Allagash Fluxus 2011 - Allagash Brewing Company

zaphodchak

Virginia

4.43/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

1 finger white head, ruby-amber body.

Nuanced nose, berry (strawberry?), light wheat/yeast (bready).

Mellow, but with a spicy finish. Nutty somewhere in the middle with light malt that develops and rolls off into that spice.

Initially thick, but very bright, fine carbonation-- thick though, not like champagne.

Outstanding biere de garde-- think a mellower saison for non-saison-lovers. Rich, refreshing, nuanced.

Serving type: on-tap

09-11-2011 02:16:33 | More by zaphodchak

Mmorano

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Viewing oak barrels of Fluxus at the Allagash Brewery last weekend is probably influencing my opinion, but this is one of the most interesting beers I've had recently.

I had this beer as part of a "Thanksgiving"-themed, 4-course beer dinner at the highly recommended Maloney's in Matawan, NJ. We were told that this was the only keg of Fluxus in Jersey.

It was an 8oz pour (course 3 of 4) paired with a delicious turkey pot pie.

Appearance - a beautiful dark copper; somewhat Oktoberfest-like. Right on model.

Smell - Not a strong smell; yet still appropriate, to my recollection. Need to investigate this more closely next time.

Taste - I'm guessing that the people who tried Fluxus 2011 way back in August might enjoy it more now. As of November 17, the flavor is very complex. There were many interesting, subtle notes going on that a more skilled taster could explain. But the finish had a light toastiness, which I wasn't expecting in a Biere de Garde. The sage-y flavor of the pot pie might've played a role in this.

Mouthfeel - appropriate

Overall - This year's Fluxus is well worth your time if you come across it, or have a bottle aging in the cellar. Thank you Maloney's for getting a keg of this beer. It was a delight.

Serving type: on-tap

11-19-2011 06:16:36 | More by Mmorano

ngeunit1

California

4.28/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Hazy amber-orange with a finger of frothy tannish head. Fades fairly slowly.

S - Sweet grainy and bready malts, some biscuit, citrus peel, Belgian yeast, coriander, pepper, other spices, bit of farmhouse funk.

T - Sweet grainy, biscuit, and bready malts, lemon and other citrus zest, Belgian yeast, coriander, pepper, other spices, some farmhouse funk, a touch of tart green fruit.

M - Medium bodied with moderate-plus carbonation. Smooth with a estery, dry, and lightly sweet finish.

D - Great biere de garde. Really nice farmhouse character with great overall mouthfeel and body.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2013 03:27:28 | More by ngeunit1

puboflyons

New Hampshire

4.18/5  rDev +10%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Corked and caged. Sampled on Nov. 24, 2011. The pour is a nice looking medium amber with a long lasting head. Slightly cloudy. This is a very aromatic beer with its malt, yeast, and wheat character. The body is about medium. The taste brings out the malts and wheat in a good way and then it ends with a slightly sour hoppy note. Style wise it is right on. And it gets a whole lot better as it warms up.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2011 19:34:53 | More by puboflyons

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

this beer poured out with a really nice looking copper color. The head was white and had a good amount of retention to it. The smell of the beer was grainy, soft and earthy. Not a typical aroma that comes from Allagash too much. The taste of the beer was very mild and had a nice malt sweetness to it. Not much of a sourness or funk at all, this beer just tastes really mellow. The mouthfeel is clean and creamy, it's got a nice amount of carbonation to it and is very drinkable. Overall I thought it was really good, this was something totally unexpected from this brewery.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2012 22:24:10 | More by Knapp85

impending

California

4.08/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

750ml into a tulip. Pours an uninspired dull deep orange cola, towering cream colored head retains nicely, excellent lacing.

Aroma is sweet spicy clovey yeasty goodness. Clean, upbeat. Candied sugar with just a touch of earth. Excellent

Sweet upfront, dry finish. Minor phenols help define the aftertaste. Finals with a pleasant dry quiet bitterness. Minor musty undertones. Medium bodied slick mouthfeel, slightly cloying. Warmth allows a deeper level of complexity to shine.
cheers
jd

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2011 05:14:33 | More by impending

xmorgan

California

4.08/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On draft at the Trappist in Oakland
Love coming here as the beers always change and one can explore. So many great beers so little time, know what I mean?
Pours a reddish orange Not cloudy smell is faint yet sweet
Taste is slightly sweet fruit and the Saison flavor comes in on the finish. But it lax the typical farmhouse complexity that I love in the style. Meaning most times I drink farmhouse beers I get a sense of straw or hay that makes me think of thirsty farm hands resting on the ground enjoying beer after or between Labors.

