Allagash Curieux (Bourbon Barrel-Aged Tripel) - Allagash Brewing Company

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rAvg: 4.28
pDev: 11.45%
Reviews: 719
Hads: 822

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Brewed by:
Allagash Brewing Company

Maine, United States

Style | ABV
Tripel | 11.00% ABV

Availability: Year-round. bottle (554), on-tap (146), cask (16), growler (3).

Notes:
Allagash Curieux was the first foray into barrel aging. Curieux is made by aging our Tripel Ale in Jim Beam bourbon barrels for eight weeks in our cold cellars. The aged beer is then blended back with a portion of fresh Tripel. The resulting beer is soft with coconut and vanilla notes, with hints of bourbon.

View: Beers (36) | Events (0)

Reviews

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Reviews by CharlesRiver:

CharlesRiver

Connecticut

4.13/5 rDev -3.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

750ml corked and caged bottle. Bottled in Oct of 2004. IIRC this was $13.99 at Amity about 1 1/2 ago. My bottle states 10% not 11%. Maybe they changed later versions?

Pours out a very cloudy orange-yellow with a tiny head that does not last long. Kind of looks like a big bowl of light clover honey.

This might sound odd but the first thing I smell is dill. Second thing is bourbon and not much after that. Funny, the bourbon is the first thing that I notice about the taste as well. Vanilla and oak are some obvious notes that come through. After the first couple of sips you notice that the flavors start to meld, as best they can. I am actual amazed at how much "bourbon" flavor comes through. The alcohol is very well hidden.

One word of caution, if you don't like whisky do not try this one. It has all the great flavors of it without the harsh alcohol burn. To be honest, not my favorite combo but interesting none the less. I applaud Allagash for trying something out of the norm.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2006 00:22:36 | More by CharlesRiver

More User Reviews:

jaybags

Pennsylvania

3.5/5 rDev -18.2%

05-20-2013 21:39:49 | More by jaybags

Rast

Maryland

4.25/5 rDev -0.7%

05-20-2013 16:59:21 | More by Rast

cnbrown313

Illinois

4.5/5 rDev +5.1%

05-20-2013 16:08:16 | More by cnbrown313

dar482

New York

4.73/5 rDev +10.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

The beer is a beautiful hazy deep blonde gold color.

The aroma has a sweet caramel, barrel characteristic with oak, and sweet apricot. Lemon, spice. You can surely get that this what it is. Tripel that is barrel aged.

The taste has a barrel aged sweetness, Belgian yeast, fruity sweetness, lemon, pineapple. Then there's some rich flavors with oak, bourbon barrel with the coconut, vanilla.

There's a boozy finish as this is at 11% ABV. My favorite tripel so far. It's not your standard fare, but this really is spectacular.

Serving type: on-tap

05-20-2013 06:29:58 | More by dar482

drgonzo2k2

California

4.25/5 rDev -0.7%

05-19-2013 23:23:02 | More by drgonzo2k2

Kreko7

California

4/5 rDev -6.5%

05-19-2013 16:14:47 | More by Kreko7

LeahM

New York

4.25/5 rDev -0.7%

05-19-2013 03:18:59 | More by LeahM

alanv

California

4.5/5 rDev +5.1%

05-18-2013 21:31:26 | More by alanv

cnwillis31

Maine

4.25/5 rDev -0.7%

05-18-2013 14:20:26 | More by cnwillis31

bootdown21

Connecticut

4.25/5 rDev -0.7%

05-18-2013 03:31:27 | More by bootdown21

EricClayton

West Virginia

4.25/5 rDev -0.7%

05-17-2013 19:32:22 | More by EricClayton

SirBentham

California

4.25/5 rDev -0.7%

05-17-2013 18:29:59 | More by SirBentham

Blashawright

Texas

4.5/5 rDev +5.1%

05-16-2013 22:33:47 | More by Blashawright

clayrock81

Virginia

4/5 rDev -6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a golden body with great carbonation for lots of head and lace patches on top of at first is a lightly tart, funky smell with some sour and tropical fruit notes and spice. Got some sweet fruit and sugariness out of the aroma too but not much woodiness or bourbon. Taste is the same as the barrel aging helps out in the mouthfeel with some smoothness and the bourbon notes are quiet but add some heat on the back but not overpowering. More of a traditional tripel in regards to taste with a solid balance of some tropical fruits like orange peel and banana, some sweetness from sugary malts and possibly tropical fruit and touches of spice thanks to some clove and even a slight sourness (I swear I got a taste of sour apple). Not a traditional tripel in the strictest sense but the addition of bourbon barrel aging is a nice complement to the brew and I thoroughly enjoyed this beer.

Serving type: on-tap

05-16-2013 16:56:59 | More by clayrock81