Yep...agree 100% . That Belgian freeze is very good.
Belgian beer shootout thread
- Thread starter Jeremy
- Start date
Yep...agree 100% . That Belgian freeze is very good.
Hey Joe- Shoprite in Newton has it in 4-packs, and I'd be shocked if Byram doesn't have it too.
Not sure if it's too similar to the blue, but it is a very tasty beverage.
VelocityBoy
"Sleeveless Joe"
wonderturtle
Well-Known Member
typing this as I try the two head-to-head, sip-to-sip.
tough choice here.
they are both very good.
and pretty different...which makes it hard to choose.
the Allagash tastes like a stout to me. the base is the typical coffee/stout thing. perhaps lighter or more "effervescent" than a typical stout (which I assume to the Belgium influence.
the Chimnay Blue is harder to explain
since they are pretty different but both very yummy I am going to boil it down to one, simple criterion.....if I was to have a third beer tonight, which one it be.
my choice: Allagash Black
tough choice here.
they are both very good.
and pretty different...which makes it hard to choose.
the Allagash tastes like a stout to me. the base is the typical coffee/stout thing. perhaps lighter or more "effervescent" than a typical stout (which I assume to the Belgium influence.
the Chimnay Blue is harder to explain
since they are pretty different but both very yummy I am going to boil it down to one, simple criterion.....if I was to have a third beer tonight, which one it be.
my choice: Allagash Black
VelocityBoy
"Sleeveless Joe"
Like the previous pairing (actually, the previous two pairings), I lliked both.
The Allagash Black* had more roasted top notes with a slightly bitter second impression.
The Chimay Blue was more complex; spicy and sweet.
Gotta go with the Chimay Blue.
* found at Heights Beer & Wine Emporium, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ
great selection!
The Allagash Black* had more roasted top notes with a slightly bitter second impression.
The Chimay Blue was more complex; spicy and sweet.
Gotta go with the Chimay Blue.
* found at Heights Beer & Wine Emporium, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ
great selection!
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Shaggz
A strong 7
The Bard & I are way behind, and finally tasted Round 1 this past Friday.
We both preferred the Verbotten to the LaChouffe. Found the LaChouffe to be thin and the Verbotten had more complex flavors. I had the LaChouffe before and was surprised at how lackluster it tasted next to the Verbotten. Maybe it was an off bottle?
Technically, I think round 1 is a 4-4 tie, but I guess our votes don't really count since we missed the deadline.
Not that it matters, but we can not find the Karmellet, although I would really like to try it. Hopefully the Bard picks up the next round so we can get in step...
We both preferred the Verbotten to the LaChouffe. Found the LaChouffe to be thin and the Verbotten had more complex flavors. I had the LaChouffe before and was surprised at how lackluster it tasted next to the Verbotten. Maybe it was an off bottle?
Technically, I think round 1 is a 4-4 tie, but I guess our votes don't really count since we missed the deadline.
Not that it matters, but we can not find the Karmellet, although I would really like to try it. Hopefully the Bard picks up the next round so we can get in step...
Black & Blue
Allagash Black v Chimay Blue
Tried these with some pulled pork last night.
So it's hard to compare them head to head since they are quite different beasts.
Both are awesome, so my vote really just boils down to which I was more in the mood for-
(I thought about voting Chimay because the bottle was bigger)
But I'll go with Allagash, roasted malts and chocolate notes just hit right with the cold weather.
Chimay was classic Chimay profile, nice and bready and sweet.
I was in Portland before Christmas, but missed the tour of the brewery (it's free, but you have to reserve). Friends who made it said it was great- of the hour tour,
15 minutes was tour, the rest was sampling their special reserves that don't see distribution. On the to-do list for next time.
Allagash Black v Chimay Blue
Tried these with some pulled pork last night.
So it's hard to compare them head to head since they are quite different beasts.
Both are awesome, so my vote really just boils down to which I was more in the mood for-
(I thought about voting Chimay because the bottle was bigger)
But I'll go with Allagash, roasted malts and chocolate notes just hit right with the cold weather.
Chimay was classic Chimay profile, nice and bready and sweet.