Serving type: on-tap

11-10-2011 21:23:06 | More by xmorgan

Brez07

Maine

4.05/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

750ml bottle, served into an Ommegang glass. Labeled a French-Style Farmhouse ale

A: Color is very beautiful, similar to amber or dark honey. Initial pour left a sizable 2 finger fizzy head which settled to a thin layer

S: Rather interesting nose. Nothing really stands out, but definitely a lot of characteristics. Leather, white pepper, apples, grape skin, hay and the standard Allagash house yeast

T: Hard for me to grasp exactly what I'm tasting. Maybe some fig. Slight fruity sweetness, not dissimilar to a weak cider. Layer of belgian yeast. Caramel? As the beer warms, I become more convinced it's there. White pepper/spice hits in the back

M: Medium bodied. Sharp but fairly brief carbonation. Spice lingers on the tongue. Dry, slightly bitter finish

D: Nice, complex offering from Allagash. Lots of flavors complementing each other. Alcohol is not a hindrance here. Other than the price ($16) I have no complaints

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2011 20:58:41 | More by Brez07

asabreed

New York

4.05/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

25.6 oz. caged and corked bottle.

Appearance: A hazy, fairly dark amber color, nice lacing with decent retention going on.

Smell: Medicinal phenolic activity, with some nice sweetness in the background, citrus,

Taste: A good sense of phenolic activity, with a good sweetness also. Lingering dryness, with some nice citrus hops.

Mouthfeel: Champagne-like through and through. Though it's the best thing about this beer, it definitely doesn't take away from all the other positive attributes.

Drinkability: Solid all around. My first Fluxus. Enjoying the series, and will try to snag the rest of them when they're ready in the upcoming years.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2011 23:10:49 | More by asabreed

lordofthewiens

Maine

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

On tap at The Lion's Pride.

The beer was an amber color with a thick white head. There was plenty of lace.

Spicy aroma, peppery. Some fruit, seemed to be apples. Sweet candy.

The peppery spice was more apparent in the taste. There was a good yeasty taste. The fruit in the aroma seemed more orange in the taste.

This was a smooth, medium-bodied beer.

I enjoyed it a lot. Very drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

08-09-2011 23:43:00 | More by lordofthewiens

BEERMILER12

Maine

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

A: Pours a clear golden amber color (woo!! I poured it right!) with a couple fingers worth of bubbly, off-white head

S: A nice fruity, peppery yeast reminiscent of a tripel along with a twang of barnyard and some other spice notes

T: Same as the smell, comes in fairly spicy and fruity with the yeast, and follows up with a twang. Alcohol is slightly noticeable, but hides nicely behind the yeast

M: Medium bodied with high carbonation. Quite chewy despite the carbonation being as high as it is

O: A very interesting beer. It smells like a tripel, looks and tastes more like a dubbel, and yet it is a beer of its own with some nice, unique qualities. Very nice job yet again by Allagash

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2011 18:22:04 | More by BEERMILER12

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

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

First had: on tap at Tria, Philly, PA

Definitely a tasty one here. Poured into a tulip glass, a dark orange-amber, cloudy, with just under a finger of fine eggshell head. Caramel in the nose, honey-coated bread, spice and yeast, gentle fruits. Taste is similar, bready, light sugars, sweet and fruity with notes of apples, pears and apricots. Lightly spiced with hints of pepper and clove, with a moderate hop appearance mid- to end-palate. Medium-bodied, smooth and flavorful, just a bit syrupy, and overall nicely drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

09-25-2011 19:31:20 | More by Rifugium

Bendurgin

Maine

3.98/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a chalice. Pours a honey amber color with a large creamy looking biege head with pleanty of lacing.

Bready malts with a little bit of a fruity profile in the background. A bit of a perfumy floral hop aroma in the background. Seems to bed a little funky. This one has floral flavors with some spiciness. Seems to be a little funky with some pepper in the finish.

The carbonation seems a little lower than I would have immagined. Nice and light on the body and somewhat dry on the finish. Overall not bad. Pretty interesting brew.

