Secret Church
Braindead Brewing

 

 

 

 

this brewery was one of my favorites from my recent texas trip. the beers were all pretty solid, awesome guest tap list and sensational food. cool vibe too for sure. this beer is so close to being amazing, but it falls short in the key areas for a belgian style like this. its totally flat. the color of the beer is a rich crimson, and it definitely has a little malty viscosity to it, right on point, but it looks near dead still in the glass, and it really doesnt even come around. the palate is weird too because there really isnt any carbonation, its a big letdown in that regard for me. that said, the flavor is great, a little darker and richer than a lot of dubbel types. the yeast is mild, or maybe rather is covered up a little bit by the nutty semi candied malt flavor, which is really good. hints of fig and smoke, round and big, really good. not overly sweet at the end, a little molasses malt flavor lingers, caramelized grain sugar, but the yeast has done a nice job on it. cool to have all this grain flavor and not an absurd abv too. with some effervescent carbonation this would be one of the better examples of the style i have had, but it was so lifeless as to nearly ruin the experience of the drink. tough to have a belgian style come out flat like this, its a big ding for me...