Allagash Interlude | Allagash Brewing Company
Brewed by:
Allagash Brewing Company
Maine, United States | website
Style: Saison / Farmhouse Ale
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 9.50%
Availability: Rotating
Notes / Commercial Description:
Two yeast strains were used to create this unique 9.5% ABV Belgian style ale. The first, a Belgian farmhouse yeast, establishes the flavor foundations of a classic Belgian-style ale. The second, a house strain of Brettanomyces yeast, brings it to the next level contributing an intriguing myriad of flavors including pear, apricot, graham cracker, and bread crust. Finally, a portion of the Interlude is aged in French Merlot and Sirah oak barrels, which impart a distinctive vinous plum character and a drying, almost tannic finish.
Added by brewandbbq on 01-15-2006
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Reviews: 448 | Ratings: 1,357
4.3/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
2007 poured into pint glass. Smallish head , little lacing . Cloudy orange.
Smell is "horse blanket" , slight fruitiness.
The taste is somewhat sour , with oak. Hop bitterness is low, and smallish malt profile.
Mouthfeel is light , with a sharp finish.
Overall this beer is a pleasure to drink.
★ 306 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
2007 poured into pint glass. Smallish head , little lacing . Cloudy orange.
Smell is "horse blanket" , slight fruitiness.
The taste is somewhat sour , with oak. Hop bitterness is low, and smallish malt profile.
Mouthfeel is light , with a sharp finish.
Overall this beer is a pleasure to drink.
★ 306 characters
4.3/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Poured into a chalice.
A nice hazy nectarine color with minimal head... the bottle says pour slowly... perhaps a more vigorous pour would have produced better results?
Still, quite pretty.
The bret is very apparent in the nose..making it crisp and sour. Unfortunately, the bret is so mighty that it is difficult to discern any other aromas, aside from yeast and a bit of grapejuice. There is also a certain chardonnay-like oakiness apparent. Not too bad at all.
The bret is certainly not as strong as the nose would suggest... instead it is wonderfully balanced with the other wine-y characteristics of this brew. Wonderful.
Good body to this one... but the carbonation is a bit sharp. I think that with how similar this brew is to wine that it could use a bit less in this regard.
Extremely drinkable... especially for a 9.5%.
An absolutely fantastic brew.... will I spend $20 for it again? Undecided as of yet.
★ 930 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Poured into a chalice.
A nice hazy nectarine color with minimal head... the bottle says pour slowly... perhaps a more vigorous pour would have produced better results?
Still, quite pretty.
The bret is very apparent in the nose..making it crisp and sour. Unfortunately, the bret is so mighty that it is difficult to discern any other aromas, aside from yeast and a bit of grapejuice. There is also a certain chardonnay-like oakiness apparent. Not too bad at all.
The bret is certainly not as strong as the nose would suggest... instead it is wonderfully balanced with the other wine-y characteristics of this brew. Wonderful.
Good body to this one... but the carbonation is a bit sharp. I think that with how similar this brew is to wine that it could use a bit less in this regard.
Extremely drinkable... especially for a 9.5%.
An absolutely fantastic brew.... will I spend $20 for it again? Undecided as of yet.
★ 930 characters
4.79/5 rDev +14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
A: 2007 bottle poured into the trusty Duvel tulip. A nice goldenrod body fills the glass, topped by a slightly fizzy white head of one finger. Due to the champagne-like carbonation of this beer, the head dissipates quickly to a thin halo and doesn't leave much lacing.
S: My nose catches a big shot of vinous champagne aroma. White grapes, brett, funky apple.
T: A round sourness is the result of the brettanomyces here. Spicy, lemony, a bit oaky, citrus zest. Very complex and very delicious.
M: The champagney carbonation really works nicely here. The body is light but not flimsy. Very crisp and clean finish.
D: Drinking a 750 of this beer is no problem. The alcohol is hidden well and the flavor is just succulent.
Incredible beer, hats off to Allagash. This is their Temptation.
★ 799 characters
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
A: 2007 bottle poured into the trusty Duvel tulip. A nice goldenrod body fills the glass, topped by a slightly fizzy white head of one finger. Due to the champagne-like carbonation of this beer, the head dissipates quickly to a thin halo and doesn't leave much lacing.
S: My nose catches a big shot of vinous champagne aroma. White grapes, brett, funky apple.
T: A round sourness is the result of the brettanomyces here. Spicy, lemony, a bit oaky, citrus zest. Very complex and very delicious.
M: The champagney carbonation really works nicely here. The body is light but not flimsy. Very crisp and clean finish.
D: Drinking a 750 of this beer is no problem. The alcohol is hidden well and the flavor is just succulent.
Incredible beer, hats off to Allagash. This is their Temptation.
★ 799 characters
4.53/5 rDev +8.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
2006 bottle, sampled 4/07, poured into a Burgundy wine glass.
A: rich and slightly hazy garnet/ruby body. clean white, but not bleach white head, tiny bubbles, frothy and smooth. beautiful lacing left all over the glass. head fades but is easily agitated back. the body of this beer looks like a rare gem, just gorgeous.
S: the vinous and barrel qualities hit you just as you approach the glass, before you can even get a nose in. deep rich red wine, oak, and on and on. horse blanket, a hint of mustard, sugar, a distinct brett acidity, strawberries, and a morning dew kinda ozone/fresh snow thing. and more.
T/M: very soft on the mouth, medium bodied at best. coats well and is extremely smooth. wine up front, followed by some fruit, sugar, and drying spice. brett and funk swells throughout but extremely balanced and sophisticated. never overpowering but always present. the brett wont let you forget it, mistake it, or neglect it, but never demands your monogamous. same can be said of the oak/wine quality. this is one extremely balanced and complex liquid from one of our greatest brewing assets. as the sugar and fuit fades, the acidity of the brett is left, the alcohol spice and warmth rises, and the finish is left dry.
