Nov 1, 2012

Allagash Fluxus 2012

Earlier this week, in my review for a bottle of 2011 Fluxus I had mentioned that I also had run across a 2012 bottling of the Allagash-brewed limited release. Knowing that there’s still a solid chance to get another bottle for cellaring, I decided to crack open the latest version of the beer and give it a go.

This 7.7% ABV Saison is brewed with spelt (hulled wheat) and green and pink peppercorns. It’s also apparently fermented with a yeast strain that Brouwerij De Dolle employs, though on which beer I am not sure. The result is a light bodied, peppery/spicy brew that reminds me a good deal of Baladin Nora, but with less of an exotic flavor profile.

Appearance

Fluxus 2012 pours golden amber in color with a large, frothy stack of white foam that fell slowly, leaving behind excellent lacing.

Aroma

The beer smells great as a touch of spicy hops, peppercorn and yeast come together with a subtle hint of funk in the background. Cereal, grain and herbal notes are also present.

Taste

This is a tasty saison. The green and pink peppercorns provide a peppery bite that blends well with the yeasty character and the hop notes that linger gently in the semi-dry finish. Biscuity malt and cereal, along with a slight sweetness, provide a stable backbone for it all. There are also hints of fruit (apple) within the beer’s depths that shines through here and there. The beer is medium bodied and refreshing without a hint of alcohol to be found, though it does bring a light glowing warmth as the beer has had a chance to it in the glass and open up a bit.

Overall

It’s not as refined or as traditional as, say, a Saison Dupont, but the subtle and delicate nature of this brew from Allagash is every bit as tasty. It’s soft peppery character works wonderfully with the yeast selection and the addition of a hint of hop bitterness in the back end. I will definitely be picking up more of this.

Rating: 4.25/5

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