Collaborative Evil 09 - Double Blonde Action Ale
Speakeasy Ales & Lagers

 

Growler from WF Bowery beer room.

A- Pours a crystal clear, bright golden yellow with a brief 1 finger pure white small bubbled head that transforms into a thin skin. No lacing whatsoever. No bubbles/streamers whatsoever.

S- Sweet butterscotch grains, touch of bitterness, and eventually joined by rubbing alcohol.

T- Starts off with a the similar sweet butterscotchy malts. There is this vanilla buttery oaked note like a oaked chardonnay that I like, hint of clove, and then the inescapable alcohol flavor.

M- Medium-heavy bodied with very low carbonation, with a slight cloying feeling.

D- Interesting beer to be sure. It seems unclear what kind of beer this really is, but I love trying different styles/hybrids/innovations. It was a pleasure to try, but after this growler- I don't see myself seeking this one out.

(From notes - Edit: my notes show that this as 9.5%abv)

A - Clear, light golden/marigold yellow; thinner pure white head; eh retention and really no lacing

S - Yeasty, hoppy, biscuity, and a touch malty

T - Dry, really boozy, malty and some grain flavors come through, and back to a strong malt leaning

M - Thicker overall MF; touch of carbonation but fairly still

D - Not terrible, but this was heavy on the booze and a little random at points during the sample

Overall, this was packed with alcohol and it let you know about it. Not a great offering from Speakeasy, but not the worst brew I've ever had.

Saw this on-tap at Blue Palms. I believe this beer was brewed in collaboration with a number of breweries, with each one slightly tweaking the recipe. This is the Speakeasy version. The list at the bar called it a "double blonde" but the press release said they were all making a beer inspired by "Belgian Strong Pale Ale" so that's where I'm placing it.

Appearance - A nice deep copper color. Fairly clear. The head is quite white and nicely formed. Looks very nice.

Smell - Can really pick up some booze on this one. Lots of herbal hop bitterness as well. Smells quite potent.

Taste - "Hot mess" might be a good description. It is really quite herbal bitter. Very astringent, just dries the tongue out. The booze is quite noticeable. I have no idea what the ABV is since it wasn't listed, but it seemed strong. It had the heat of hard liquor, almost. Seemed warm in the mouth.

Mouthfeel - A tad on the light side. Some more body would have been nice to stand up to the flavors. Good carbonation.

Drinkability - Pretty low. Finished the glass out of pride, mostly. Just harsh.

This was not a very well balanced beer. Just strong and harsh with too much bitter and too much boozey strength. I get the "Evil" part, that's for sure. Speakeasy is not my favorite brewery, and it looks like collaborating didn't do them any favors.