Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Tuesday Night Tasting - Redhook Brewery: 8-4-1 Expedition



Redhook Ale Brewery – Portsmouth, NH / Seattle, WA
8-4-1 Expedition American-Style Imperial Brown Ale
9.5% ABV, 55 IBU, 1pt 6oz

I’ve had this bottle in my beer fridge for a few weeks, waiting for the right time to sample it, and that time was last night. Although this is a Spring/Summer Limited Release beer, it has a shelf life of up to one year!



As you can see, the beer pours a dark but soft amber color, with a medium white head. The smell is a rich, full, and fragrant blend of malt, caramel, and a bit sweet, as the 8-4-1 is oak aged and brewed with honey. The taste is heavy on malts, but had a subtle sweetness to match its aroma. It also has hints of maple too, likely picked up by the oak barrels. The 8-4-1 Expedition has a full mouth feel, and leaves a moderate aftertaste.

The beer is reminiscent of a Belgian double or tripel, as it is high in alcohol. It certainly packs a punch, and like many of the bombers I’ve had, are best as a once in a while brew.

If you haven't made the trip to Portsmouth, NH, (as with most breweries we've visited) I definitely recommend it. Sarah and I went Brew Trippin' in Portsmouth last year, and had a great time! It's a cool town, with a lot to do!

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