Trip VIII - Elysian Brewing Company

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

3.95/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Sort of puzzled that these beers aren't reviewed a bit more often.... in any event.... on tap at Concordia Alehouse the other day.

Trip VIII pours a copper amber color with good head retention and lacing. The nose is very rich and malty, but with considerable dry citrus and pepper to buoy the sweet malt and all too noticeable alcohol. The flavor profile replicates the nose pretty closely, though given the amount of sweet malt in the nose, I was a bit surprised by the dry, hoppy, bitter finish. As already noted, the alcohol is a bit too noticeable in this beer, which is not a very positive feature. Mouthfeel is medium bodied to full, with a long, bitter, boozy finish.

While this beer is pleasant enough, there's nothing really distinctive about it either. Hmmm....

Serving type: on-tap

04-30-2011 13:57:41 | More by johnmichaelsen

jdense

Oregon

3.95/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Apex PDX, $4 for 12 oz. tulip.

Half finger white head, slow dissipation with above average lacing. Chill haze poured too cold suppressed the grapefruit and pine resin aromas that were quite noticeable once the beer warmed. Taste is fairly piney up front, citrus and some peach notes in the middle, not an overly bitter finish. Mouthfeel on the light side of medium, no noticeable effervescence. Pretty tasty but a fairly wicked alcohol kick cuts into drinkability. One of the better beers in the Trip series collaboration between New Belgium and Elysian.

Serving type: on-tap

03-19-2011 17:14:18 | More by jdense