D: hard to say. the alcohol in this brew is not very subtle. its not out of balance but its there in both taste and feeling. a magnificent food beer, a great conversations piece to be shared with friends. a very high price tag but worth every penny in my opinion.
I have every intention of consuming more and more of this magnificent brew. a huge cheers to Rob and Allagash for continuing to push themselves and their art. this is the work of a master brewer.
★ 1,708 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
2006 bottle, sampled 4/07, poured into a Burgundy wine glass.
A: rich and slightly hazy garnet/ruby body. clean white, but not bleach white head, tiny bubbles, frothy and smooth. beautiful lacing left all over the glass. head fades but is easily agitated back. the body of this beer looks like a rare gem, just gorgeous.
S: the vinous and barrel qualities hit you just as you approach the glass, before you can even get a nose in. deep rich red wine, oak, and on and on. horse blanket, a hint of mustard, sugar, a distinct brett acidity, strawberries, and a morning dew kinda ozone/fresh snow thing. and more.
T/M: very soft on the mouth, medium bodied at best. coats well and is extremely smooth. wine up front, followed by some fruit, sugar, and drying spice. brett and funk swells throughout but extremely balanced and sophisticated. never overpowering but always present. the brett wont let you forget it, mistake it, or neglect it, but never demands your monogamous. same can be said of the oak/wine quality. this is one extremely balanced and complex liquid from one of our greatest brewing assets. as the sugar and fuit fades, the acidity of the brett is left, the alcohol spice and warmth rises, and the finish is left dry.
D: hard to say. the alcohol in this brew is not very subtle. its not out of balance but its there in both taste and feeling. a magnificent food beer, a great conversations piece to be shared with friends. a very high price tag but worth every penny in my opinion.
I have every intention of consuming more and more of this magnificent brew. a huge cheers to Rob and Allagash for continuing to push themselves and their art. this is the work of a master brewer.
★ 1,708 characters
4.34/5 rDev +3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
The cap blew off the bottle with a slight twist to the cork....a minor amount spilled out. That said, there is little head, but it has staying power and leaves a gentle lace on the glass. Light amber and crystal clear.
Some sour cherry aromas, all-spice, cinnamon, slight nutmeg; some alcohol warmth in the aroma also.
More sour than most American Belgians (is that an oxymoron?). Much spiciness as described in the aroma is present in the flavor as well. This is an extraordinarily complex ale. The aftertaste lasts for a long time.
A potent concoction with a lovely blend of interesting flavors and smells. This is a strong ale and it shows in the alcohol warmth.
★ 674 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
The cap blew off the bottle with a slight twist to the cork....a minor amount spilled out. That said, there is little head, but it has staying power and leaves a gentle lace on the glass. Light amber and crystal clear.
Some sour cherry aromas, all-spice, cinnamon, slight nutmeg; some alcohol warmth in the aroma also.
More sour than most American Belgians (is that an oxymoron?). Much spiciness as described in the aroma is present in the flavor as well. This is an extraordinarily complex ale. The aftertaste lasts for a long time.
A potent concoction with a lovely blend of interesting flavors and smells. This is a strong ale and it shows in the alcohol warmth.
★ 674 characters
3.9/5 rDev -6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
2006 Vintage
A: Hazy peach/copper color with lazy bubbles moving to and fro. Head is a good inch of medium sized whipped color bubbles.
S: Lots of brett on the nose. Also some pungent oak, perfumy apricot, lemon juice and wet hay.
T: Begins with strong oak on the tip of the tongue most of which is pungent and not a lot of vanilla. Trade mark peach yogurt brett flavor comes next filling the entire front of the mouth with explosive flavor. The farmhouse persona is immediate and hits before youve realized that its there. Very spicy loaded with pollen, dandelion, grass clippings and wet hay. Then comes the sweetness, an interesting dimension to come after the clear delineations of the previous flavors. A lot of cider components going on with hints of clover honey, minor butterscotch and a bit of caramel. Finishes out with yellow apple sweetness.
M: Medium body, full mouthfeel with only a small amount of fuzziness.
D: I wasnt super impressed with this beer off the get go. It did grow on me but not leaps and bounds. The beer had very good depth and complexity but the overall flavors didnt blow me away. I did enjoy this beer but for the price I wouldnt buy it again.
★ 1,203 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
2006 Vintage
A: Hazy peach/copper color with lazy bubbles moving to and fro. Head is a good inch of medium sized whipped color bubbles.
S: Lots of brett on the nose. Also some pungent oak, perfumy apricot, lemon juice and wet hay.
T: Begins with strong oak on the tip of the tongue most of which is pungent and not a lot of vanilla. Trade mark peach yogurt brett flavor comes next filling the entire front of the mouth with explosive flavor. The farmhouse persona is immediate and hits before youve realized that its there. Very spicy loaded with pollen, dandelion, grass clippings and wet hay. Then comes the sweetness, an interesting dimension to come after the clear delineations of the previous flavors. A lot of cider components going on with hints of clover honey, minor butterscotch and a bit of caramel. Finishes out with yellow apple sweetness.
M: Medium body, full mouthfeel with only a small amount of fuzziness.
D: I wasnt super impressed with this beer off the get go. It did grow on me but not leaps and bounds. The beer had very good depth and complexity but the overall flavors didnt blow me away. I did enjoy this beer but for the price I wouldnt buy it again.
★ 1,203 characters
4.5/5 rDev +7.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
A - Pours golden with orange hues and a thin white head.
S - Barnyard funk with hints of white grapes and a touch of spicy belgian yeast.
