I didn’t really see a thread for this, and I thought it might be a helpful thing to have. Really anything, but reviews of beers and such might be nice.
Right now, I’m drinking: “Orabelle” by Great Divide (CO). Tripel-style American ale, 8.20%, unknown pluto and IBUs.
I Say: Like almost everything else by Great Divide, it’s really great, but like almost everything else by Great Divide, it’s hard to drink at the end of the night. Shrugging off the company’s previous pattern of super-specific labels in favor of the very basic “Belgian-style ale,” Orabelle is, in reality, made in the style of a “tripel,” judging by the flavor. As rich as someone familiar with Great Divide might expect, it can feel a little more syrupy than “nuanced” after a night out at the bars. Then again, this is the sort of thing you should expect from a tripel, so for what it is, it’s actually not as overwhelming as it could be. It’s very spice-forward, with clove and coriander more noticeable than fruits or sugars, and only gets really sweet, pear and caramel, in the aftertaste. The mouthfeel is still syrupy, though, and feels particularly thick if your mouth is dry at the start. Overall, it’s a beer I like a lot, and I’d gladly recommend it, but it’s a beer to start a night with, not a beer to end a night with. Definitely pour it in a glass to bring out the carbonation and mitigate the syrupy qualities.
The Bottle Says to Pair it with: It pairs well with prosciutto or salami, roasted Brussels sprouts, Flemish beef stew, Gorgonzola cheese, and pecan pie.
I say: I think it goes nice with a salty pesto, so I can see prosciutto/salami/gorgonzola, and I could see a lemon/garlic roast or some savory hazlenut shenanigans working out great with the Brussels sprouts. I would not ever recommend this beer with a dessert as sweet as pecan pie, though, even as someone who really likes both. I’d think something tart and rich like cheesecake or certain cobblers. If I get an off-the-wall-specific suggestion like “Flemish beef stew,” I’d say a Nectarine Brown-butter Buckle, a fantastic butter cake topped with fruit, is the perfect desert, but old-fashioned/biscuit style shortbreads could have good results, too.