Canticle
FERMÆNTRA

 

 

a unique beer, especially as a belgian style for these guys. lots of good here. its clear and copper colored, definitely lighter in color than other beers called dubbel, and without the big belgian white head, but still some pure white fluff atop it. the nose is yeasty for sure, but oddly german to me, not belgian. i get more banana and clove, like a dunkel would have, than i do the traditional belgian notes. weird, but i like it. it there in the flavor too, a defined sugared banana finish to it. temperature of fermentation must have been whack, or the strain is not what they think it is. i like the cleaner malt base, brown sugar and date flavors, but its a little one dimensional for a style thats known for its complexity. very drinkable though with the lower abv and gentler malt weight. its carbonated well, but short of the effervescent belgian standard. some residual sugar with the banana flavor, it really works. i think despite being a little weird, this beer is a great success for these guys, and their takes on belgian styles continue to hold my attention. i was stoked to sip one of these down with the garage doors wide open this afternoon, finally feels like spring and this lighter dubbel is most appropriate for that.

Enjoyable isoamylacetate aroma dominates the nose. Color is a little light but still pleasant at a red brown. Ok head retention. Good carbonation and enjoyable Candi sugar flavors. Perfect balance of sweet and bitter for the style. Ok for the style. Missing some of the depth that it should have and the banana really dominates the aroma and will not let any malt aromas shine. Flavor is good but also too one dimensional.