T - Tart apple and pears with oak and some sour funk. White grapes are noticeable.
M - Medium body with good carbonation. Slightly sweet in the beginning becoming dry on the finish.
D - Very tasty. The Brett gives it a nice sour touch.
★ 386 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
A - Pours golden with orange hues and a thin white head.
S - Barnyard funk with hints of white grapes and a touch of spicy belgian yeast.
T - Tart apple and pears with oak and some sour funk. White grapes are noticeable.
M - Medium body with good carbonation. Slightly sweet in the beginning becoming dry on the finish.
D - Very tasty. The Brett gives it a nice sour touch.
★ 386 characters
4.2/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance after poured from tap - nice deep golden color with a head that persisted forever.
Smelled pretty funky. Tasted pretty fantastic. Not sure if it comes from the barrel aging in wine casks or not, but this beer was quite complex. Sharp, spicy flavors dominate early, then subside into a very distinct sourness reminiscent of cherries and dried apricots. The taste of alcohol is detectable but not overpowering.
Very enjoyable beer, but the flavors are so strong that I don't think I'd drink more than one at a time.
★ 530 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance after poured from tap - nice deep golden color with a head that persisted forever.
Smelled pretty funky. Tasted pretty fantastic. Not sure if it comes from the barrel aging in wine casks or not, but this beer was quite complex. Sharp, spicy flavors dominate early, then subside into a very distinct sourness reminiscent of cherries and dried apricots. The taste of alcohol is detectable but not overpowering.
Very enjoyable beer, but the flavors are so strong that I don't think I'd drink more than one at a time.
★ 530 characters
4.5/5 rDev +7.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
2005 vintage. Radiant mandarin orange with a sparkling visage thanks to an impressive number of Champagne-like bubbles. Things become much more quiet at the two minute mark, but not before a stunning crown of alabaster foam has been created. I can't think of a single American brewery whose heads are this consistently Belgianesque. A modest amount of sea foam lace graces the glass.
Brettanomyces has such a distinctive aroma that it was instantly noted as beer exited bottle. The flavor profile might be a different story, but at this point in the proceedings, I wish it had been left out. I was looking forward to smelling what the Belgian yeast and the Merlot and Sirah oak barrel aging were able to contribute. It's still a remarkably appealing nose, but it might have been stunning with less barnyard funk.
I feel the same way about the flavor profile. I like wild yeast just fine, but there's no point in attempting to add other, more delicate, flavors to a beer when they have to struggle mightily to be noticed. Having said that, the funkiness is controlled rather than out of control. It's still possible to appreciate the incredible craftsmanship of yet another outstanding, outstandingly drinkable, Allagash ale.
I agree with the brewers that the beer has 'remarkable wine-like qualities'. It seems to me, though, that it's more white wine-like than it is reminiscent of Merlot or Sirah. There's a tart white grape vibe motoring along beneath all the yeast, with unripe pears firmly ensconced in the sidecar. A welcome clove spiciness is the only evidence of the traditional Belgian yeast strain. I don't believe that I've had a double-yeasted beer prior to this one.
I can't believe that much candi sugar was used. The beer is minimally sweet early and dries out considerably as each mouthful progresses. It finishes crisp and tart, like biting into, again, an unripe pear. As far as any qualities that might have been gained from the oak barrel aging, I can appreciate only an indeterminate woodiness that I wouldn't have noted if I hadn't known the details of the beer's creation.
The body/mouthfeel more than holds up its end of the bargain. It isn't what I would consider stunning, but intense scrutiny fails to find any real flaws. It's amazingly supple and bathes the mouth in an appealing fashion. A perfect amount and feel to the carbonation is the icing on the BSPA cake.
Interlude may not rise to the stratospheric heights of some of the brewery's other offerings, but it isn't far behind. I'd like to see them mix things up from year to year, perhaps adding a little less Brettanomyces next time. I hope they continue to push the brewing envelope because I almost always love the result. Allagash is a national treasure.
★ 2,763 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
2005 vintage. Radiant mandarin orange with a sparkling visage thanks to an impressive number of Champagne-like bubbles. Things become much more quiet at the two minute mark, but not before a stunning crown of alabaster foam has been created. I can't think of a single American brewery whose heads are this consistently Belgianesque. A modest amount of sea foam lace graces the glass.
Brettanomyces has such a distinctive aroma that it was instantly noted as beer exited bottle. The flavor profile might be a different story, but at this point in the proceedings, I wish it had been left out. I was looking forward to smelling what the Belgian yeast and the Merlot and Sirah oak barrel aging were able to contribute. It's still a remarkably appealing nose, but it might have been stunning with less barnyard funk.
I feel the same way about the flavor profile. I like wild yeast just fine, but there's no point in attempting to add other, more delicate, flavors to a beer when they have to struggle mightily to be noticed. Having said that, the funkiness is controlled rather than out of control. It's still possible to appreciate the incredible craftsmanship of yet another outstanding, outstandingly drinkable, Allagash ale.
I agree with the brewers that the beer has 'remarkable wine-like qualities'. It seems to me, though, that it's more white wine-like than it is reminiscent of Merlot or Sirah. There's a tart white grape vibe motoring along beneath all the yeast, with unripe pears firmly ensconced in the sidecar. A welcome clove spiciness is the only evidence of the traditional Belgian yeast strain. I don't believe that I've had a double-yeasted beer prior to this one.
I can't believe that much candi sugar was used. The beer is minimally sweet early and dries out considerably as each mouthful progresses. It finishes crisp and tart, like biting into, again, an unripe pear. As far as any qualities that might have been gained from the oak barrel aging, I can appreciate only an indeterminate woodiness that I wouldn't have noted if I hadn't known the details of the beer's creation.
