Mandolin - Blue Mountain Brewery

metter98

New York

3.83/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at Thirsty Monk, Asheville, NC

A: The beer is clear amber-orange in color. It poured with a thin white head that died down, leaving a large patch of bubbles in the center of the glass and a collar around the edge; the head eventually completely faded away.
S: Light aromas of sweet malts are present in the nose along with notes of fruits.
T: The taste is rather similar to the smell and has a strong base of malts and candi sugars along with notes of fruits.
M: It feels a little more than medium-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: I liked the fruity flavors in this beer as it made the smell and taste a little more interesting. It also hides its alcohol rather well.

Serving type: on-tap

05-28-2013 12:11:38 | More by metter98

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

3.84/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Been holding this for a while after picking it up in NYC. Interesting tone to it. Seems to have a touch of Flemish character going on. Not sure if this is intentional as I have found others from this brewery (and the same format) exhibiting similar character. It works well here though. (In the others, less so.) Overall, a nice and easy drinker. I could go for this again; if it were cheaper.

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2013 03:42:59 | More by RblWthACoz

blackie

Virginia

3.68/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

chalice at the brewpub

a: served in a chalice at the brewpub, mandolin is a honey golden in color, with a bone white head showing light retention

s: pale and caramel malts create a malty sweet aroma, joined by yeast and associated spice, sweet pear and fruity esters, a nice dose of citric hops, candi sugar

m: carbonation rides the line between light and moderate, with a body around medium

t: pale malts and a good deal of caramel sweetness form the foundation, with a big yeasty flavor, some spicy output, sugary pear, candi sugar, grassy hops

o: a nice enough tripel - a touch rough around the edges but carrying some enjoyable aromas and flavors, maybe a little sweet for me, drinks well

Serving type: on-tap

04-11-2013 02:42:21 | More by blackie

Jadjunk

Georgia

3.73/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75

"A deep golden beer- born of a single malt. Balance derived from whole-flower hops. Created from water drawn deep beneath the feet of the world's oldest mountains. Flavor driven by a faithful dedication to excess. All brought to life by yeast from a holy place. Great beer is a riddle that does not need to be solved!" Brewed in the style of a Tripel. Spring 2012 release. Best by March 2013.

Poured from a 750ml bottle to a snifter. Served north of 49º Fahrenheit.

(Appearance) Pours a frothy creamy head of a copper cream tone that retains quite well over a deep copper body with a medium haze and moderate carbonation. A little darker than the average Tripel, the head quality is nice enough to warrant a pleasing score for this beer. Lacing is medium-thick and sticky, head thickens to a settled creamy froth. Pleasing appearance overall. 4.25

(Smell) Aromas are indicative of a tripel, citrusy and cidery fruit notes, a mild grassy hop character, a light bready yeast character with a moderate acidity. Balance is quite nice and the aroma is very bright and forward- there's plenty of apricot and pear to be found in the aroma and a pinch of complimentary spice, traces of coriander and pepper being the most prominent. 3.75

(Taste) Simple mild malt presence with a tart fruity character but more pepper and spice than fruit character. The beer finishes sweet and musty with a notable orange rind character for a distinct tart vegetal flavor. Much of the impression from the aroma doesn't carry over but it makes original in its own regard in the flavor. It may not be the most accessible take on a tripel that I've had, but it's quite a unique take on the style. 3.75

(Mouthfeel) Carbonation is very low with a mild thickness to the body and a dry, fuzzy finish. Body is medium+ for the style and medium+ overall. Alcohol presence is medium+, a little drawn out by the peppery spice character blend. I found the carbonation a little too lacking in the mouthfeel. 3.25

(Overall) Mandolin is a unique take on a popular Belgian style. Expect a slightly mustier character with peppery spiced notes amongst more familiar Belgian bread notes. Booze is expected, but a mustier flavor may either make or break how this beer is received. I found it a unique take on the style, but stacked against the remaining beers in the lineup, I don't see going out of my way to return to this beer. 3.75

Blue Mountain Barrel House's
Mandolin: An Artisanal Ale
3.73/5.00

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2013 20:40:06 | More by Jadjunk

AlexFields

Tennessee

3.33/5  rDev -12.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

Pours a pretty dark color similar to cherry wood, looks very dark for a tripel.