I was in Portland before Christmas, but missed the tour of the brewery (it's free, but you have to reserve). Friends who made it said it was great- of the hour tour,
15 minutes was tour, the rest was sampling their special reserves that don't see distribution. On the to-do list for next time.
presented this week's entries to a wine specialist -
we drank them separately, over a wide temp range. small wine glasses - took about an hour each.
the chimay was able to provide more flavor, and a better feel in the mouth over the whole range. it is what i think about when someone says belgium. the allagash provided more flavor out of the fridge - choc & caramels - but that is probably below the intended temp for the chimay. allagash felt thin as it warmed, and the flavors muddled.
both are great beers - i should note that there was only one black left at the liquor locker in flemington - all other allagash were fully stocked 🙂 if only we could manipulate the market that way!
anyway, if i can include an external vote
+2 chimay
we drank them separately, over a wide temp range. small wine glasses - took about an hour each.
the chimay was able to provide more flavor, and a better feel in the mouth over the whole range. it is what i think about when someone says belgium. the allagash provided more flavor out of the fridge - choc & caramels - but that is probably below the intended temp for the chimay. allagash felt thin as it warmed, and the flavors muddled.
both are great beers - i should note that there was only one black left at the liquor locker in flemington - all other allagash were fully stocked 🙂 if only we could manipulate the market that way!
anyway, if i can include an external vote
+2 chimay
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Shaggz
A strong 7
Did you smoke that? Looks like nice bark for indoor cooking.Tried these with some pulled pork last night.
Yup on the smoke- the only way to do BBQ.
12 hours on the smoker, but with the wind/cold, keeping the temp up in the smoker was tough, so I finished it with 4 hours in a 225* oven (wrapped in foil).
After hitting 140* internal temp, the meat stops taking the smoke anyway,
so no loss with the oven finish- just a small hit to the pride. 😉
Glenlivet12
Well-Known Member
I split these, again, with my father in law. We both agreed they were both really good but Allegash won.
The Chimay tasted like what I expected a darker Belgian to taste like but, it still tasted just like a Belgian. The flavor from the yeast was front and center and there was a bit of the malt flavor I'd expect from a darker beer but the spicey was from the yeast overpowered it. It was too generic for me in a "dark" category.
The Allegash black had that coffee note I expect from a stout but the phenolic spiciness I expect from a Belgian. It just seemed more well rounded to me.
I may be biased right now, I'm drinking a delicious mothers milk.
The Chimay tasted like what I expected a darker Belgian to taste like but, it still tasted just like a Belgian. The flavor from the yeast was front and center and there was a bit of the malt flavor I'd expect from a darker beer but the spicey was from the yeast overpowered it. It was too generic for me in a "dark" category.
The Allegash black had that coffee note I expect from a stout but the phenolic spiciness I expect from a Belgian. It just seemed more well rounded to me.
I may be biased right now, I'm drinking a delicious mothers milk.
If you like the Keegan's, try a Lancaster Brewery Milk Stout.
Just tried one, and for my money it's got a fuller body and better balance.
Very tasty.
Shaggz
A strong 7
I use a kettle grill for pulled pork, and always finish up in the oven - no shame in that. Saw dude man use a stout in the pan for oven finish, and I may try that after we thaw out.
Shaggz
A strong 7
DITTO, WE COULD NOT HAVE SAID IT BETTER.
Split Vote in Sparta:
Bard/Shaggs: It is not a vote against the Chimay/Allagash, but if I/I were to grab a third beer, it would be the Allagash/Chimay.
Glenlivet12
Well-Known Member
DuPont is one of my favorites!
Sorry for slacking. Shit happens though.
Cool to see a good turnout for the last one. Those were 2 killer beers and I hope everyone enjoyed them without feeling like they wasted $$$.
If my calculations are correct, the Allagash won 6-4.
I went with the Allagash myself. I enjoyed the coffee and chocolate hints that I got with it. The Chimay, while really enjoyable and hid its abv well, I just didn’t think its flavor was over the top. I don’t want to call it a generic Belgian ale taste, but that’s kind of what it was for me.
And next up are the Saisons. (French for season) They originated in the French speaking section of Belgium. These are some spicy brews with hint of fruit. Pretty much the norm in Belgian beers. These are more of a summer brew, so they are going to be a big departure from last week’s dark ales
First up the all time great Saison: Saison Dupont
And the US interpretation is the Lost Abby Red Barn Ale
Cool to see a good turnout for the last one. Those were 2 killer beers and I hope everyone enjoyed them without feeling like they wasted $$$.
If my calculations are correct, the Allagash won 6-4.
I went with the Allagash myself. I enjoyed the coffee and chocolate hints that I got with it. The Chimay, while really enjoyable and hid its abv well, I just didn’t think its flavor was over the top. I don’t want to call it a generic Belgian ale taste, but that’s kind of what it was for me.
And next up are the Saisons. (French for season) They originated in the French speaking section of Belgium. These are some spicy brews with hint of fruit. Pretty much the norm in Belgian beers. These are more of a summer brew, so they are going to be a big departure from last week’s dark ales
First up the all time great Saison: Saison Dupont
And the US interpretation is the Lost Abby Red Barn Ale