Kwaad
Blue Stallion Brewing Co.

Everyone works quite hard, even at the risk of turning up a dud, to put a spin on a style of beer for the sake of uniqueness, difference and hopefully come up with something wonderful. But some styles are not to be messed with, and the Belgian abbey styled darker, stronger ale is one of those.

Blue Stallion Brewing adheres to the quintessential flavors and techniques of the Belgian Quad with their own Kwaad. Pouring a rusty, tawny garnet haze, the beer's skirt of froth dances on the nose with dark fruit, vinous spice and an undercurrent of candied sweetness. Sweet on the tongue, that candied character rolls onto the early palate with caramel, toffee, brown sugar and the old time horehound candies.

Stern sweetness persists on the middle palate, taking on proportions of sorghum and cola. Dark, dried, pitted fruits roll onto the tastebuds next with raisin, fig, date, cherry, apricot and light prune. Hinting toward sherry wine, the spices of the beer hit the periphery of cinnamon, allspice, clove and nutmeg before trailing into a mild red wine acidity with a very mild hop bite.

Full in body, the beer's finish is brandy warm which highlights the spices and brings the fruit and spice balance into shape. Lingering sweetness plays a bolder role than usual and is partially offset by a toasty, nutty, and earthen spice that's slightly coffee-like.