It’s no coincidence that I’m bringing up the rear of the Beer Geek reviews this week, considering I’ve felt about ten steps behind the waking world for days now. That’s what a bout of the good ol’ stomach flu will do to you. By the time last night rolled around, I was more than ready for a drink—and what a drink it was!
Our group joined the already full bar area a little late, so we opted for a nearby table instead. I will echo the sentiment about being disappointed about only two beers on tap, but the QuadRipple proved itself to be a worthy adversary. Granted, my nose might not have been in the greatest condition (especially after being within sniffing range of the hot curry mussels being devoured next to me) but I could not get the smell or taste of bubblegum out of my palate for the first few sips. After that, my taste buds quieted down (with no help from the snappy carbonation—at times it felt like I was drinking sparkling wine!) and I was able to enjoy the beer without getting that cloying, oversweet feel I get from most fruity Belgians.
As remarked upon by others, the ABV was pretty merciless. Thankfully, I got to sop up the impending loopiness with a large cone of frites, which TOTALLY beat the white bread and bananas I had been eating all week. Even though I didn’t get to directly commiserate with the other Hoosier Beer Geeks last night, I give the QuadRipple 3.5 mugs. I’d definitely order it again, especially when my taste buds are at full capacity.
Showing posts with label Quadripple. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Quadripple. Show all posts
19 March 2007
16 March 2007
Review by proxy - Brugge Brasserie's Quadripple
This is the first time that I think I'm late to the game in posting a review. But, being the last makes my job easy because everyone has basically said everything there is to be said. In addition, I have the benefit of having just received a review written by Mike, who, along with Gina, joined us once again. So, in lieu of a long-winded piece of prosaic art written by yours truly, here is Mike's first review ever for Hoosier Beer Geek (by the way, Quadripple gets 4 mugs from me):
Somewhere between the sort of reviews that the other folks write and "Man, I was so trashed last night" lies a sweet spot, where those of us who don't know hops from barley live. I'm going to attempt to write from that place, because I've really got no business writing about beer anyway.
Last night's feature beer was Brugge Brasserie's Quadripple. Can I remember what it taste like? Fruit, I think. Can I remember what it felt like? Well, sorta.
You see, I'm the type of person who needs a couple beers to loosen up enough to hold a conversation. While I realize that it's completely ridiculous, it seems to work. One of the great things about Brugge's beers (aside from being quite tasty) is that it only takes one to loosen me up. After my warm-up beer (The Black), I was ready to go; conversation flowed freely, my girlfriend smiled, and everything I said was funny and clever.
I don't remember any details of what I said, but the memories... well, they're some of the best I've ever had.
But maybe that's got something to do with the Quadripple. At 12% alcohol by volume, it does a fine job of making everything a little better. Even though it had a high alcohol content, the taste wasn't overpowering. I never would have known the beer was so strong had Jim not asked - though I did overhear Shannon (a Brugge waitress) mention that she could see Quadripple's work on the faces of patrons.
At the end of the night I had had plenty of good conversation, a lingering but pleasant taste in my mouth, and a nice mellow feeling. And I made it to work today without any problems. I think that's all you can ask of a beer. I'd give it 4 mugs.
Somewhere between the sort of reviews that the other folks write and "Man, I was so trashed last night" lies a sweet spot, where those of us who don't know hops from barley live. I'm going to attempt to write from that place, because I've really got no business writing about beer anyway.
Last night's feature beer was Brugge Brasserie's Quadripple. Can I remember what it taste like? Fruit, I think. Can I remember what it felt like? Well, sorta.
You see, I'm the type of person who needs a couple beers to loosen up enough to hold a conversation. While I realize that it's completely ridiculous, it seems to work. One of the great things about Brugge's beers (aside from being quite tasty) is that it only takes one to loosen me up. After my warm-up beer (The Black), I was ready to go; conversation flowed freely, my girlfriend smiled, and everything I said was funny and clever.
I don't remember any details of what I said, but the memories... well, they're some of the best I've ever had.
But maybe that's got something to do with the Quadripple. At 12% alcohol by volume, it does a fine job of making everything a little better. Even though it had a high alcohol content, the taste wasn't overpowering. I never would have known the beer was so strong had Jim not asked - though I did overhear Shannon (a Brugge waitress) mention that she could see Quadripple's work on the faces of patrons.
At the end of the night I had had plenty of good conversation, a lingering but pleasant taste in my mouth, and a nice mellow feeling. And I made it to work today without any problems. I think that's all you can ask of a beer. I'd give it 4 mugs.
The Quad @ Brugge
We had a nice turnout last night for Hoosier Beer Geeks at Brugge. Even though the bar was a little tight and it was hard to all talk together, it was nice to see all the old faces and some new ones! Plus, I'm such a sucker for a big, huge cone of the Brugge frites. On to the beer:
My taste buds were already up and running as I came over from the Twisted Oak tasting at The Upper Room. Christopher and Jim were already well into their warm ups. Disappointingly, there were only two beers on top -- The Black and The Quad. (What's up with that? That always makes me worried a place is failing. Based on the number of people in Brugge last night, it makes me think otherwise that it's just poor planning. Who knows. Maybe Ted has a secret beer strategy.) I ordered the Quad.
