Appearance: Stained oak.
Brilliantly clear. Thick, bumpy
head and beautiful lace (4.75/5).
Aroma: Immediately following the pour I pick up some
acidity from the Brettanomyces. Once
that settles out a bit, the aroma becomes very earthy. It’s like fresh cut apples in a flower
shop. I could smell this all day (4.5/5).
Taste: So many layers to pick apart… the earthy
character does not taste old and damp; it’s bright and alive. As it warms flavors like pepper, smoke, wood,
and chalk come and go. Fresh and
funky. The Brett has dried this beer out
considerably, and there is a nice hop bit in the aftertaste (4.75/5).
Mouthfeel: Medium body, medium carbonation. There is also a touch of puckering quality
from the wood flavor (4.5/5).
Overall: This is the
first Belgian Pale Ale I’ve had with Brett in it, and I absolutely love
it. It is an amazing beer and was
perfectly timed in this project. I understand
this style well enough now to know what the rules are, and what Mikkeller has
done to intentionally break them. Årh Hvad?! is
apparently Mikkeller’s tribute to Orval
(it’s actually pronounced similar to Orval
in Danish), and translates to “oh what?!”
The base is perfectly in line with the style, and the wild yeast adds a
lively personality. I am enamored with
it (4.75/5).
-Matt
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