Phillips Anxiety Ale Belgian Quad

Brewer: Phillips Brewing, Victoria, BC
Style: Belgian Quadruple Ale
ABV: 8.0%
IBUs: Unlisted

Description: This seasonal release honors the holiday season, specifically the stress that is too commonly involved! Brewed in the traditional style of Belgian Quadruple Ale (with a twist) it employs barley and wheat malts that are then fortified with Candi sugar.

Tasting Notes: I was a bit perplexed by this ale. Sure, the bottle says Quadruple, but between the alcohol strength (Belgian-style Quadruples are usually in the 10-13% range), and its taste, it seemed far more akin to a strong Marzen, or possible a Dubbel. A nice and highly drinkable beer, but one which feels mislabeled.

Appearance: Deep amber, clear, good foam retention and carbonation
Nose: Rich, toasty malts, mild sugars, hint of minerals,  
Taste: Rich malt, chewy mouthfeel, minerals and mild caramelized sugars
Aftertaste: Lingering caramelized malt, minerals, mild alcohol bite
Overall: 7.8/10

Townsite Barrel Aged Cardena Belgian Quad 2016

Brewer: Townsite Brewery, Powell River, BC
Style: Quadruple Ale
ABV: 10.5%
IBUs: 30

Description: The third installment in their “Hulk Series” – named for the decommissioned vessels that make up the floating breakwater in Powell River – Cardena is a Belgian-style Quadrupel ale. And since 2015, they have be re-releasing this ale as part of the breweries new barrel-aged lineup, where established brews are aged in whiskey barrels.

Tasting Notes: I loved Cardena when I first tried it. In fact, it would be fair to say that it was one of the best beers I had in 2014. So I was a little intrigued and surprised by the addition of the barrel-aging process, which I’ve had mixed experiences with. In this case, the end resuilt was interesting, but a bit perplexing. On the one hand, you have all that was great about the Cardena. A strong Abbey-style ale rich with notes of brown sugar, dates, raisins, and figgy pudding.

But add to that the bite of whiskey and the end result was (and I’m not bullshitting here) a bit like blue cheese! It was the oddest thing, getting a taste I immediately recognized but couldn’t quite place. And then I remembered the last time i had hot wings or a spinach salad! Ordinarily, I love blue cheese, but not so much in my beer. So I had to give this one a slightly mixed review. Great to be branching out, but 2016’s Barrel aged Cardena is not quite what I was hoping for.

Appearance: Deep brown, clear, good foam retention and carbonation
Nose: Strong malt, brown sugar, whiskey, dark fruits, spices, alcohol, yeast
Taste: Rich malt, immediate whiskey bite, blue cheese, sugar, dark fruits, alcoholic bite
Aftertaste: Lingering whiskey, malt, cheesy flavor, alcoholic warmth
Overall: 7.2/10

Sound Entendez Noel Belgian Style Pale Quadrupel

Brewer: Sound Brewery, Poulsbo, WA
Style: Belgian-style Quadrupel
ABV: 10.6%
IBUs: 50

Description: This special seasonal release is part of the Sound brewery’s Belgian-style lineup. It is fashioned using Belgian Pilsner malt, bittered with Motueka hops, and then fermented with cane sugar and Trappist yeast to create a strong, fruity, hoppy, and balanced quadrupel.

Tasting Notes: Another Advent Beer Calender offering, one which comes from Washington and is Belgian-inspired. Like a good quadrupel, it delivers in the flavor department with plenty of strong malt, brown sugar, and dark fruit flavor. However, there is also an interesting twist added by some Pacific Northwest hops that add some pineapple notes and hop bitterness. And of course, its got quite the alcoholic bite, but manages to remain smooth and fruity throughout.

Appearance: Amber, cloudy, good foam retention and carbonation
Nose: Rich malt, sugars, floral hops, citrus, raisins, tropical fruit, alcohol
Taste: Smooth malt, brown sugar, yeast, raisins, dates, pineapple, alcoholic bite
Aftertaste: Lingering alcoholic warmth, yeast, malt and fruit
Overall: 9/10