The body/mouthfeel more than holds up its end of the bargain. It isn't what I would consider stunning, but intense scrutiny fails to find any real flaws. It's amazingly supple and bathes the mouth in an appealing fashion. A perfect amount and feel to the carbonation is the icing on the BSPA cake.
Interlude may not rise to the stratospheric heights of some of the brewery's other offerings, but it isn't far behind. I'd like to see them mix things up from year to year, perhaps adding a little less Brettanomyces next time. I hope they continue to push the brewing envelope because I almost always love the result. Allagash is a national treasure.
★ 2,763 characters
4.33/5 rDev +3.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
I purchased a bottle of 2006 Interlude at Downtown Wine & Spirits several months ago. It's been sitting in my fridge ever since. I finally got around to opening it tonight. It comes in a corked and caged 750 mL bottle with a simple beige label. I let this warm to the 40s and served it in one of my Duvel tulip glasses.
Appearance: Pours a clear copper with a thick, creamy, off-white head that's fed by a massive quantity of bubbles. Retention is excellent, the head slowly fades to a persistent quarter-inch layer leaving lace that clings to the glass in thick patches. I can't think of a single thing wrong with the way this beer looks.
Smell: Initially the aromas are a mingling of fruit and Brettanomyces. I predominantly detect aromas of lemon and sour apple. There's also a nice earthy, grassy aroma. Swirling brings the earthiness to the fore along with, maybe, a hint of woodiness. I really love the Brett aromas in this one.
Taste: Lightly sweet upfront, before moving into a fruity, lemony sourness, which maintains its presence through to the finish. The center is dominated by sourness with some vinous characters making an appearance as well. The finish is funky and earthy with a nice grassy quality from the hops. The sourness and hops create a finish that is sour and mildly bitter. Both bitterness and sourness last well into the aftertaste where they're met by a spicy warming sensation. Pouring the yeast into the glass makes the finish a bit funkier.
Mouthfeel: Light-to-medium-bodied, with moderate carbonation, with a nice mildly dry finish. Honestly it feels a bit thin to me, perhaps a little more carbonation would help. Decanting the yeast helps.
Drinkability: Very flavorful with nice sour and funky flavors that aren't overpowering. The alcohol is very well hidden.
Overall: This seems like a stronger, fruitier and more sour Orval. I really, really like beers that use Brettanomyces, so take the ratings with a grain of salt.
★ 1,974 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
I purchased a bottle of 2006 Interlude at Downtown Wine & Spirits several months ago. It's been sitting in my fridge ever since. I finally got around to opening it tonight. It comes in a corked and caged 750 mL bottle with a simple beige label. I let this warm to the 40s and served it in one of my Duvel tulip glasses.
Appearance: Pours a clear copper with a thick, creamy, off-white head that's fed by a massive quantity of bubbles. Retention is excellent, the head slowly fades to a persistent quarter-inch layer leaving lace that clings to the glass in thick patches. I can't think of a single thing wrong with the way this beer looks.
Smell: Initially the aromas are a mingling of fruit and Brettanomyces. I predominantly detect aromas of lemon and sour apple. There's also a nice earthy, grassy aroma. Swirling brings the earthiness to the fore along with, maybe, a hint of woodiness. I really love the Brett aromas in this one.
Taste: Lightly sweet upfront, before moving into a fruity, lemony sourness, which maintains its presence through to the finish. The center is dominated by sourness with some vinous characters making an appearance as well. The finish is funky and earthy with a nice grassy quality from the hops. The sourness and hops create a finish that is sour and mildly bitter. Both bitterness and sourness last well into the aftertaste where they're met by a spicy warming sensation. Pouring the yeast into the glass makes the finish a bit funkier.
Mouthfeel: Light-to-medium-bodied, with moderate carbonation, with a nice mildly dry finish. Honestly it feels a bit thin to me, perhaps a little more carbonation would help. Decanting the yeast helps.
Drinkability: Very flavorful with nice sour and funky flavors that aren't overpowering. The alcohol is very well hidden.
Overall: This seems like a stronger, fruitier and more sour Orval. I really, really like beers that use Brettanomyces, so take the ratings with a grain of salt.
★ 1,974 characters
4/5 rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Purchased in a whiskey-sized bottle (750mL), this was sealed with a champagne-style cage-thingy and a champagne cork. Very classy. Strangely enough, we were able to seal it up once immediately after pouring it, but after a second pour, we were unable to put the cork back in. So, we had to finish the entire bottle... too bad. :)
This pours a nice orange with a nice, big head, which dissipates into a nice, tight lacing around the glass. It was poured into a Tripel Karmeliet glass, because the bottle suggested to be "poured slowly into large open-mouthed glass).
The smell is quite complex with notes of sweet, and some flora.
The taste is just as complex; a bit sour with some grapefruit and another unidentifiable spice. A bit boozy, as identified by the 9.5% abv listed on the bottle. The first sip goes down and burns a bit, as it is whiskey smooth.
The mouthfeel is very smooth. Highly carbonated yet tame.
Definitely drinkable, but as we found out after polishing off the bottle, it will put you in your place with its alcohol content.
Definitely try this one. Fancy enough for wine drinkers, but beer enough for beer drinkers.
★ 1,155 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Purchased in a whiskey-sized bottle (750mL), this was sealed with a champagne-style cage-thingy and a champagne cork. Very classy. Strangely enough, we were able to seal it up once immediately after pouring it, but after a second pour, we were unable to put the cork back in. So, we had to finish the entire bottle... too bad. :)
This pours a nice orange with a nice, big head, which dissipates into a nice, tight lacing around the glass. It was poured into a Tripel Karmeliet glass, because the bottle suggested to be "poured slowly into large open-mouthed glass).
