This is a review of a promotional sample received from the brewery.
Table for Two on a table… get it?… table…Shipping under the Flying Dog flag, Table for Two is a collaborative effort between the Frederick brewery and Baltimore’s The Brewer’s Art. Both breweries are landmarks in the Maryland craft beer scene and this limited release is hopefully a sign of more great things from the pair of companies to come.
Traditionally, a Belgian table beer is a low alcohol brew (1% – 1.5% ABV) that was served with meals (and schools apparently). While this particular product weighs in at 5% ABV, the concept behind something a bit more quaffable, light on the palate and refreshing to accompany dinner is cool by me. Embodying tradition with an American flare, the brew is a well balanced accompaniment to a tasty dinner, or late afternoon snack of cheese and crackers.
Appearance
Table for Two pours a hazy, golden amber with a one-finger, white head that fell slowly to a thin ring.
Aroma
Bready, biscuity malts form a solid backbone for wildflower honey, light fruity esters and a bit of spicy hops to come together naturally.
Taste
Right along with the nose, Table for Two is light on the palate with a late forming moderate hop bitterness in the clean and lingering finish. The combination of biscuity malts, natural honey and the Belgian yeast makes for an easy drinking and refreshing beer. The addition of the citrusy, hop bite toward the latter half of the beer isn’t enough to overwhelm the palate or make it too hoppy — it’s just enough to give the beer an American touch along with the traditional Belgian pale ale presentation.
Overall
I enjoyed this brew with a light snack in the afternoon, but I can certainly see it accompanying just about any meal you can pull together. It’s clean on the palate, refreshing and light enough on the alcohol that it’s fairly quaffable though not really a “sessionable” product. I love the wildflower honey within this beer. It’s not strong enough to demand too much attention, but adds that certain something that gives the beer natural, delicate character. I will most certainly be on the lookout for this beer throughout the Summer.
Rating: 4/5
