Diplomatic Immunity
Conclave Brewing

 

 

Served in a 4oz taster at the brewery. Pours a not-quite-bright orange. Nose is typical for the style: bright, floral, with intermingling hops and Belgian yeast notes. The palate is true-to-form if unremarkable: flowery, citrus hops take the fore with a background of Belgian spice. Mouthfeel is appropriately middle-of-the-road and moderate in carbonation. This is a hard style for me to rate. While this beer is a great instantiation of the style, it's not one that I'm in love with. I perpetually find that I would rather be drinking a good IPA or a good Belgian rather than this unusual melange of the two. A good beer, and more importantly a strong BPA, but not a beer to which I'd return.

 

Picked up a growler from the brewery this afternoon. I've enjoyed what I have had from them so far.

This pale ale pours a hazy pale orange with a nice fluffy ecru colored head that retains well. Scent is full of orange peal, clove phenolics, and black pepper. Comes off as a hoppy witbier and saison mash up. So it may not be true to style in the aroma, but what's there is pleasant.

Clean flavor that features some honey like sweetness initially, then the citrus comes and goes while the beer finishes with a candy sugar impression that cleans up well with a mild pepper bite. Mouthfeel is on the lower side of medium with moderate carbonation.

Overall I enjoyed the beer. There is some hoppy flavors with just enough bitterness to keep things balanced. The belgian yeast influence is there without being overbearing. A good and balanced beer.