#267: Allagash Brewing » Victor (Belgian Strong Ale)

Allagash Brewing » Victor (Belgian Strong Ale brewed with Cabernet Franc grapes)
ABV: 9.0% | Rating: 8.9

Allagash was one of those beers that I started getting into when I first was getting into craft beer... but then they dropped out of distributing in Upstate NY. Over the last few years, I've always grabbed a bottle of White or Black when I can find them, even scoring a bottle of 2012 Interlude that I'll be cracking into shortly. Luckily enough, some friends from NYC gifted me this bottle of Victor, for my birthday. Low and behold, two weeks later Allagash is back in Upstate and the fridge is filling up.

Victor, the Cabernet Franc counterpart to their Chardonnay-brewed Victoria, pours up with a copper, bubbly body, crowned with a thick, lacy ivory head. A highly aromatic nose, blooming red grape, pepper, and yeast notes.

On to the palate, this beer is quite elegant. Sweet, soft grape and grape skin flavors are abundant, flirting with notes of caramel and even white pepper. Incredibly easy drinking for a 9% - honestly drinks like a session beer, but with far more complexity of course.

Victor inspires thoughts of a more demure cousin to Dogfish Head's hybrid gallery - mildy yeasty, that's tastefully tart and spicy.

In addition to this being a solid brew, it benefits the St. Lawrence Arts Center, through the not-for-profit group which is renovating the granite and slate church the center calls home.

Good beer with a good cause. What's not to like?