Allagash Hugh Malone - Allagash Brewing Company

flannelman808

California

4.15/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is a review for a batch 5 bottle ... Abv has changed to 8.3%.

A: Caution contents under pressure is no understatement. This corked btl POPs with very little pull and needs an immediate glass to pour into or it will volcano all over the place. Pours a yellow amber color which has just the slightest haze and has an angry stream of bubbles trying to escape in my Duvel glass. A rather stark white head forms and threatens never to leave. Lacing is equally motivated to never go away.

S: Orchard pear and some tangerine jump out first followed by a subtle spice.

T: Harshly bitter up front and more spicy than I might have imagined. Bitterness comes mostly from grassy notes and fruity notes take time to develop and are more suggestive of citrus pith/rind and juice.

M: lots of carbonation leads to a prickly palate.

O: Looks amazing. Smells amazing. Though good this tastes like a typical belgian IPA (read as disappointing)

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2011 01:21:05 | More by flannelman808

rdilauro

Connecticut

4.15/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a light Pilsner color with a good white creamy head.. The aroma and bouquet was very pleasant. There was a fine strong but not over powering hop smell. The first mouthful was big and full. Some malt, touch of gentle barley, a hint of tropical fruit, maybe even some pear like taste.
The nose in this one is bigger than the actual taste and finish. That was my one negative about this one.. But all I needed to do is bring up the glass to my nose and the aroma took over.
I will try this one again

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2011 00:47:00 | More by rdilauro

One2Remeber

Florida

4.15/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bought the bottle from California last week. Bottled September 2011. Poured into a snifter.

A: Camel brown color with an illuminating orange hue. Hazy as could be. White, cloudy head is really thick in size but thin in body. Crazy amount of bubbles. Great head retention but over the top amount.

S: Soapy, pine, lemon clean aroma.

T/M: Hops come out in the taste. Very refreshing. Pine, earthy, herbal hop profile with a spicy yeast backbone. Sudsy feel with a lemon burst that coats the pallet with lingering touch. Lighter body for a Belgian and an IPA.

O: Quite refreshing, drinks smooth, lots of subtle flavors that complement each other. Leaves a piney aftertaste. Really glad I tried it, not sure it is worth $23/750ml, but uniquely enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2012 23:40:14 | More by One2Remeber

ppoitras

Massachusetts

4.13/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

750ml bottle purchased at Julio's, Westboro, MA. Corked and caged.

Poured in a Rapscallion glass, formed a 2" beige head over the cloudy orangey amber brew. Head actually grows initially, fueled by vigorous bubbling from deep in the glass, lacing meringuey and sticky. Aroma is lightly of piney hops, with some spicy yeast adding to the show. Taste is relatively balanced, and while the moderate hoppiness is a constant throughout, in the door we find some delicate malt sweetness, coupled with light fruitiness in the middle. The hops character returns for the close to slowly but surely return to the bitter. Mouthfeel is smooth, almost seems a bit thin, and drinkability is nice and easy. Nothing over the top here hopwise, but constructed nicely with everything working well together, which is always appreciated.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2007 01:37:12 | More by ppoitras

pinotboy007

Virginia

4.13/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - From the $16.00 bottle poured a nice golden amber ale with a beautiful, rocky, dense head that never really settled; modest lace and a stream of bubbles.

S - Hops, alcohol, citrus, peat and even a bit of leather.

T/M - Similar to the smell with a wonderful sourness that frames the hops; this is a complex ale that really changes as it warms. The warmer it becomes, the creamier it gets. Perfect carbonation. Quite exceptional.

D - Well, at 8.5 ABV the envelope is maxed out. I can see pairing this with fish 'n chips, maybe some raw shell fish or preferably on its own year 'round.

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2008 16:20:13 | More by pinotboy007

tadowdaddy

Michigan

4.13/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Cloudy golden color with an orange tint and huge eggshell head that had great retention. Lacing on the sides of the glass was superb.

S- Very floraly aroma. Also a bit of caramel maltiness in the backend of the smell.

T- VERY well balanced. Initial sweet malt taste followed by a burst of fresh earthy hops. Got a bit of a citrus and a bit of a pine taste from the hops.

M- Creamy and oily. Leaves a nice coating on the tongue.

D- VERY! No taste of alcohol and the beer goes down as smooth as they come.

Got this in a trade as an extra! Thank you for the wonderful beer Miamifan1354. Would definitely purchase this beer if it were available in Michigan.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2008 03:31:18 | More by tadowdaddy

yossarian14

Massachusetts

4.13/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

One of the best looking pours I've seen. Big white fluffy cloud of never-ending head. Its a slightly hazy bright amber. Maybe a little chill haze. It smells like a west coast IPA with the Belgian yeast spicy notes. Smells like a Belgian IPA should.

