It has been a while since I really reflected back on where craft beer
started in my life and where it is today. Less than two decades for
me, when you hear of a craft brewer celebrating their 19th anniversary
it is damn amazing. The masses certainly did not have a clue about
beer let alone that craft beer even existed 19 years ago and from
memory imports and a beer called Samuel Adams Lager from Boston were
all the rage. Wow, 19 years. A young age within the beer industry but
certainly becoming mature as far as the modern craft segment beer
goes.

To celebrate 19 years Deschutes Brewery released a special 19th
Anniversary Golden Ale of Belgian style. Its their first go for a
Belgian, both American and European hops were used and a base of
French Pilsner malt with Belgian candy sugar which help bump it up to
8.7% abv.

Nice white head off of a firm pour, the head drops down to a thin ring
of lace and tosses a patch here and there on the glass. The clarity is
bright and golden with a few bubbles racing to the top. Wildflower,
herbal and grassy hop aroma and a cake-like malt character with a
following of alcohol that brings a hint of tropical fruit to the nose.
Thick medium body that holds hard onto the crispness as it rolls
around in the mouth. Enough malt backbone to keep this beer together
for the duration. Heavy bite from the hop bitterness and alcohol mix.
Big spicy herbal hop flavor jockeys for the top layer. Hints of ripe
pineapple and papaya come through as does remnants of yeast and some
herbal phenols. Finishes big with a bittersweet finale.

Very well done, a great Belgian-style ale with a splash of American
boldness thrown in for extra measure. Meaning, it has a bit more body
for the style but is able to pull it off. I raise my glass to
Deschutes Brewery for their 19th and this beer is certainly worthy for
that occasion.

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For more info:
http://www.deschutesbrewery.com/