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2011 23:56:18 | More by Bendurgin

Kromes

Georgia

3.98/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Gentle pour into a tulip glass. A clear copper with four fingers width of off white head that died down to a thin line of bubbles. Not too much lacing on glass.

S: Belgian spice, funk, yeast, crisp hop, and a touch of citrus.

T: The funk really comes through in the flavor. A sweet toasted malt flavor is joined with the funky yeast, fruit and spice and a slight hop flavor and bitterness in the finish.

M: Medium bodied mouthfeel and a little syrupy with decent carbonation. Leaves the mouth a little dry in the finish.

O: A nice flavorful beer. No off flavors and well crafted.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2011 23:08:24 | More by Kromes

andrewinski1

Maine

3.95/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into an Allagash chalice. The color is red orange kind of amber. There is a large white head with a hint of rose.

The aroma from afar indicates some nice apple-like fruitness. When I take a deeper whiff, I get more pepper and spice.

The first sip is very spicy. This is very yeast driven in the start. The finish is dry and slightly biscuity. This is pretty tasty.

The body is medium and there is a lot of slightly creamy carbonation.

I like this beer, it's a little pricey though. I would love for Allagash to have an everyday farmhouse ale in four packs.

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2011 23:44:39 | More by andrewinski1

tehzachatak

Massachusetts

3.93/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

750 ml bottle poured into my Allagash chalice.

A - exceptional. four full fingers of gorgeous eggshell colored head with large bubbles. deep mahogany body, only slightly hazy.

S - a lot of tripel notes, with some burnt sugar, spices and some very subtle barnyardy scents.

T - similar to the nose, with some spice notes and a little caramel. like another reviewer, i also got a little pumpkin in this, which is really funky..

M - nicely bodied, with perfectly active carbonation. lwith some higher alcohols standing out, this is probably the weakest aspect of this beer for me- just tastes too boozy.

I really did enjoy this beer, but it definitely has some flaws. Not what I would have expected from a large scale Allagash release, but that doesn't mean I didn't like it.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2011 00:02:15 | More by tehzachatak

SummitVA

Maryland

3.9/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Clear amber pour with little head and no lacing. Medium carbonation.

S - Huge phenolic yeast character and some breadiness, as well. Some sharp fruit also, apples and pears especially. A hint of alcohol heat.

T - Funky yeast character dominates flavor, putting out even bigger clove than in the nose. Very nice complex malt character (toasted bread, along with a rougher graininess), but this is subtle overall. Fruitiness is more apparent--again apples and pears. Alcohol heat and tannic dryness in the finish. Final impression: Big sweetness and a bit too much heat.

M - Medium bodied.

O - Some really interesting components here (liked the pepper and clove in the yeast, especially); however, the beer overall didn't really grab me. A bit too hot and a bit too sweet. Seek it out on draft if you haven't had it, but I don't know that I'd seek out a bottle.

Serving type: on-tap

08-18-2011 19:55:25 | More by SummitVA

mdfb79

New York

3.9/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From 08/12/11 notes. Had on tpa at Galaxy Hut in Arlington, VA. Served in a pint glass.

a - Pours a deep amber color with one inch of light tan head/off white head and moderate carbonation evident.

s - Smells of fruit, cloves and spices, apples, light bready malts.

t - Tastes of apples and fruity malts, spices, bready malts, light oak or wood. More spice than the nose, and a step up for me.

m - Medium body and moderate carbonation.

o - Overall I liked this one. A pretty easy and nice beer to drink on a summer night. Would have it again.

Serving type: on-tap

08-24-2011 15:26:48 | More by mdfb79

Daniellobo

District of Columbia

3.9/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

True, a somewhat uncommon take on farmhouse ales, pushing its caramel and malty edge but rather pleasing in that context.

Presentation: 750 ml corked and caged bottle. Simple light cream Allagash label touches of brown in the lettering and a of a farm barn in the background. Label offers a dictionary description nod to the name of the fluxus releases, one line description, and serving instructions. Notes 2011 vintage, and 8% Alc. by Vol. Served in a tulip glass.

A - Amber-brown pour with a rich frothy head, good retention and surface memory with rich lacing.

S - Soft if pleasing malty nose, full of caramel with a spicy hint.

T - Taste follows with a deep malty sweetness, plenty of caramel with a nice spicy hint in the finish woven with a soft bitter touch.

M - Medium body and carbonation with a nice smooth ride punctuated by the soft bitter-spicy push in the finish.

