Quad Goals
Holler Brewing Co.

poured from can into tulip, 1 finger light tan head, so so retention and good lacing. Ruby/Brown in the glass, little light passes thru. Slight Belgian esters on the nose, dark fruit, figs, prune and raisin peak thru. Sweet malt on the first sip gives way to caramel, fig, prune, baked bread, Belgian candy and a wisp of smoke, and finishes on the sweet side. A little more smoke or bitterness would have served this well. Either way it is 40 degrees out and this fit the bill. Alcohol peeks thru so this should help put me to bed :). The fact that the sweetness comes across as more on the caramel side, I am willing to live with it

 

This is a Quad that uses smoked dates from Feges BBQ.

A: Pours a dark brown/ruby red color. A one finger beige head forms with good retention. Sticky lace is left behind.
S: Fruity esters and dark fruits. Plums, figs, sweet caramel/dates. Baked bread and darker malts round it out.
T: Like the nose, tons of dark fruits. Figgy and plums, and dates. Which I find adds a unique sweetness, with just a hint of smoke. Darker malts and bread come into play. While enjoyable, the sweetness does become a bit strong in the finish.
M/O: A full body, with chewy malts and moderate carbonation. This becomes ultra smooth. A warming sipper that I can come back to.

There is a substantial amount of sweetness here, but the fruits and malt all help to balance somewhat. Its a pretty good example of the style, even if it becomes a little cloying. A good warmer, that I can only really have one of in a sitting. Though enough is going on to make me want to come back and have some more at a later time. Like always, well made from Holler.