Flying Fish Exit 4
I’ve only had one other beer our of Flying Fish’s Exit Series. Their Exit 1 was a unique stout that I liked a good deal. Exit 4 is the inaugural beer released in the series, but this is the first that I’d seen it anywhere around town.
This American take on a Belgian Tripel is brewed with a few different malts (Malto Franco-Belge Pils Malt, Weyerman Acidulated, White Wheat, Demerara Sugar) and a nice blend of hop varieties (Simcoe, Columbus, Palisades, Amarillo ). The beer weighs in at 9.5% ABV and carries a wonderfully hoppy character that is bright and refreshing.
Appearance
Exit 4 pours a golden color with a fluffy white head. It certainly looks like a tripel.
Aroma
While the fruity and grassy hops tend to dominate the nose a touch, there’s also a hint of funky yeast, light banana and a subtle herbal spiciness.
Taste
The flavors throughout this beer are bright. Fruity hops combine with a light yeasty funk. The hops also carry a nice level of spicy bite that goes well with the medium bodied (slightly slick) mouthfeel. There’s a moderate level of malty sweetness in the mix, as well.
Overall
This is definitely an Americanized version of a Tripel. The level of hops isn’t huge, but they certainly are influential on the palate, keeping this brew from representing something more true to the style. I enjoyed the level of hops in this brew — their presence definitely makes this brew something more unique.
Rating:3.75/5