Oct 21, 2013

Dark Horse Sapient Trip Ale

Back in August, I happened across a bottle of Dark Horse Brewing Crooked Tree IPA and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was my first beer from the Michigan company and proved to be a solid introduction, as well as an excuse to now lookout for other products from the brewery. As luck would have it, I crossed paths with another bottle from Dark Horse — their 9.5% ABV Sapient Trip Ale.

I don’t know too much about this beer other than it is brewed with a Trappist yeast strain. Beyond that, all that I know is what I taste. And what I tasted I’m not sure belonged in a beer of this style.

Appearance

Hazy amber in color, the beer sits with a dense crown of tawny foam.

Dark Horse Sapient Trip Ale

Aroma

The nose is rather subdued with hints of yeast, distant fruits, spices and soft bready malts.

Taste

Well, the flavors of Sapient Trip Ale are anything but subdued as sweet malt, stone fruits, yeast and a touch of light sourness will the mouth. There wasn’t a bottle date present so I’m not sure how old this brew was, but it tasted a little older than it probably should. There is an herbal note to the beer as well as a warming, medicinal trait in the lightly sour finish.

Overall

I’m not 100% sure about this beer. There’s something not quite right with it. It could be a slightly off bottle or just the way the yeast is coming across, but the touch of sourness present intrigues. It’s a big, boozy beer that’s for sure and should be enjoyed slowly. I may have to pick up another bottle for comparison and see how the flavors play out.

Rating: 3/5

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