Nose is dominated by yeast, maybe a touch of funk, a bit of sweetness, don't get much else.

Taste is very different, big apple flavor, pretty malty. Not much like a traditional tripel, but this is pretty tasty.

6.7/10

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2013 12:38:48 | More by AlexFields

brentk56

North Carolina

3.83/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

"2" on the cork - this beer has been in my cellar for at least three years

Appearance: Pours a hazy copper color with a inch of foam that pancakes, raising large bubbles and leaving a film of lace

Smell: Caramel forward, with stone fruit, banana and honey elements

Taste: Caramel forward, with an herbal character that has fruity elements; in the middle, the honeyed sweetness builds though, after the swallow, there is a woodsy element to the beer with just a hint of mandarin orange in the finish

Mouthfeel: Medium to full body with moderate carbonation

Overall: Age has done this beer well, toning down the rough edges and blending the flavors; overly sweet for my palate, but I often find that to be the case with tripels

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 23:02:21 | More by brentk56

JayQue

Virginia

3.78/5  rDev -1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear light copper color with a small, fast-fading bubbly head from a 750 ml corked and caged bottle into my Chimay goblet. No lacing to speak of.

Mild smell of light fruit (apples and pears), a little hoppines but primarily Belgian yeast "funk"

The primary flavor is the yeasty funk with some pepper and possibly coriander as spices. There is a little sweet fruit here as well. This is a pretty tasty beer....don't really remind me of a Tripel. Some reviewers were calling it a Saison, which seems to be closer, especially because of the funky, earthy taste and aroma.

Mouthfeel is rich. The hoppiness and pepper andd a nice touch to the tongue. There is a little alcohol bite as well but it is well mannered. This is a fine light sipping beer.

I like this beer. Well crafted, if not a standard Tripel. More like an "American Saison" to me. Definitely worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2012 00:42:09 | More by JayQue

obywan59

Virginia

3.88/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a translucent orange to pale amber with a 2 finger tannish head that recedes quickly.

Sweet and fruity with subswtantial spiciness. Very nice.

Not as well rounded as the aroma, but pleasant. Light sweet malt with a bit of spice and some laid back alcohol and moderate bitterness.

Moderately light bodied. Not really sticky, but it clings nicely to the tongue. Some light carbonation is noticable, and there's a definite
warmth from the alcohol.

My experience is nowhere near comprehensive, but this is the best Virginia beer I've tried yet. It's attractive, smooth, and easy drinking.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2012 01:52:32 | More by obywan59

kylehay2004

Florida

3.5/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Enjoyed at the brewery. Review is from notes.

A: thin head on a clear bright but deep gold body. nice lacing

S: aroma is light with non-descript with fruits, yeast and pale malts.

T: malt forward tripel with candied orange, banana and spicey with sharp finish. grainy mustiness as well.

M: medium body and moderate carbonation.

Overall: Not quite "Belgian" enough for me for a good tripel.

Serving type: on-tap

07-27-2012 01:07:01 | More by kylehay2004

argock

Virginia

4.03/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 750 ml brown slender bottle into a Duvel tulip. Best by March 2013 on the cork. Purchased at Wine Warehouse (Charlottesville, VA) for $11.29.

A: A somewhat hazy dark amber with 1/2 finger of off-white head with decent retention and spotty lace.

S: A lot of light fruit like pear and apple with a semi-strong phenolic yeast presence with some wildness and funk to it, but nothing strong. There are also some caramel malty aromas but they are trumped by grapefruit and orange citrus.

T: A delicious beer that grows on you with a lot of sweet light fruity flavors up front but quickly replaced with earthy yeastiness and finished with floral and citrus hoppiness.

