On our most recent trip to Maine, we stopped by the Allagash brewery one afternoon for a tour and tasting.
The tasting was pretty standard, as brewery tours go. They poured samples of White, Triple, Curieux and Victor. I hadn't had Victor yet. It tasted like a dry dubbel. Others in our party were pretty overwhelmed by the Curieux. I think I probably had the equivalent of 3 beers from the tasting (as I took much of Mandy's leftovers).
After the tasting, they took us on a tour of the brewery floor and the barrel aging room (first picture above). They actually had two separate barrel rooms, one that held Curieux and Bourbon Black, one with everything else. Each room had a distinct smell (whiskey in the first, more musty in the second). I geeked out too much in the second room and forgot to take a picture. There were barrels of various Coolships and other beers with ridiculous names, which the guide said would probably never be released.
Before we left for Maine, we met some friends at Meridian Pint, where there were 10 million Allagash beers on tap. [no pictures]
Bourbon Black: Very good. The bourbon was subtle. Very good.
Confluence: This was really delicious. Slightly funky and lemony. I would definitely get this again. Downside: bottles are usually $18 around here.
Victoria: Sweet. The aftertaste was reminiscent of wine. Eh.
