Day 79: 03.20.10 Mikkeller Chinook Single Hop IPA

Mikkeller

brewed at De Proef Brouwerij
Municipality of Lochristi
Province of East Flanders
Region of Flemish, Belgium


Chinook Single Hop India Pale Ale


Style: American India Pale Ale
Availability: ?
Format: 330ml
ABV: 6.9%


Bottle text & Info:
The newest in a line of sporadically released single hop IPA's from the most famous homebrewers in Europe.


Tasting Notes:
Pours a hazy burnt apricot color with a two finger off white head that retains quite well. Smells of tart citrus and earth. Medium mouthfeel explodes forward with some toasty malt, some orange notes, pine and a good dose of white pepper prickling on the finish. I heard someone mention that this reminded them of an old school west coast IPA. I think that description is pretty appropriate and about sums this one up. A pretty clear look at one of the US's most prominent high alpha acid hops.

Day 51. 02.20.10 Van Twee (De Proef/Bell's Collaboration)

De Proef Brouwerij (bvba Andelot)
Municipality of Lochristi
Province of East Flanders
Region of Flemish


De Proef Brewmasters Collaboration Series.
Van Twee: A collaboration featuring John Mallet of Bell's Brewing Inc. (Kalamazoo, Michigan) and Dirk Naudts of De Proef Brouwerij


Style: Dark Belgian Ale
Availability: Limited - One Time Brew
Format: 750ml
ABV: 7.5%


Bottle text & Info

Tasting Notes: 
"Van Twee" is Flemish for "from two." just puttin' it out there. Pretty awesome collaboration here. Let's have a taste. Pours incredibly dark, nearly black with a billowing tan head. Shows good retention with big sticky lacing. Big earthy nose, with some oak and vinegar making way for dominant dark cherry. Growing up in the frozen tundra of Michigan and the cherry capital of the world - the smell is sweet sweet nostalgia. Mouthfeel is medium to full body with some interesting porter and flemish notes. Pretty accurate when the press-release described this as a mash up of porter and dubbel styles. Starts out with some tart cherry juice coupling with subtle bretts and vinegar followed by more cherry interlaced with some roasted barley/chocolate notes - finishing dry. An incredible pulling together of styles that is masterfully done. Key trademarks of Flemish sours, Belgian Dubbels and American Porters are all pulled together by tart dark cherry. A really awesome sipper and a true one-of-a-kind experience.