M: The feel is very smooth with medium body and creaminess imparted by the even carbonation. The finish is reasonably dry.

O: Not my favorite tripel but an interesting version with some earthy yeast character and sweetish light fruitiness finished with citrus hops. A great American tripel.

Serving type: bottle

07-18-2012 03:33:44 | More by argock

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

4/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Fireworks Pizza, Leesburg, VA.
Pours a golden straw with a thick head. Smells of fruity sweet belgian yeasts. Taste is dominating fruity, almost apple or pear and banana, belgian yeasts and malts.
Really smooth, full of flavor but somewhat overly sweet for my palate. Overall, nice brew.

Serving type: on-tap

03-29-2012 00:13:54 | More by DrinkSlurm

AgentMunky

California

3.9/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 32 ounce swingtop growler into BrewDog glass. Filled 7 July 2011 at Whole Foods. Listed as a Saison/Bière de Garde. From notes. Reviewed 8 July 2011.

A: Nice white head. The beer is pale yellow and hazy, but translucent. Pretty!

S: Belgian yeast. Clearly a saison. A bit sweet, with some coriander.

T/M: Very smooth-sweet; round and frun. It's a good beer that is typical of a softer saison. The yeast is clean, not funky. Easily enjoyable. Not great, but very drinkable.

O: Appealing, if not excellent. Would drink again. Recommended.

Serving type: growler

02-06-2012 22:02:08 | More by AgentMunky

Tucquan

Pennsylvania

3.48/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Had this on 2011-08-20 in Columbia, PA

A - Amber-brown with a 2-finger light-tan head and good lacing.

S - Pungent belgian yeast and mild pear.

T - Lots of belgian yeast, bread, significant sweet caramel malt, apple and pear. More hop bitterness than most tripels. Didn't find this to be well-balanced as the strong yeast and caramel seemed to vie for attention.

M - Medium body with light-medium carbonation. A little sticky.

O - Interesting but not great. There are other beers from this brewery that I like much more.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2011 11:03:11 | More by Tucquan

Bierman9

New Hampshire

4/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

After a hockey game on 05AUG11 in the Maine Old Boars Tourney, Artied2, Al and I toured Portland a bit. Back at our lodging, we popped this sucka for a nightcap.

I had about 12oz, in a shaker pint glass. It was auburn colored, with a touch of haze. A healthy, off-white head floated on top, lasting well and leaving good stick. Aroma was malty, with some toffee and caramel coming forth. Body was medium, with a smooth, even feel over the tongue.

Flavor had some nice, toasty caramel, with more toffee and a smidge of butterscotch. Some bitterness was present, though well-restrained. Very nice, overall.

Note: once having entered my review above, I read others, plus noting that this is a Tripel. Never would have guessed that; nope nope nope. Tasted more like an old ale to me, but anyhow.... I still liked it! Prosit!!

4 rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

1356

Serving type: bottle

08-10-2011 20:06:19 | More by Bierman9

hmph

Virginia

4.22/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had both on tap at the brewery and also in growler at home not many days after. This review is based on the growler consumption but is petty spot on for the tap as well.

A - interesting color but mostly amber, minimal head with enough lacing to take notice.

S - fruity, sugary, a citrus bite and some belgian yeast is evident

T - it develops much like the smell, a bit fruity, apples, pear. It's clean and crisp. No alcohol taste whatsoever, easy drinking and could put a few glasses away quickly

O - really enjoyed this Tripel, it was a much more hoppy take on a tripel but it was done very well. I was told at the brewery this batch was slightly sweeter than most of the previous batches. I really enjoyed it on tap and opted to take home a growler instead of a previous batch that had been bottled.

Serving type: growler

07-30-2011 22:08:19 | More by hmph

MetalHopHead6

Virginia

4.18/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Blue Mountain Mandolin is slick, fruity, syrupy, and sticky.