The smell is quite complex with notes of sweet, and some flora.
The taste is just as complex; a bit sour with some grapefruit and another unidentifiable spice. A bit boozy, as identified by the 9.5% abv listed on the bottle. The first sip goes down and burns a bit, as it is whiskey smooth.
The mouthfeel is very smooth. Highly carbonated yet tame.
Definitely drinkable, but as we found out after polishing off the bottle, it will put you in your place with its alcohol content.
Definitely try this one. Fancy enough for wine drinkers, but beer enough for beer drinkers.
★ 1,155 characters
4.2/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
750ml. Bottle
$13.99
Sam's Downers Grove
January 2007 Bottling
Interlude poured a hazy copper that glowed orange when held to the light. A 1 finger white head formed on the pour that faded to a thin cap with chunky edges. Minimal slow rising carbonation bubbles. Leaves chunky drink lines after each sip.
Scent begins with goldenrod and that barnyard funkiness. Mild tart cherries and a touch of lemony citrus. Maybe it's my imagination but when I take deep whiffs I pick up mild oak. Very complex aromas that I've only scratched the surface on.
The flavor is more complex than the aroma. Things begin with a slight lemon rind bitterness. Mid palate I get hit with a wave of that funkiness along with hay. Mild citric flavors come through toward the end finishing up with orange rind and a solid hop snap on the swallow. Again, I've only scratched the surface on the complexity of flavors.
Lighter body with a slight stickinesson the tongue. Mild alcohol on the swallow as this beer warms.
The flavor makes this an easy drinker but the complex flavors will wear out the tastebuds.
A truly complex beer with a great idea behind it. I'm looking forward to trying Allagash's other special releases. A really great concept behind this beer that I look forward to drinking again.
★ 1,297 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
750ml. Bottle
$13.99
Sam's Downers Grove
January 2007 Bottling
Interlude poured a hazy copper that glowed orange when held to the light. A 1 finger white head formed on the pour that faded to a thin cap with chunky edges. Minimal slow rising carbonation bubbles. Leaves chunky drink lines after each sip.
Scent begins with goldenrod and that barnyard funkiness. Mild tart cherries and a touch of lemony citrus. Maybe it's my imagination but when I take deep whiffs I pick up mild oak. Very complex aromas that I've only scratched the surface on.
The flavor is more complex than the aroma. Things begin with a slight lemon rind bitterness. Mid palate I get hit with a wave of that funkiness along with hay. Mild citric flavors come through toward the end finishing up with orange rind and a solid hop snap on the swallow. Again, I've only scratched the surface on the complexity of flavors.
Lighter body with a slight stickinesson the tongue. Mild alcohol on the swallow as this beer warms.
The flavor makes this an easy drinker but the complex flavors will wear out the tastebuds.
A truly complex beer with a great idea behind it. I'm looking forward to trying Allagash's other special releases. A really great concept behind this beer that I look forward to drinking again.
★ 1,297 characters
3.5/5 rDev -16.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
750mL bottle, corked and caged, into a stein.
cloudy deep orange amber with a thick foamy layer of off-white head that leaves pieces of lace.
aroma is slightly tart, slightly barny, slightly sour, slightly fruity. decent, but it's all a bit reserved. notes of lemon, yeast, honey, and apples.
drinks fairly easily, with a slight woodiness and a medium carbonation. funky, slightly fruity, and with a sour, woody finish. for its impressive pedigree, it's got a fairly reserved character; for the price, i'd much prefer a more assertive nature all around.
★ 562 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
750mL bottle, corked and caged, into a stein.
cloudy deep orange amber with a thick foamy layer of off-white head that leaves pieces of lace.
aroma is slightly tart, slightly barny, slightly sour, slightly fruity. decent, but it's all a bit reserved. notes of lemon, yeast, honey, and apples.
drinks fairly easily, with a slight woodiness and a medium carbonation. funky, slightly fruity, and with a sour, woody finish. for its impressive pedigree, it's got a fairly reserved character; for the price, i'd much prefer a more assertive nature all around.
★ 562 characters
4.43/5 rDev +5.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5
750mL bottle from Brawley's...'05 Version
Ah, my first review in several months, lets see if the senses have their thinking caps on.
Pours an orange copper body with a milky white whipped cream head. Head slowly dissipates to but a thin film above the body. Tiny bubbles take their time rising to the top. Looks majestic in my St. Bernardus chalice, although i'm sure I could take a piss in it and still think it looks amazing.
Sweet, fruity notes initially, followed by some obvious oak, and a leeetle bit of alcohol. Smells tart, almost funky like a saison or geuze.
Wonderful sweet, tart flavor up front that defibrilates your tongue. Light notes of oak and, like the aroma, a bit of alcohol but it's barely noticable. Finishes dry, while the aftertaste is orangepeel bitter. The flavor in this beer is outstanding.
Light-Medium bodied finishes dry with a wonderful aftertaste. Easy drinking as can be for a 9.5% beer. Was it worth what I paid? Yes, definitely, but I can't afford the 16.99 I spent on it.
★ 1,025 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5
750mL bottle from Brawley's...'05 Version
Ah, my first review in several months, lets see if the senses have their thinking caps on.
Pours an orange copper body with a milky white whipped cream head. Head slowly dissipates to but a thin film above the body. Tiny bubbles take their time rising to the top. Looks majestic in my St. Bernardus chalice, although i'm sure I could take a piss in it and still think it looks amazing.
Sweet, fruity notes initially, followed by some obvious oak, and a leeetle bit of alcohol. Smells tart, almost funky like a saison or geuze.
