Caldera
Ethereal Brewing

Toasted caramel color. Off white head. No Link to speak of. Nose is mostly toasted caramel with the ABV coming through on the nose. Taste is similar to a banana bread. Slight warmth from abv.

 

Always ones to embrace more authentic tasting Belgian styles, Ethereal Brewing elevates the Tripel ale to eleven percent alcohol and the flavor impact to boot.

Erupting with banana aromas, Caldera first settles into the glass with a pale and cloudy golden-straw character. As a creamy white froth floats the rim, the banana is accompanied with estery fruits, yeast spices and an undercurrent of white wine and cookie dough. Sweeter once on the tongue, the foundation of bready malts and whole wheat give impressions of sugar cookie and fresh baking bread.

But the fruity flavors quickly begin to dominate the middle palate with banana. A complement of green apple, lemon, pear and white grape add roundness and complexity ahead of a spicy balance of white pepper, coriander, clove and vinous white wine. A hint of hops bring a grassy bitterness that grows as the grain sweetness fades and fades into the yeast spices ideally well.

Medium full, bold and deceptively smooth, the ale is surprisingly easy to drink despite its strength. Its fades into a malty-dry taste with echoes of fruit and spice with a slight simmering warmth of light brandy and sangria.