I am a little disappointed because the marks go down from there, but I still can't complain, because I love this beer. I think the hops and the yeast aren't blending as smoothly as they should. The taste is hoppy, piney a little bit grapefruit pith and ends spicy, yeasty. The mouthfeel is full, creamy. I love the style. The Belgian IPA, traditionalists be damned, is quickly becoming a favorite. Hugh Malone doesn't stand out in a crowd, of BelgIPAs. But what are you gonna do, half-assed breweries aren't attempting this. World-class breweries are. Try Piraat first, if your new to this style, and go from there.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2008 01:20:31 | More by yossarian14

TexIndy

Texas

4.13/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 750ml corked and caged bottle into a pint glass. No dating info . Opened with a loud pop. Good thing I had a tight grasp on the cork because it shot out of there. Label even has warning about it. Was a clear bronze color with a massive carb geyser coming from the bottom. Good lacing. Had a massive bubbly white head that very slowly settled to a thick foam that was constantly fed by the geyser.

The aroma was excellent. Sweet malt base, bready with lots of citric hops as well. Really enjoyed the sweet making it's way to the front. Too many of the American IPA's are dominated by the hops and could use a little more balance like this one has to it. The taste was also excellent. Again, great sweet malt base that was pretty well balanced by the hops. Towards the end the sweetness did start to take over which hurt the last third of the glass. Starts out smooth with the malt and then the hops kick in and finishes with a bit of bitter. This is my first Belgian IPA but if the rest are like this one then this will be a top style for me. Mouthfeel was good but a bit too much carbonation.

Overall, an outstanding beer that I highly recommend. Another homerun from Allagash. If avail here (brought this back from Indy) this would be in main rotation.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2009 02:47:48 | More by TexIndy

glid02

Georgia

4.13/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at the Porter Beer Bar in Atlanta.

Pours a slightly hazy yellow-gold color with a 1.5-finger white head. The head slowly recedes into a thin layer on top leaving thick lacing.

Smells of slightly muted hops - grassy, pine, and light citrus - with spices and light malts lurking in the background. As the beer warms the spices intensify.

Tastes similar to how it smells. Light and sweet malt flavors kick things off and are joined quickly by loads of hops - grassy mostly with citrus undertones. Midway through the sip hints of clove enter into things and the beer sweetens a bit before ending with a solid bitterness.

Mouthfeel is good. It's got a solid thickness with active carbonation.

Drinkability is very good. I finished my glass quickly and could easily have another.

Overall this was a good looking Belgian IPA but in terms of flavor it wasn't quite up there with the big boys. Still, it's worth a shot.

Serving type: on-tap

01-28-2010 03:11:51 | More by glid02

mjaskula

New York

4.13/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served in a pilsner glass. The beer is a hazy golden with a huge dense lather like head that never goes away and leaves a significant amount of lacing.

The aroma is strongly belgian with an assertive yeast character. The earthy hop aroma is more subdued and backed up with some banana and clove. The flavor is very smooth and mild with strong yeast flavors and some black pepper notes. Reminds me more of a saison. Hop bitterness is present but not assertive. Alcohol is well hidden and mouthfeel is dry.

A great beer for summer.

Serving type: bottle

06-25-2010 01:44:31 | More by mjaskula

Chaney

District of Columbia

4.13/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this on tap at the Whole Foods in Fairfax.

Served in a tulip.

A: Poured a cloudy, peppery, yet compactly eye-popping orange color, with a white sawdust for a head.

S: I definitely got more fruit than hoppiness, but I did manage to get a little bit of that grass-infused hop compound that I commonly associate with this style.

T: I totally dig the finish on just about all of Allagash's brews... so fresh, clean, and inviting. I got a tinge of grassiness, but not too much (thank God!), along with tons of orange zest, and Allagash's distinctive Belgian yeast strain.

M: I had to remind myself that I wasn't drinking a mimosa. A good bit of bubbly carbonation was present, along with tons of bitter citrus and tons of lacing.

O: I'm turned off from this style due to the bitter grassiness that I mentioned. This one doesn't have that quality and it's a better beer for it!