Wonderful sweet, tart flavor up front that defibrilates your tongue. Light notes of oak and, like the aroma, a bit of alcohol but it's barely noticable. Finishes dry, while the aftertaste is orangepeel bitter. The flavor in this beer is outstanding.
Light-Medium bodied finishes dry with a wonderful aftertaste. Easy drinking as can be for a 9.5% beer. Was it worth what I paid? Yes, definitely, but I can't afford the 16.99 I spent on it.
★ 1,025 characters
4.5/5 rDev +7.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Very few beers deliver on the promise of the lable, nor the hype. This beer exceeds all expectations. Though I'm not sure about the Belgian Strong Pale characterization, the beer is great at any style. Distinctly Belgian aromas (tartness and sourness) with a musty, farmhouse astringent that challenges the tastebuds. The challenge of the brew stops short of agression or harsh, instead tempered with aged hops, oak barrels and a complex vineous roundness. The beer is well matured and balanced offering rich, over-rippened pineapples, peaches and pears for sweetness. The alcohols are well woven into the fruity, spiciness with merged with nuttiness, oakiness, and strong berry tartness. This is one of the better beers sampled in quite some time, and just in time for the spring season.
★ 788 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Very few beers deliver on the promise of the lable, nor the hype. This beer exceeds all expectations. Though I'm not sure about the Belgian Strong Pale characterization, the beer is great at any style. Distinctly Belgian aromas (tartness and sourness) with a musty, farmhouse astringent that challenges the tastebuds. The challenge of the brew stops short of agression or harsh, instead tempered with aged hops, oak barrels and a complex vineous roundness. The beer is well matured and balanced offering rich, over-rippened pineapples, peaches and pears for sweetness. The alcohols are well woven into the fruity, spiciness with merged with nuttiness, oakiness, and strong berry tartness. This is one of the better beers sampled in quite some time, and just in time for the spring season.
★ 788 characters
3.87/5 rDev -7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
A - Clear rich golden color with a medium sized foamy head and a delicate ring of lacing.
S - Very funky. Horse blanket, strawberries, musty lemon, white peaches. Very good saison aroma.
T - The flavor has an upfront musty lemon and horse blanket flavor with some faint caramel malt and white pepper underneath that both linger through to the aftertaste where the horse blanket becomes dominant. A faint warming alcohol says just enough to make its presence known. A bit of mild nutmeg throughout and . . . egg white? in the aftertaste are detectable with some effort to ascertain the complex flavors underneath the dominate ones. Not a hint of sweetness. A pretty good flavor, but it doesn't impress me in anyway.
M - Harsh from high carbonation, level of champagne. Medium bodied and pretty refreshing.
D - Good. It is easy to drink, I had no difficulty finishing the fifth alone. Absurdly pricey. I would have to say it is not worth the $20 it cost me. Maybe for a special occasion - like if I am having dinner with several beer aficiandos and a saison would go perfectly, then it might be worth that much, but it is still overpriced (maybe it actually costs a lot to manufacture, but in that case the product return is fairly mediocre). Sure it is a good beer, but you can do better in the style. Worth a try if you can afford it.
★ 1,346 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
A - Clear rich golden color with a medium sized foamy head and a delicate ring of lacing.
S - Very funky. Horse blanket, strawberries, musty lemon, white peaches. Very good saison aroma.
T - The flavor has an upfront musty lemon and horse blanket flavor with some faint caramel malt and white pepper underneath that both linger through to the aftertaste where the horse blanket becomes dominant. A faint warming alcohol says just enough to make its presence known. A bit of mild nutmeg throughout and . . . egg white? in the aftertaste are detectable with some effort to ascertain the complex flavors underneath the dominate ones. Not a hint of sweetness. A pretty good flavor, but it doesn't impress me in anyway.
M - Harsh from high carbonation, level of champagne. Medium bodied and pretty refreshing.
D - Good. It is easy to drink, I had no difficulty finishing the fifth alone. Absurdly pricey. I would have to say it is not worth the $20 it cost me. Maybe for a special occasion - like if I am having dinner with several beer aficiandos and a saison would go perfectly, then it might be worth that much, but it is still overpriced (maybe it actually costs a lot to manufacture, but in that case the product return is fairly mediocre). Sure it is a good beer, but you can do better in the style. Worth a try if you can afford it.
★ 1,346 characters
4.82/5 rDev +15%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
A- Thick off white head on a clear darker orange body.
S- A huge complexity in the nose right away. Light oak, almost a white wine aroma, little bit of funk to it, light sour notes, hints of alcohol that tingle the nose just a little, and just such a big blend of other aromas that you just can't pick out.
T- The wine flavors do come through. Almost more a white wine flavor. Oak can come through too. Light warming from alcohol in back of throat. Yeast comes through, light fruits like orange, very light hints of some kind of funk, light bitterness is left on the tongue from a mixture of grass and light earthy hops. There is just so much to this beer that I don't think I can pick out each flavor. It is very complex and nothing is over powering.
M-Medium body with light champagne like carbonation.
D- I think this beer is great and gets better the more you drink of it and the more flavors you can figure out. I don't think this is just a relaxing beer to have that you could drink every day but it is a great special treat and one you would want to sit down and think about. I think I would pay the money for it again but it wouldn't be a lot.
★ 1,158 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
A- Thick off white head on a clear darker orange body.
S- A huge complexity in the nose right away. Light oak, almost a white wine aroma, little bit of funk to it, light sour notes, hints of alcohol that tingle the nose just a little, and just such a big blend of other aromas that you just can't pick out.
T- The wine flavors do come through. Almost more a white wine flavor. Oak can come through too. Light warming from alcohol in back of throat. Yeast comes through, light fruits like orange, very light hints of some kind of funk, light bitterness is left on the tongue from a mixture of grass and light earthy hops. There is just so much to this beer that I don't think I can pick out each flavor. It is very complex and nothing is over powering.
