Troyalty Series #2: Dry-Hopped Belgian Strong Ale - Sorachi Ace
Brown's Brewing Company

 

Bottle purchased at Brown's Brewing Company in Troy, NY.

Pours a super hazy blonde, with a 2 inch head, and good lacing down the glass.

Smells include Belgian yeast, sugar, and some indistinguishable spicing.

The taste is similar, and a bit of a miss. Overload of fruity Belgian yeast esters, a weird sugary syrup flavor, some bubblegum, some indistinguishable spicing. Just bad, clashing flavors here. Nope.

Medium bodied, sticky syrupy sweet mouthfeel, not very drinkable. Some alcohol presence.

I like Brown's a lot, but this was a miss.

Bottle #182, bottled on 8-20-13. The Sorachi Ace has the white wax coat over the bottle cap. Poured in a snifter, the beer is a bright, pale, hazy, golden-blonde coloring with a frothy, sparse, white head that makes a solid ring on the surface. Good, steady, slow flow of carbonation throughout the body, and this one has some sediment floating around, as well. Aromas of Belgian funky notes forward, with bubble gum, cotton candy, coriander, mint, effervescent citrus notes of lemon and tangerine, and floral highlights. This one smells much more Belgian-esque than the Pacific Jade version. Flavors are a bit farmhouse on the forward tongue, with the fruity esthers blending with a nice blend of clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, coriander, and lemongrass. Bready backbone, with a solid ribbon of citrus flavors through it. Slight pepper spice build towards the end of the palate, with some buttery highlights and a fruitcake backbone. Tangy and spiced aftertaste on a light, slightly effervesced body. The finish is spiced fairly strong, yet clean after a slight linger. Very drinkable, with a feel more like a Belgian blonde, despite the increased ABV. Good beer.