Beau’s All Natural Brewing Company The Spice Principle Spice / Herb / Vegetable at 5.6% ABV | 20 IBU (C$6.02 at NLC Stavanger, 600 ml, packaged on 16-Aug-2017, acquired 30-Sep-2017, reviewed 6-Oct-2017)
Appearance: hazy straw with one fat finger of fluffy white head diminishing gradually to a thick persistent cap, spotty lacing. (4/5) Aroma: coriander, pepper, mustard, ginger, nutmeg – oh, hell, the entire spice cabinet – and some banana and bubblegum. (7/10) Taste: moderate-high spice, moderate sweet, low bitter. (7/10) Medium body, moderate carbonation, lingering warming spicy finish. (4/5)
I’m not generally a big fan of spiced beers, except perhaps in the depths of winter, by a roaring fire, while deep in the grip of a maudlin combination of solstice cheer and seasonal affective disorder. And, since I was outside in a T-shirt today, nah, not so much. And, holy hell, that’s a lot of spice! (The brewer notes indicate coriander, turmeric, cumin, fenugreek, cayenne, black pepper, yellow mustard, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and nutmeg – and yes, I’m getting all of that. Except maybe “fenugreek.” What the hell’s fenugreek?) I waffled wildly on the aroma and taste scores for this one, all the way from 5 to 8 for each. Ultimately, though, this is interesting and well done, if not everybody’s cup of tea. (14/20)
7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