It poured dark amber with no head and only a slight trace of lace. It smelled like canned pears and had a sweet sugary fruit flavor like canned pears in heavy syrup. Pear is the dominant flavor; however, near the end it had the look and flavor of apple cider. The feel was smooth and slippery, sliding off the tongue leaving nothing more than a trace of stickiness.

Mandolin is a perfect after dinner summer ale. It's delicious and sweet, and leaves behind a sweet summery flavor with a very nice warm feeling.

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2011 01:45:45 | More by MetalHopHead6

zaphodchak

Virginia

4.18/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Tall pour for a thin head, white, which dissipates into fine surface character. Color shifts impressively from red-amber to golden in the light. Laces finely.

Smell is Belgian yeast and coriander.

Taste is quite pleasant, a good saison and not too bitter nor too spicy, but the pepper is there. Quite sweet, faintly lemony, lingering light malt. Faint, faint vegetal notes.

Mouthfeel is nice, faintly prickly.

Overall, Blue Mountain does it again, spot-on for the style and a good Belgo-Flemish-Saison mix. Tastes like all of these, but it's a good fusion and not a clash. Well-recommended.

Serving type: growler

07-09-2011 02:47:09 | More by zaphodchak

mdfb79

New York

3.15/5  rDev -17.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

From 04/30/11 notes.

a - Pours a murky golden color with an inch of white head and light carbonation evident.

s - Smells of light pears, spices, yeast, citrus hops, and mint.

t - Tastes of apples, pears, light fruity malts, spices, yeast, mint, and light citrus hops.

m - Light to medium body and light carbonation.

o - Overall a pretty average tripel from Blue Mountain. Some nice light fruit to it, but nothing too special. Glad to try it but wouldn't seek it out again.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2011 02:30:46 | More by mdfb79

BamaViper1

Alabama

4.28/5  rDev +12%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 22 oz bomber into a tulip.

This beer pours golden amber into the glass with just a bit of white head with tiny whisps of lacing.

This beer has aromas primarily of granny smith apples which fades into hints of pear.

The Mandolin tastes a little like champagne. Green apple and pear make up the center of the taste profile. There is the mild presence of bitter hops with a citrus finish.

Nice carbonation and light-medium body make up the mouthfeel.

This beer is incredibly easy to drink. Incredibly easy. I like this beer a lot and the alcohol has presence but is in now way overwhelming. First from this brewery, and one of the few tripels that I actually dig.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2011 05:07:55 | More by BamaViper1

JK4Stout

Virginia

4.28/5  rDev +12%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is one fine brew. I stumbled across it quiet by accident on a road trip one day, and it quickly became the highlight of the trip. There are faint notes of belgian and abby-ish flavors. The color coincides with this as well. The homegrown cascade hops give it a unique flavor as well. The price of this brew is compatible with the delight you can take from it. I would fully recommend it to any who go out to the brewery. Splitting a bottle over dinner adds a little refinement to the evening.

Also, I am told that the recipe is one that will change minutely over time, and will grow in flavor with each new batch. Kind of a work in progress. That is a very cool idea to me.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2010 16:42:48 | More by JK4Stout

rapidsequence

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Really cool 750 ml corked bottle. I bought this in 2009.

Appearance: Clear orange-- a little darker than I expected from a "beer born of a single malt," which I expected was pilsner. Must have some candi sugar to darken it a bit. Really nice thick head with good, not great staying power. Less lacing than I wanted-- not much really, and certainly not Belgian-like.

Smell: Surprised to smell all this citrus hoppiness. Sourdough bread yeast. Clovey spice. Hops, yeast, and phenolics are more dominant than the fruity esters, although pear, peach. and white grape are there.

Taste: Its a very hoppy tripel with prominent yeast taste and muted fruit. Clove. A very good tasting beer, but more like a strong Belgian pale ale than a tripel to me. The alcohol is practically undetectable amidst the citrus hops flavor and bitterness.