Let me begin by saying I'm a biased judge since I love Belgians -- beer that is. (I'm sure I'd love all Belgians if I knew more of them, but we're just sticking to beer here.) I love everything from light ales to the stinkiest, smelliest lambics. (When it comes to lambics, the smellier, the better.) And I think Ted Miller does a fine job with his Belgian-style brews. I can almost say I've never had a beer of his I didn't like -- although I've certainly had a few that were so rich, that you almost couldn't drink a whole glass of it. In the case of the Quad, that richness is there, but not so heavy that you can't make it through the glass. Like many Belgian style beers, it has a deceptively high alcohol content (13.5%) and while it has a fruit start and base, it doesn't finish with that heavy, rich, fruit taste. While Belgians don't tend to be overly hoppy or dry, many also don't have a cloyingly sweet aftertaste which makes them more drinkable long term than, say, your average hefeweisen. The Quad itself is a rich amber color without the hard, overly dry finish. Lots of grain and sweetness in the nose, gives way to a refreshing finish without a lot of heaviness. Pop in and check it out -- it's perfect for this time of year. And goes really well with fries. Four mugs for me!
My taste buds were already up and running as I came over from the Twisted Oak tasting at The Upper Room. Christopher and Jim were already well into their warm ups. Disappointingly, there were only two beers on top -- The Black and The Quad. (What's up with that? That always makes me worried a place is failing. Based on the number of people in Brugge last night, it makes me think otherwise that it's just poor planning. Who knows. Maybe Ted has a secret beer strategy.) I ordered the Quad.
Let me begin by saying I'm a biased judge since I love Belgians -- beer that is. (I'm sure I'd love all Belgians if I knew more of them, but we're just sticking to beer here.) I love everything from light ales to the stinkiest, smelliest lambics. (When it comes to lambics, the smellier, the better.) And I think Ted Miller does a fine job with his Belgian-style brews. I can almost say I've never had a beer of his I didn't like -- although I've certainly had a few that were so rich, that you almost couldn't drink a whole glass of it. In the case of the Quad, that richness is there, but not so heavy that you can't make it through the glass. Like many Belgian style beers, it has a deceptively high alcohol content (13.5%) and while it has a fruit start and base, it doesn't finish with that heavy, rich, fruit taste. While Belgians don't tend to be overly hoppy or dry, many also don't have a cloyingly sweet aftertaste which makes them more drinkable long term than, say, your average hefeweisen. The Quad itself is a rich amber color without the hard, overly dry finish. Lots of grain and sweetness in the nose, gives way to a refreshing finish without a lot of heaviness. Pop in and check it out -- it's perfect for this time of year. And goes really well with fries. Four mugs for me!
15 March 2007
4 Geeks on Quad Ripple
Four out of five Hoosier Beer Geeks (only Jason was absent) descended on Brugge in Broad Ripple tonight for the latest KOTBR. We realize that we've been spotty at best in reviewing and posting lately, and we apologize for that. We're trying to get a regular schedule going again.
Ted only had two beers on tap tonight - the saintly The Black and the QuadRipple. Since we reviewed The Black previously, we opted for the QuadRipple tonight.
As a lighter beer (I would have guessed a wheat beer at first glance), I was hesitant to try to QR at first. I opted to warm-up with The Black - one of only two beers I believe I have given 5 mugs to. Definitely in need of good beer tonight after a long week at work, The Black delivered on great taste.
But the QR definitely was a good beer, too. I couldn't pick out a nose (again, an ongoing problem of mine), but the first thing to hit me was the taste. It was very fruity, though not a fruit I first recognized. Jim compared it to our reviews of the Unibroue products, and the plum flavor the Trois Pistoles offered. I had to agree. The taste was of plum, though not overwhelming.
This was a heavily carbonated beer. Very sharp on the tongue, but easy enough to swallow. In fact, it may have been too easy to swallow. Into my second QR, I decided to inquire as to the ABV of the QR. Get this - 12%! 12%! That's the highest ABV rated beer we have reviewed here on HBG! And because of this high rating, you will be limited to only two servings. BE CAREFUL WITH THIS ONE!!
A really good beer. I have to give it 4 Mugs.
Ted only had two beers on tap tonight - the saintly The Black and the QuadRipple. Since we reviewed The Black previously, we opted for the QuadRipple tonight.
As a lighter beer (I would have guessed a wheat beer at first glance), I was hesitant to try to QR at first. I opted to warm-up with The Black - one of only two beers I believe I have given 5 mugs to. Definitely in need of good beer tonight after a long week at work, The Black delivered on great taste.
But the QR definitely was a good beer, too. I couldn't pick out a nose (again, an ongoing problem of mine), but the first thing to hit me was the taste. It was very fruity, though not a fruit I first recognized. Jim compared it to our reviews of the Unibroue products, and the plum flavor the Trois Pistoles offered. I had to agree. The taste was of plum, though not overwhelming.
This was a heavily carbonated beer. Very sharp on the tongue, but easy enough to swallow. In fact, it may have been too easy to swallow. Into my second QR, I decided to inquire as to the ABV of the QR. Get this - 12%! 12%! That's the highest ABV rated beer we have reviewed here on HBG! And because of this high rating, you will be limited to only two servings. BE CAREFUL WITH THIS ONE!!
A really good beer. I have to give it 4 Mugs.
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