M-Medium body with light champagne like carbonation.
D- I think this beer is great and gets better the more you drink of it and the more flavors you can figure out. I don't think this is just a relaxing beer to have that you could drink every day but it is a great special treat and one you would want to sit down and think about. I think I would pay the money for it again but it wouldn't be a lot.
★ 1,158 characters
4.97/5 rDev +18.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Poured into a chalice it forms a thin white head above an orange body. Fine carbonation sticks to the side of the glass.
Nice!! that was my first thought. Second was that I feel like I've tasted a beer with similar characteristics. Orval. It has alot of the belgian pale ale hit points and then jacks it up with some wild type yeast that brightens the day. A light fruitiness is spiced into submission only to have a wild and vinous (sour) backside. Extremely complex and as it warms there is wooded, dry type feeling to it. Awesome.
Notes: My favorite from Allagash and one of my favorite of all time. Price tag is worth every penny.
★ 640 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Poured into a chalice it forms a thin white head above an orange body. Fine carbonation sticks to the side of the glass.
Nice!! that was my first thought. Second was that I feel like I've tasted a beer with similar characteristics. Orval. It has alot of the belgian pale ale hit points and then jacks it up with some wild type yeast that brightens the day. A light fruitiness is spiced into submission only to have a wild and vinous (sour) backside. Extremely complex and as it warms there is wooded, dry type feeling to it. Awesome.
Notes: My favorite from Allagash and one of my favorite of all time. Price tag is worth every penny.
★ 640 characters
4.05/5 rDev -3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Very complex and interesting beer from Allagash.
Fermented first with a farmhouse yeast and then a secondary with brett. The part I can't beleive is that it then goes through FIVE additional fermentations in oak Syrah and Merlot bbls! Then it's bottle conditioned! Now that is craftmanship.
Pours a beautiful orange/copper color with a one finger white head.
Citrusy, floral hop aromas. Fruity, funky, earthy, wild barnyard. Winey notes as well. More white than red. Spicey, peppery.
Taste is tart, sour, oakey, earthy vanilla with some peppery character possibly from the Syrah bbls. Also had a taste profile closer to a white wine than a red, strangely enough.
I couldn't drink too much of this but it was an absolute delight.
★ 741 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Very complex and interesting beer from Allagash.
Fermented first with a farmhouse yeast and then a secondary with brett. The part I can't beleive is that it then goes through FIVE additional fermentations in oak Syrah and Merlot bbls! Then it's bottle conditioned! Now that is craftmanship.
Pours a beautiful orange/copper color with a one finger white head.
Citrusy, floral hop aromas. Fruity, funky, earthy, wild barnyard. Winey notes as well. More white than red. Spicey, peppery.
Taste is tart, sour, oakey, earthy vanilla with some peppery character possibly from the Syrah bbls. Also had a taste profile closer to a white wine than a red, strangely enough.
I couldn't drink too much of this but it was an absolute delight.
★ 741 characters
4.35/5 rDev +3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours out a dark honey orange with very little white suds but the lacing is very prominent.
You can smell this as soon as you pour it to the tulip glass. Wonderful spice and fruitiness. Lemon plegde with a caramel aroma.Oak smell makes it seem like it is going to be really sour.
The taste while a little sour, still has a sweetness that probably comes from the 9.5% abv. This is one step ahead(well ahead) of the Petrus oak. This sucker cost me more than 30 bucks to get here to Kentucky. I ordered it from San Diego. I wish I knew more about this style. I am loving this flavor.
Mouthfeel is very clean and refreshing. The oak bitterness just makes you salivate and want another drink.
If I could get this at a decent price and it was available I would consider this a great session beer. The high ABV(which is very well hidden) might scare some off. Great brew here.
★ 873 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours out a dark honey orange with very little white suds but the lacing is very prominent.
You can smell this as soon as you pour it to the tulip glass. Wonderful spice and fruitiness. Lemon plegde with a caramel aroma.Oak smell makes it seem like it is going to be really sour.
The taste while a little sour, still has a sweetness that probably comes from the 9.5% abv. This is one step ahead(well ahead) of the Petrus oak. This sucker cost me more than 30 bucks to get here to Kentucky. I ordered it from San Diego. I wish I knew more about this style. I am loving this flavor.
Mouthfeel is very clean and refreshing. The oak bitterness just makes you salivate and want another drink.
If I could get this at a decent price and it was available I would consider this a great session beer. The high ABV(which is very well hidden) might scare some off. Great brew here.
★ 873 characters
4.07/5 rDev -2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Honey wheat colored body is a little darker than expected from the style. It yields a little more light twords the bottom of the glass. Off white head at three fingers is fluffy, and leaves nice lace. Invigorating spicey nose really penatrates the senses and opens the eyes. Includes hints of apple and peppery spice. Enters the mouth with a sharp fresh fruit with a large dose of spicey tongue tingle. There is a lot going on with the palate, very complex with nice layers. Nicely hidden alchol. Good balance overall. Mouthfeel is souredsweet and long. Very drinkably good. This beer is very good but not worth its almost 20 dollar price tag.
★ 643 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Honey wheat colored body is a little darker than expected from the style. It yields a little more light twords the bottom of the glass. Off white head at three fingers is fluffy, and leaves nice lace. Invigorating spicey nose really penatrates the senses and opens the eyes. Includes hints of apple and peppery spice. Enters the mouth with a sharp fresh fruit with a large dose of spicey tongue tingle. There is a lot going on with the palate, very complex with nice layers. Nicely hidden alchol. Good balance overall. Mouthfeel is souredsweet and long. Very drinkably good. This beer is very good but not worth its almost 20 dollar price tag.
