Blue Mountain Barrel House Local Species

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 7

Picked up a growler at Whole Foods in Arlington. Lovely ruddy brown color with a pretty cap that quickly resolves to lace across the surface and down the side of the glass. Honey aroma with orange (fruit, not peel) and a hint of honeysuckle: a very sweet nose that makes me think of summer. The orange and honeysuckle are also present in the flavor, though thankfully not quite so sweet as they smell. Very mild, hardly any bitterness, easy drinking. The yeast isn't as big a player as I expect in a Belgian, and that's a little disappointing. Wet and not too heavy. Would give this a higher rating were it not for the slight metallic aftertaste. UPDATE: On the second go 'round, I detected some grape in both the aroma and flavor. The metallic aftertaste was gone, it was more bitter than I remembered. Overall, I liked it a bit better and I'm nudging up the flavor score.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

I picked this beer up from the Wine Gourmet in Roanoke, VA. I was really into this beer but not at first. It has some clove elements and tasts better as it warms a bit. This beer tasted like a hopped up wild ale .. Funky on the nose and palate. If I am being honest, the barrel aging wasn't there for me ... Unless I am mistaking the "clove" for the barreling. In any, event, it was subdued to say the least. All in all, a very nice beer. I will have it again.