Return of the Sun
Shaidzon Beer Co

4pk/16 Oz. Can from Grapes and Grains on 12/12/20 for $14.99. No freshness date to be found.

Pours a clear, medium copper with a smallish cream-colored head that rather quickly settles into lacing. Aroma of sweetness, leather, and black pepper. Just a hint of fusels suggests there is some danger inside, but not much. The body starts big and then thins out nicely and ends on the dry side, creamy all the way through. Flavor is pleasant and balanced, thankfully avoiding any roastiness, molasses, or raisininess that can make quads tiring. Great pepper, plum, and some cinnamon. Lingering finish begs another sip.

This is a wonderful, polished beer. I love that it stands apart from most Belgian-American quads in its approach, and the long, drying finish is impressive.

Musical equivalent: Kenny Burrell - Chitlins Con Carne

The color is almost aglow. It seems a bit light overall for the style, but definitely has some reddish hues going on. The head is tight and compact, but not long-lasting.

The smell is weak, no other way to say it. There isn't much inspiration to be found on the nose. Vaguely malty, a slight alcohol presence, not much else even when warmer. Hmmm...

The taste is mildly sweet, somewhat boozy, decent bitterness, but the only hint of fruitiness is a vaguely wine-like taste. Not getting the dark fruits experienced with other quads. There is a little banana and a bit of clove on the finish.

The mouthfeel is a bit thin for the style, although visually the beer clings like honey to the glass.

Overall, I think this is a quad that doesn't have quite enough quadness. That said, I actually like it, but I can't say it hits all the style markers well.

This Quad is perhaps the best local brew I have had. It is great when you can get a world class beer from a local brewery. I recommend you stop in and get it before it's gone.

 

Great brew. pours with little to no head though.

Not the biggest fan of Belgian Quads but this one was nice. I can appreciate the quality. Slightly raisiny sweetness, roasted, beautiful malty color, heavy. Be careful, 10%abv, sleeper cell