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2011 02:06:43 | More by Chaney

deebo

Minnesota

4.11/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A 750 ml bottle from 2012 poured into a pint glass. This year's version clocks in at 7.3% ABV. This beer is highly carbonated providing a big time dense white fluffy head that has big time staying power. Clear (kept the yeast in the bottle for the first pour) and light in color-straw with just a hint of golden. Aromas of hops a plenty-spicy peppery and citrus rind. Lots of that traditional Belgian yeast aroma in here too. Taste is like the aroma, lots of yeast, hops and clean malts. Upfront malty, then yeasty and finally hoppy and a bit bitter. The beer finishes quickly and is dry. As it warms on the 2nd pint the volatile alcohols come out stronger. Overall although not a style I gravitate towards, this is a well done beer with loads of malt, hops and yeast balanced in unison for a drinkable big beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2013 01:53:38 | More by deebo

jcipa88

Massachusetts

4.1/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

At first glance you think, nah - can't be, is Allagash brewing an ale in a funky 750ml bottle? Well, it's true, another Belgium for the library - this ale has that Belgium character, but hey wait a minute it's not as strong as some others I've had, but it has a great balance of sweetness and even tier of ABV (sitting at 8.5%), with cloudyness. The chemicals swish and swoosh around in the mouth and it lingers enough for that flavorful aroma. It makes yah respect the Belgium style that Allagash has done over the years. It's nice, maybe could use a little hoppy drive. Have it over dinner and experiment. - jc

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2007 03:12:43 | More by jcipa88

gford217

Georgia

4.1/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at the Brick Store.

Pours a slightly hazy bright golden amber with a big puffy white head that lasted the duration of the session and left very good lacing. The smell is subdued and balanced for an IPA with some citrus hops but a significant sweet bready malt aroma as well. Taste is also heavy with sweet malts with the hops playing a supporting role. The mouthfeel is very creamy with good carbonation and a slight hop bitterness in the finish. Very crisp and clean. This is an extremely nice beer and the low-key hop profile makes it more drinkable than the alcohol indicates. Recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

07-16-2008 01:54:08 | More by gford217

mltobin

Connecticut

4.1/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Hugh Malone was served on-tap at Ginger Man in SoNo.

The appearance is a deep golden color with a one finger head.
Upon taking a whiff, I smell honey, cloves, and some mary jane.
The taste comes across with vanilla, a small batch of hops, and a dallopp of honey. Mouthfeel on Hugh Malone hits me with a light presence overall, some vanilla, light spice on the tongue.
Drinkability is very good, this belgian IPA is great, and I am very happy to have finally had the opportunity to drink it, very nice beer and worth your time.

Serving type: on-tap

06-06-2009 01:19:48 | More by mltobin

sholland119

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at The Pony Bar.

A-Pours a hazy gold with a foamy white head and good lacing.

S-Very nicely complex and deep. Floral notes mix with a pineapple sweet hoppiness, malt and Belgian yeast.

T-Sweet malt starts it off, trailing to a sharp hop finish. Some alcohol in the finish that I did not expect or care for. Otherwise, quite nice.

M-Medium bodied with a lingering boozy heaviness.

D-Very nice except for the strong presence of alcohol.

HV

Serving type: on-tap

07-22-2009 20:40:30 | More by sholland119

KickbacksSteve

Florida

4.1/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Brick Store Pub. Poured into an Allagash tulip. Inch of white foam rests atop a golden body. Aroma is fruity, slightly sweet, with a hint of funk. Taste is unique in an Allagash sort of way. The Allagash funk adds an interesting twist to this style. I think the sour actually overpowers the bitter and the sweet, not in a bad way. If you go into this beer expecting a beer typical of the style, you may be let down. Go into it expecting an Allagash version of a Belgian ipa, you'll be richly rewarded.

Serving type: on-tap

02-10-2010 04:37:58 | More by KickbacksSteve

Brez07

Maine

4.1/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Reviewing from notes. 16oz pour into my chalice at Novare Res

A: Hazy orange color with limited head. Leaves behind some swiss cheese-like lacing

S: Notes of orange zest, grass and pale malt. Seems fairly well hopped for a belgian IPA

T: A very tasty citrus blend. Orange, pineapple and some piney goodness. Some hop bitterness mixed in. Somewhere during the glass, the belgian yeast appears, which is pretty standard for this brewer

M: Medium bodied. Well carbonated, rolling from front to back. Dry, crisp finish

D: One of my favorites from Allagash. Although I've never had it from a bottle, it's fantastic on tap. Hops are really put on display

Serving type: on-tap

11-04-2010 21:04:55 | More by Brez07

n2185

North Carolina

4.1/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours a hazy straw gold with two fingers of sticky white head that leaves good lacing and retains well.

