a semi-rustic amber color with a sly transparency about it. Streams of carbonation could be seen rising at a nice pace. Just a sheet of white foamy head dissolved gently to leave some semi-messy filmy lace bubbles along the sides of the glass.
The aroma had a nice blend of sweet to spicy rye playing with some coriander, orange pulp (semi-sweet and rind-like), candied red delicious apples, Belgian yeastiness, "iced" green apples, light grassiness and ended with a touch of caramel/biscuity tones.
The flavor was moderately sweet with a nice meshing Belgian spiciness coming from the yeast and seemingly pulling in the orange pulp and then the rye spiciness. Light tones of caramel, toast and coriander further in the back. Semi-sticky orange pulpy to rye floral and sweet involvement in the aftertaste.
The mouthfeel was almost medium bodied with a fair sipping quality about it. ABV felt appropriate. Carbonation felt as projected. Appropriate amount of rye harshness felt good and mobile along my tongue. Rye is there in the finish, but coming across in the positive manner.
Overall, very nicely done Belgian Strong Pale ale with the addition of rye making it a worthy offering coming from Henniker to have again.

Strong presence of Belgian esters with some light fruit notes in the aroma. The beer itself pours a light amber with a thin white head. There's quite a bit of visible sediment in the bottle, which stirs up easily, so be careful when moving and pouring this one. Light bodied, with a touch of caramel sweetness, and fruit notes. This is nicely balanced by a floral and earthy finish. The alcohol is very well hidden, making this a dangerously good beer.

Near to a well-made Belgian tripel that you can get! Dense, rocky head. Full yeast/spice nose. Bit of a bitter finish towards the end but not distracting.

 

 

From the 22oz bottle, undated but the 2016 was bottled, I think, at the beginning of August - so, about a month old. Served in a tulip.

Pours a glowing orange-gold color with vigorous carbonation and a three-finger head of fine, fluffy foam which promptly settles to a thin but solid cap of silky froth.

The nose is all-over sharp belgian yeast, with apples, clean, earthy mushroom, leaf mould and a little citrus something.

Taste is a thick, mellow melange of grains - barley, rye, oats, wheat and spelt, as per the label - pillowed in a cloud of belgian yeastiness. Follows the nose with apples, mushrooms and the whole, general woodsy, forest floor shebang. Ends with a pleasant fruity caramel booziness on the palate and in the sinuses.

Mouthfeel is medium-heavy and thick despite the abundant carbonation. In fact, although it's hard to imagine how there could be any more carbonation in there, it could use more. I'd recommend a gentle pour to keep as much in as possible.

Overall, a fine but filling meal in a bottle. I don't think I could drink more than one of these at a sitting and, at 8.5% abv which is, incidentally, very well hidden, I suppose it would be best not to try.

Henniker's black label seasonal Off-the-Grid series are always worth trying if you come across one.

From the 650 ml. bottle with the 2015 vintage. Sampled on September 27, 2015.

The pour is a hazy medium amber-orange with a long lasting head.

Such an array of aromas on the nose! Barley malts, oats, pepper, spicy, Belgian sugar, overripe fruit, grass, and cantaloupe.

The body is bigger than I expected and smooth.

The flavor is toasted and spicy with a pepper bite at the end. It finishes dry and lingers.

 

Bottle from Candia Rd.
Mostly clear deep golden color with a decent sized off white head thta shows moderate retention. More fruity than spicy on the nose although both exist. Hints of sugary candied fruits and just a touch of alcohol. Faint cereal grainy flavors add a nice touch to a pretty damn nice sippin' beer.

Classic Abbey Trippel here with that barley and yeast bringing out the wonderful fruity aroma and flavor profile. Extremely drinkable and quite a delight to indulge. Straw in color with a foamy, fizzy head that retreats with just a smattering of lacing here and there. Smell is of citrus and tropical fruits and the taste follows the nose but more pronounced. Medium bodied brew that has only a slight bitterness on the palate in the finish. I found this to be much better than I anticipated and I'm glad I grabbed a bottle. Now to find another.

Golden orangey amber depending on the lighting with a finger of white foam. Ripe citrus and estery apple and pear with belgian yeast, candi sugar, and caramel on nose, a little sweet I fear. Taste is not as sweet as nose lets on, in fact black pepper, yeast, slight rye bread, flowers and earth balance well. Body is still on the very light and bright side of the style spectrum, but decently full and smooth.