Mouthfeel: Carbonation is tingly, almost sharp. Smooth, not sticky in the mouth. Drying finish.

Drinkability: A good beer overall, not a high end tripel though. I think it was like 12 or 15 bucks, which is a lot. I like to support local beer though, so I'll definitely buy it again. Fresh would probably be even better as this is a year old and still damn hoppy.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2010 01:02:48 | More by rapidsequence

dball

Virginia

3.88/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I purchased a take-out 25.4oz corked bottle from the brewery. As a tripel should be this a strong beer and I like that. I was surprised by the citrus smell and a sour bite in the after-taste. The citrus surprise and powerful spices are more than I desire. However for folks that like that spicy sour bite I think this beer would be a treat. The appearance and smell are lovely and it is definitely a well crafted brew. It is full of complex spices and brewed for the beer drinker seeking something in excess of the norm. The head is light and fluffy upon the pour. I also have to make mention of the bottle. Props to the artist. Despite my displeasure with the citrus bite and big spices I did enjoy the voluminous bottle of strong beer. For those concerned with price, it runs $14 for this size.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2010 19:07:35 | More by dball

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.78/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in a St. Bernardus goblet.

I would love to know the story behind this beer's name, but I have yet to get the chance to ask down at the brewery. It pours a somewhat hazy golden straw topped by a rather short-lived half-finger of white foam. The nose comprises that lovely combination of banana, clove, and Belgian yeasty spice, along with an extra shake of black pepper. There may or may not be some ruby red grapefruit in there as well...it may just be my crazed imagination... That Belgian yeasty spice takes the point on the tongue, deftly but sternly leading the pepper, banana, and clove on a midnight raid to kill a bland banana republic dictator. They may not be the most surreptitious troops ever, but, hey, even the Dirty Dozen's louder, more blunt approach worked for the most part, right? Some bitter hoppy reinforcements do help make the mission go more easily, but also jumble the plans a bit. The body is fairly light, with a moderately active carbonation and a relatively dry finish. A pretty strong and solid tripel, though the bitterness doesn't work too much in its favor. Seek and ye may like.

Serving type: bottle

07-18-2010 06:34:49 | More by TMoney2591

drtth

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a snifter glass. Glass of cold water on the side to sip from periodically. Received as a gift from someone visiting us from Cville.

Appearance: The beer pours out of the 750 ml bottle a clear copper/orange color with a ½" white head that recedes to form a ring around the glass and leaves a patch of foam on the surface. Throughout most of the beer sipping leaves a sheet of finely bubbled foam on one side of the glass and some rings and speckles of leggy lacing.

Smell: The aroma soft and fruity with Belgian style yeast clearly present. No real hops here but the green fruity (apple/pear) and light citrus character come through clearly.

Taste: The flavor is clean, fresh, and has some interesting complexity. There is light citric bitterness (orange zest?) integrated with some the sweet yet tart green apple character. While there is sweetness it is well controlled and does not cloy.

Mouthfeel: The mouth feel is medium bodied and smooth with fine prickly and persistent carbonation. Finish is medium long, begins with the fruity character and ends with a dry, slightly spicy and lightly bitter finish.

Drinkability: This is definitely a drinkable beer which I'd be happy to try again. While not the best or most complex Tripel I've tried, I definitely like it and would like to try it fresh at the brewery.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2009 00:44:14 | More by drtth

Seanibus

California

3.88/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A curious beer. Pours pleasing copper with a great torrent of carbonation that creates a large, long lasting head, which eventually falls to nice lacing. The aroma is bready and rye-like, with a tight grapefruity hop character and a distinct wine character. It is like a fruity, tropical white wine. The wine character carries through to the flavor, which is quite intense and fruity, with pear and apricot and grape, but with a surprisingly dry finish. There is a little spice lingering back there, perhaps a little nutmeg. The mouthfeel is thin but quite carbonated.

Tasty, but, like an overly intense chardonnay, a little intense for casual drinking.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2009 23:08:13 | More by Seanibus