S: Lots of grassy hop aromas with some lemony citrus notes. There is some Belgian candy sweetness towards the end.

T: Lots of grassy and lemony hop flavors up front with a light bitterness. There are some lightly sweet Belgian yeast flavors on the finish.

M: Light body with high carbonation, this beer is nice and crisp.

O: Overall, a pretty good Belgian IPA, though I feel like the Belgian notes get a bit overwhelmed by the hops. They're definitely there, but don't balance well with the hop flavors.

Serving type: on-tap

04-01-2011 07:16:27 | More by n2185

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a hazy yellow to orange-ish color with a white head. In the aroma, fresh hops, and not to incriminate myself, kind of like a bag of weed. In the taste, dry pine hops and a light yeasty presence. A small hop bite and a medium bodied mouthfeel, with a dry small hop and yeasty aftertaste. Big hops and mellow Belgian like qualities. Quite enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2011 20:47:25 | More by OWSLEY069

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

4.1/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at coalhouse pizza, stamford, CT.
Ok, my only gripe about this is that it was served in a stupid mason jar! Set a side, it poured a slight hazy golden wheat color with a thick white foam. Smells of citrus fruit and slight banana belgian style yeast. Really smells good and what Id expect from the type, but even more aromatic.
Taste if full...belgian hoppy IPA. coats the tongue of alcohol and yeasty fruit. Very tastey and a satisfying brew. I wouldnt hesitate to get again.

Serving type: on-tap

11-06-2011 02:22:37 | More by DrinkSlurm

Sam21

Connecticut

4.1/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

750ml bottle purchased for ~$16. Bottled in September 2011. Poured into tulip.

Appearance – Golden body with a picture perfect fluffy white head. Textbook retention. I poured this beer about five minutes ago and the head has barely receded.

Smell – Candied citrus fruits pour out of the glass. Really juicy. A touch of caramel in the back.

Taste – Sweet fruits galore. Sugared grapefruit, orange, and citrus rinds. The yeast runs pretty wild offering hints of clove and slightly phenolic undertones that cut through the sweetness. The finish is bone dry and has a characteristic American IPA grapefruit bitterness that cuts through.

Mouthfeel – Soft and full carbonation fill the mouth and scrub the tongue clean allowing the bitterness in the finish to shine through. On the lighter side of a medium body.

Drinkability – This beer is so smooth. The sugared grapefruit flavor really grabbed my taste buds and kept me coming back sip after sip. Full bodied carbonation and a palate cleansing bitterness. The Belgian yeast hold things together really well. Solid brew.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2011 01:51:40 | More by Sam21

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

4.1/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap 11/6/2012 at Track 84 in Warwick, RI, served in a tulip glass.

A: The beer is a deep amber color, with a short off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma contains floral hops, caramelized malts, Belgian yeast and citrus.

T: The taste starts out bready with a hearty malt character and some Belgian yeast. Then a strong but not over-powering hops presence comes in. There’s a mild but complementary citrus and caramel sweetness that brings some balance. The after-taste is slightly hoppy and slightly sweet.

M: Crisp and smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.

O: Tasty, goes down easily, not too filling, good kick, good representation of style, this is a solid beer worth drinking for a long time.

Serving type: on-tap

11-11-2012 21:10:57 | More by TheManiacalOne

JohnQVegas

Tennessee

4.08/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Draught.

Pours a hazy orange-gold, with a small off-white head and a wall of lacing.

Nose is citrusy, a little yeast also. Not a big nose.

Taste starts off with a citrusy hops and some lightly sweet, biscuity malt, just a bit toasty, made sharper by the firm carbonation, and a bit of a dry. Spicy yeast note. Hops turn more resiny around mid-palate, and then the yeast takes over with a big dryness - it's like the taste is just sucked into a wall of off-dryness, from which emerges a nice, lingering pine bitterness to complement the yeast. Dryness lets up just a bit after awhile, letting the flavor of the yeast peek through carrying just a bit of the biscuity malt.

Mouthfeel is firmly carbonated, medium bodied, just a bit oily. I would drink this beer again, for sure.

Serving type: on-tap

02-05-2009 14:00:33 | More by JohnQVegas

srandycarter

California

4.08/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - Pours somewhat murky copper, nice tight bubbled compact white head. Slowly leaves to disk, then ring. Soapy lacing.

S - Sweet malt and citrus.

T - Interesting blend of nice malt, pine, and lemon. Cool.

M - Best part. Creamy, balanced, mouth filling and married well with the carb.

D - Very easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2009 04:15:14 | More by srandycarter