Templeton Rye Aged Nina’s Belgian Abbey Quadrupel - Haymarket Pub & Brewery

MasterSki

Illinois

4.03/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at FoBAB and then again at Haymarket. Served in a taster glass.

A - Slightly hazed ruby body, with a finger of tan foam that settles to a thin cap, thicker collar, and plenty of lace.

S - The two different pours were quite a bit different. The one at FoBAB was heavy on bready grains, earthy notes, cherry, red cherry, licorice, and only mild notes of whiskey, vanilla, and coconut. On the other side the Haymarket pour had insane rye whiskey and vanilla, with mild notes of cherry flesh and candi sugar peeking through. 3.5 for the FoBAB version, and 4.5 for the Haymarket one.

T - The disconnect is mirrored in the taste - they Haymarket draft version has way more whiskey. Rye whiskey, red fruits and berries, green appleskin, some candi, and mild oak in the finish. There's more balance here than the crazy whiskey-forward Haymarket draft aroma.

M - Full bodied, sticky and heavy, with lower carbonation, and mild warming alcohol in the finish.

D - I was sort of lukewarm to the base quad, and the FoBAB version seemed like more of the same, but with a touch of whiskey. However, the draft version at Haymarket was pretty solid, with great whiskey notes. I happily enjoyed my 4oz and I'd have another small pour if it was still on-tap.

Serving type: on-tap

11-28-2012 21:55:11 | More by MasterSki

emerge077

Illinois

4.23/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Jerry's Andersonville, served in a small snifter glass.
Color was a deep cherry wood brown with a cap of light tan foam resting on the surface. Head retention was high, and lasted for the duration. The creamy foam left behind very fine lacing, with an ever present sticky collar rising up around the edges.

Big aromas of vanilla, sweet toffee, and a mellow woody spice. Creamy and viscous, palate coating, medium bodied with finely textured carbonation that creeps up visibly around the edges of the glass. Vanilla, caramel, toffee, clove spice, creamy and rich, sweetness lingers briefly in the finish and dries out after. Alcohol heat from the rye barrel is fairly well hidden though present, and overall it's well melded together.

As a regular Templeton drinker, I felt the barrel notes were distinct and complimented this beer nicely.

Serving type: on-tap

12-10-2012 21:36:38 | More by emerge077