Name: Mandolin
Style: Tripel
Brewery: Blue Mountain Brewery website
Country: USA
Region: Afton, Virginia
ABV: 9.0% abv
How served: 750ml corked and caged poured into my Piraat snifter.
My Overall Opinion: Good + 
1/2
I paired this beer with: Crab cakes with mango pineapple salsa and watermelon arugula salad.
Tasted on: Thursday February 14, 2013
Notes: Best by March 2013 stamped on the cork
There was a muted hiss as the cork was pulled out of the bottle. The poured a mostly clear golden-amber with a 1 ½ off white head which left almost no lacing on my glass.
The nose had hints of yeast, pepper, apples, sweet malts and earthy tones.
The taste started off a bit earthy, spicy and peppery. Midway thought I picked up some light apple and citrus notes as well as some sweetness. The finish was clean and dry with no evidence of the 9% abv.
The body was medium and slightly tacky as the carbonation level was lower than anticipate.
Overall the drinkability was good and paired well with my dinner.
On the Label: A deep golden beer born of a single malt. Balance derived from whole-flower hops. Created from water drawn deep beneath the feet of the world’s oldest mountains. Flavor driven by a faithful dedication to excess. All brought to life by yeast from a holy place. Great beer is a riddle that does not need to be solved!
100% bottle refermented. Store cool and upright to keep in peak condition and avoid disturbing naturally settled yeast.
STATISTICS
Alc 9% by Vol. 34 IBU’s 21.6° Plato
Proudly brewed and bottled in the heart of Virginia. Blue Mountain Barrel House, LLC
495 Cooperative Way Arrington, Nelson County, Va 22922
Sister Beer:
Steel Wheels E.S.B. What’s this? Find out at www.bluemountainbarrel.com
From their website:
Mandolin Artisanal Ale
24° Plato, 50 IBUs, and 10% ABV
(Note different Plato, IBU & %ABV listed on bottle)
A pale beer born of a single malt. Balance derived from whole-flower hops. Created from water drawn deep beneath the feet of the world’s oldest mountains. Flavor driven by a faithful dedication to excess. All brought to life by yeast from a holy place. Great beer is a riddle that does not need to be solved!
Available as long as each batch lasts, March-July.