O - Surprising but rather pleasing malty and sugary edge for a farmhouse ale. A nice offering.

Notes: Surprised to find consequently these takes on the French edge of the farmhouse brew with a predominantly malty and sweet edge, they actually work pretty well. Growlers of Gaithersburg does a studier take with US yeast, but works in a similar tune. Maybe these are not brews I would go to often. But all things considered they felt pretty tasty and I would not mind at all to revisit in the future.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2011 00:14:57 | More by Daniellobo

pokesbeerdude

Colorado

3.9/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Got this in a BIF last fall, finally getting around to it. Into a large tulip.

A: Pours a nice ruddy brown with an enormous dense sand colored head that doesn't want to fade away. Slightly hazy. Excellent lacing. Really a nice looking beer.

S: Malty with a nice amount of spice and yeast esters. Really yeast forward.

T: Bready, caramel malts, and a much more subdued yeast profile than the nose leads on. Light bitterness finds its way into the back. I get some citrus/lemon from the hop profile as well. Interesting stuff.

M: Light and crisp, quite dry.

O: Pretty enjoyable, not the best of style but still a solid enjoyable beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2012 00:27:53 | More by pokesbeerdude

MadBeerX

Connecticut

3.88/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Fluxus 2011- French Style Farmhouse Ale

A beautiful representation of the Bier De Garde
Color is medium amber ale with a smooth lager quality. There is a complex aroma which presents an earthiness and toasted grains, balanced by a fruity candied grape.
Finish is remarkably dry with a wine-like character and light tannins.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2011 17:24:23 | More by MadBeerX

homebrew311

Illinois

3.88/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on draft at the bad apple.

A: appears a clear dark reddish amber, thin and sparse white head, some lacing

S: nose features hints of anise, plum, vanilla accents, some caramel along with some dark cherry. Lots going on.

T: tastes starts off a bit fruity and sweet, grapes and cherries come to mind, waves of spicy notes come trough, the finish features a grainy bread like character. Alcohol is well integrated.

Mf: body is a bit thin, carbonation is on the high side

O: nice intersting brew from an under brewed style, the nose promised more than the taste delivered, overall a nice balance.

Serving type: on-tap

10-15-2011 21:30:08 | More by homebrew311

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

3.78/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Max's today.

The beer pours a fairly dark amber color with decent head retention and fair lacing. Don't get a whole lot on the nose, just some light sweet malt, light cherry, a hint of clove and some underlying spice. On the palate, I guess I just don't quite understand what Allagash is going for here. The sweet malt really drives the flavor profile, with some underlying bitterness and spice. The bitterness helps to dry out the moderate sweetness, but this is like no saison or farmhouse ale I've ever tried. Mouthfeel is medium bodied, with a fairly long, malty and bitter finish. Alcohol is well integrated into the flavor profile, but this reminds me more of a belgian style amber (it reminds me of the palm amber in many ways) than any saison.

Not a bad beer, but I'm just not sure what Allagash was going for with this.

Serving type: on-tap

08-07-2011 18:43:23 | More by johnmichaelsen

AgentMunky

Alabama

3.78/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Served in a snifter at Beer Run.

A: Light white head. Fantastic lacing. A gorgeous ruddy brown that glows enchantingly in the light. Some bubbles. Really pretty beer.

S: Bland. Distant lambic funk barely cuts through the grainy smell.

T: Good! If hard to describe. The weirdness is present and sour. Otherwise crisp, lightly grainy, and noticeably hopped. I like it as a bière de garde.

M: Carbonated and crisp. Good.

O: I like it a lot, but the price tag is prohibitive. It's not THAT good. Still, recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

09-09-2011 19:29:17 | More by AgentMunky

deltatauhobbit

Maine

3.75/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours an amber color with a tinge of orange, thinnish head that fades quickly, not much lacing on the glass, no cap on top, clear right now but I'm sure as it gets closer to the bottle it will get more cloudy... which it was but not as much as some other Allagash beers can be.

The smell has a strong aroma of candied sugar and some light fruitiness, decent malt backing coupled with some spiciness.

Taste is very similar to the aroma with a sweet malt backing with candied sugar, light spiciness keeps things interesting enough but I don't think it goes far enough, carbonation explodes in the mouth and I found myself swirling the glass to work out some of the carbonation so it wouldn't be so aggressive.

Serving type: bottle

08-27-2011 04:44:24 | More by deltatauhobbit