Four Scowling Owls
Karl Strauss Brewing Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pours a hazy orange with a foamy beige head that settles to a partial film on top of the beer. Small streaks of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, grain, clove, spice, and Belgian yeast aromas. Taste is much the same with malt, honey, fruit, and musty spice flavors on the finish. There is a mild amount of spice bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is an average beer with some solid aromas, but the flavors are very mellow and subdued compared to the aromas.

 

If you had given me a glass of this beer without telling me what it was I would have told you it was an IPA. Maybe some subtle citrus and spice notes not normally found in an IPA but still overall IPA in character. Nothing really wrong with it, but barely recognizable as a Triple.

 

 

 

Appearance: Bright with a great bubbly head.
Smell: Some spicy notes in the nose.
Taste: Mmmm. A lot going on here for me. Hops, spicy Belgian-ness, and really smooth on the finish. This beer is right up my alley.
Mouthfeel: Very smooth.
Drinkability: Yes, chilled, and all holiday season long if I’m lucky. Four Scowling Owls is on my current Short List of Favorite Beers.

Appearance = Gold, with a bright white head

Aroma = Smells spicy and peppery, with bubblegum undertones. Hints of citrus as well.

Taste = Get a lot more of the citrus/orange flavors in the taste. Still nice & peppery, has that signature Belgian spice. Easy drinking and very enjoyable.

Mouthfeel = medium-bodied, I’d say. Finish is dry and very warming. Quite pleasant.

Drinkability = Belgians are my favorite style & this is a really nice Tripel. Very warming – you sense the alcohol but in a soft lingering way. Aroma & flavors complement each other nicely. Awesome spicy kick, but not intense. I enjoyed the flavors more as the beer warmed up a tad…it got even better as I drank it. Overall very pleased with this spicy winter warmer, it was delicious & I’d definitely drink again.

 

Color is a darkish amber in the tall Saxo tulip with bubbles and a very attractive head. Like a lot of Karl Strauss brews, the malt is rich and sensuous. This has all the sweet strength of a Tripel, plus an excellent perfume of hops, and the xx. Aroma of spicy hops and yeast with pears.

For the record, the hops are Amarillo and Mount Rainier, and the IBUs are rated at 40. It is pretty hoppy for a Belgian style, but not really hoppy bitter. Some bitterness with the yeasty finish, along with the classic dry sensation. Dry appley note along with the malty warmth.

Only place I have seen this is at Bottlecraft in North Park. $11.25 for the 22 oz bottle, a big step up in price for KS. But I have to say it's almost worth it, and I'll be looking for a couple more to sip before before spring arrives.

Tlhis latest Holiday beer from Karl Strauss is poured into a large globe glass. Pours a nice golden with just a hint of haze and shows a rather fleeting cap of white foam, leaving behind some light lace and a sustainable light cap with some agitation regardless. Hint of amber aside of the light.

Aroma shows a light hop character with a slightly spicy citric character. Touch of tangelo of sorts with a bit of peppery spice. Belgian yeast notes are a bit too subdued initially though emerging somewhat with warming. Though still remaining light yet more filling over time; and with contiued warming becoming quite pleasant.

Taste is clean and simple with a bit of lemon on the finish. Nice carbonation is in order though the mouthfeel is a bit thin for the style and lacks the coarseness of texture I was hoping for. Warming again improves things but not so much as the aroma.

Let this beer warm up to 50 degrees or so to appreciate it, bit subdued at fridge temp.