The Grizzly Paw Brewing Company / Dandy Brewing Company Cliff Hanger Collab Belgian Ale at 6.4% ABV | 16 IBU (C$7.49 at Quarry Park Calgary Co-Op, 650 ml, bottle date 17-Nov-2016, acquired 14-Feb-2017, reviewed 16-Feb-2017)
Appearance: deep brown with one finger of rocky beige head, good retention and lacing. (4/5) Aroma: mild/muted, roasty malts, coffee, grass, faint liquorice. (4/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter. (5/10) Palate: medium-light body tending slightly watery, moderate carbonation, off-dry short duration finish. (3/5)
Well, that’s a bit of a muddled mess. “Dishwater” might be a bit harsh, but I’ve certainly had better. The label claims the “sweet and toasty notes of a Belgian Pale Ale with a hint of licorice” but that’s not how it’s coming across for me: I’m getting sharp yet thin roasted malt character over weedy grass hops, on a thinnish body. It’s all the more disappointing because it’s actually a pretty good-looking beer – and for that matter, structurally it’s not bad, either. It’s just that the flavours are really not working for me. (11/20)
5.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