★ 643 characters
4.3/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
750ml corked & caged. 2006 Vintage.
Pours a hazy, orange-light brown color. Modest, creamy ivory head. Streaming bubbles.
Aroma is Belgian by birth or inspiration. Funky and yeasty. Citrus and floral wind through there as well. Spices, maybe clove and coriander. As far as wine aroma goes, it struck me as more like a white than a red.
Taste, well, wow, this is a trip! Up front, mainly citrus. Sweet in middle and in the aftertaste, fruit-like. Wine notes, a light red, just there, again almost more in the aftertaste. Some bittering at finish, floral and grassy. I am not doing this beer any justice at all. It is very good, and my palate is simply too inexperienced to explain it very well.
Taste started as light, but moved to medium as it warmed and some of the carbonation subsided. Huge and bubbly, almost champagne like. I didn't expect this as the opening pop was fairly muted, and the head was relatively small. Nice and dry. Alcohol warming starts to take effect early. Body reminds me just a bit of Duvel.
Economics. At around $20/750ml, many will ask is it worth it? My opinion is yes. A champagne like mouthfeel and an incredibly complex taste you have to work to figure out. This is not an every day beer, but it is certainly one I will revisit a couple times a year. Bet it would be great with sushi.
★ 1,331 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
750ml corked & caged. 2006 Vintage.
Pours a hazy, orange-light brown color. Modest, creamy ivory head. Streaming bubbles.
Aroma is Belgian by birth or inspiration. Funky and yeasty. Citrus and floral wind through there as well. Spices, maybe clove and coriander. As far as wine aroma goes, it struck me as more like a white than a red.
Taste, well, wow, this is a trip! Up front, mainly citrus. Sweet in middle and in the aftertaste, fruit-like. Wine notes, a light red, just there, again almost more in the aftertaste. Some bittering at finish, floral and grassy. I am not doing this beer any justice at all. It is very good, and my palate is simply too inexperienced to explain it very well.
Taste started as light, but moved to medium as it warmed and some of the carbonation subsided. Huge and bubbly, almost champagne like. I didn't expect this as the opening pop was fairly muted, and the head was relatively small. Nice and dry. Alcohol warming starts to take effect early. Body reminds me just a bit of Duvel.
Economics. At around $20/750ml, many will ask is it worth it? My opinion is yes. A champagne like mouthfeel and an incredibly complex taste you have to work to figure out. This is not an every day beer, but it is certainly one I will revisit a couple times a year. Bet it would be great with sushi.
★ 1,331 characters
3.47/5 rDev -17.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Appeared a yellow-hay color with a big frothy white head. Semi-murky with some nice lacing left behind. Aromas of yeast, pines, honey, and passion fruit; very interesting. The taste was bold with brett flavors working seemlessly with unique fruits. Clean and a touch of spice. Very flavorful and exciting with so many things going on. An excellent beer.
★ 353 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Appeared a yellow-hay color with a big frothy white head. Semi-murky with some nice lacing left behind. Aromas of yeast, pines, honey, and passion fruit; very interesting. The taste was bold with brett flavors working seemlessly with unique fruits. Clean and a touch of spice. Very flavorful and exciting with so many things going on. An excellent beer.
★ 353 characters
4.57/5 rDev +9.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
2006 edition.
Pours a glowing amber color with a few streams of slow moving carbonation. The head is smallish but has very good retention and leaves thick streams of lace on the glass. The aroma abounds with brett; sweet, sour, herbal, leathery, horsey. There is also some delicate oak and biscuity malt in the nose. The taste is of melons, citrus and pears, with a noticeable sourness (from the brett no doubt) and a subtle oaky character. It may just be my imagination, but I have always enjoyed beers aged in wine barrels more than whiskey or bourbon barrels, the oak is subtler and you pick up more tannins. The mouthfeel is light and softly carbonated with a bit of alcohol numb. The finish is slightly sour, fruity and sweet. Very nice. Hops are pretty subdued throughout.
This beer reminded me a lot of Orval, no doubt because of the yeast used. Its very complex and dry. Very light and easy to drink for its ABV as well.
★ 934 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
2006 edition.
Pours a glowing amber color with a few streams of slow moving carbonation. The head is smallish but has very good retention and leaves thick streams of lace on the glass. The aroma abounds with brett; sweet, sour, herbal, leathery, horsey. There is also some delicate oak and biscuity malt in the nose. The taste is of melons, citrus and pears, with a noticeable sourness (from the brett no doubt) and a subtle oaky character. It may just be my imagination, but I have always enjoyed beers aged in wine barrels more than whiskey or bourbon barrels, the oak is subtler and you pick up more tannins. The mouthfeel is light and softly carbonated with a bit of alcohol numb. The finish is slightly sour, fruity and sweet. Very nice. Hops are pretty subdued throughout.
This beer reminded me a lot of Orval, no doubt because of the yeast used. Its very complex and dry. Very light and easy to drink for its ABV as well.
★ 934 characters
Allagash Interlude from Allagash Brewing Company
4.19
out of 5
based on 1,357 ratings.
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
Bottle reads January 2007
Pours a deep honey orange color with a modest head that dissipates quicker than expected.
Nose has a complexity I can't quite put a handle on. Some sour notes along with awareness of alcohol.
Taste shows the sour nose with a fair amount of hop bitterness. Again, good, but not quite what I had expected.
Mouthfeel is the highpoint. Medium bodied with a nice degree of carbonation.
Drinkability is good, I'll have no problem finishing this 750. But for sour I'd prefer a Rodenbach Grand Cru, for a BSPA I still like Duvel or Don de Dieu, and for Allagash I still love Odyssey.
★ 616 characters