AleSmith Horny Devil
I like a good Belgian strong golden ale and AleSmith have a pretty solid interpretation with their Horny Devil. This 10% ABV brew is crafted with a Trappist yeast strain, candi sugar and coriander. And like many of the traditional examples of this beer, the word “devil” appears within its moniker — so it’s already off to a good start.
Horny Devil is about as good a take on a Belgian-style strong golden as you’re going to find in the states. It’s got a wonderfully earthy and hearty character that was surprising. It’s not as cloyingly sweet as many of its peers. And it’s a beer that I plan on grabbing more of for a little cellaring. I think it will do well with some more time in the bottle.
Appearance
The beer pours a brilliant golden amber in color with a small cap of dense white foam.
Aroma
Yeast, honey, grain, stone fruits, soft banana and distant spices all combine for a darn good smelling beer.
Taste
Horny Devil is a darn good beer with big flavor. Grain, honey, yeast, stone fruits, banana, booze and spices are all in play here. It’s a hearty beer from start to warming finish. It’s nearly full-bodied with a great overall personality. There’s a moderate sweetness that fades slowly within the lasting finish.
Overall
This is the type of beer that I plan on drinking throughout the colder Winter months ahead. It’s warming, full flavored and definitely has potential for cellaring well. Now, where did my wallet go?
Rating: 4/5
