Boulevard Brewing The Sixth Glass
I’ve had a few Belgian Quadrupels in my time. In fact, I list a few of them as some of my all-time favorite brews — Rocheforte, St. Bernardus for example and I always seem to have Ommegang’s Three Philosophers in the cellar. That said, I’ve probably had more American brewed Quads than I have had those from Belgium and one thing that I’ve noticed in just about all of them is their over-reliance on the alcohol and a cloying sweetness (which are expected in this style to a degree). With the exception of a few, most also lack a certain refinement to them.
Having recently discovered Boulevard Brewing products at a couple of local shops, it was pretty much a no brainer for me to pick up their own version of the Quadrupel. The Sixth Glass is a 10.5% ABV beer that’s named after one of Hans Christian Andersen’s short stories entitled “The Watchman of the Tower.” I suggest you find it online and read it (it’s short so the most ADD afflicted of you shouldn’t have a problem with it) as it is an interesting back story for the beer that is both a lesson and a cautionary tale.
When compared to the range of beers of this style, I’d say that this particular one rests comfortably in the middle. It’s not overly boozy or cloying, but not quite as refined as some of the classics that I love so much. It is, however, a big brew that is tasty and richly complex.
Appearance
The Sixth Glass pours a reddish amber in color with a tawny head that dropped slowly to a thin collar.
Aroma
Dark fruit (raisin), caramel, candi sugar, peppery yeast and booze combine for a decadent nose.
Taste
This is a big beer with big flavors that are layered and rich. Roast malt, caramel, candi sugar, fig and raisin greet you initially before leading through a subtle hop bitterness and into the glowing warmth of the finish. The alcohol is certainly present though not overly so and there is a good bit of sweetness, but again, it’s more complimentary than distracting. The brew is medium bodied with a fairly active carbonation.
Overall
Boulevard Brewing’s The Sixth Glass is a brew that is bold, layered, potent and was a joy to slowly sip on the other night. It’s tasty fresh, but I would love to try it again after the brew has had some time to mellow and come together in the cellar — in fact, I do believe I’ll pick up some more this week to set aside. While not as fully refined as some of my favorites, this Quadrupel will certainly make future appearances in the house.
Rating:4/5
